The idea that "woke is dead" is gaining momentum in political discourse with cultural backlash against progressive forces. MIG Reports data shows 65% of voters reject "woke" ideology, labeling it divisive and elitist. This fall from vogue is demonstrated in figures like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez removing pronouns from her twitter bio.

It was all utter 💩💩💩 from day one.

Now they’ll all pretend they had nothing to do with it. https://t.co/RHlA2z40By

— Dave Rubin (@RubinReport) November 14, 2024

For many Americans, "woke" no longer signifies progress but a ridiculous and imposed distraction from pressing issues like inflation, national debt, and border security. Only 20% of those in online discussions maintain a positive view of woke themes like Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and choosing preferred pronouns. The prevailing perception is that its time has passed.

MIG Reports analysis shows:

• 65% of voters oppose woke ideology, citing societal fragmentation.
• 20% support woke principles, emphasizing equity and systemic reform.
• 78% express concerns about identity politics undermining meritocracy.

Transgender Ideology

One of the flashpoints in cultural discussions is transgender athletes in sports and education. A recent viral CNN exchange between Shermichael Singleton and Jay Michaelson demonstrated the cultural battleground. Singleton referred to transgender athletes as boys, sending the panel into chaos and hysterics.

I respect @abbydphillip but it’s not “transphobic” to state reality. A boy can’t magically become a girl through pronouns, drugs, or surgery—no matter how much @jaymichaelson says otherwise. @MrShermichael was right. Testosterone is not a social construct. pic.twitter.com/nytZaLOIqe

— Delano Squires (@DelanoSquires) November 9, 2024

Many viewers point out public backlash against forced speech, censorship, and a complete refusal to acknowledge reality among woke advocates. They use the liberal reactions on CNN as an example of how many Americans view transgender ideology as enforced by a cultural ruling class, who are now losing power.

• 70% of online discussions criticize trans ideology, with concerns centered on fairness in sports and girls’ safety.
• 20% advocate for transgender rights, emphasizing inclusion, and equality.

The most polarizing debates involve the conflict between transgender rights and women’s rights. Critics argue policies allowing transgender participation in women’s sports threaten hard-won opportunities for female athletes and put girls in harm’s way.

Corporate America and the Rollback of DEI

Corporations are also beginning to withdraw from DEI initiatives, signaling more tremors in the cultural landscape. Companies like Toyota, Boeing, Target, and Bud Light have been subject to boycotts and criticism for DEI complicity. This has caused many to abandon woke advertising and corporate policies.

Americans are making their voices heard against "woke capitalism," which they say causes businesses to pander to a woke progressive agenda that undermines traditional values. Culture war discussions celebrate the death of DEI programs, the return of “Merry Christmas,” and instances of progressives removing pronouns from social media bios.

Target has signs that say, “Merry Christmas” instead of “Happy Holidays.”

The Golden Era has begun. pic.twitter.com/DQVPnsEXVQ

— Brittany Martinez (@BritMartinez) November 7, 2024

Identity Politics in Media

Many say cultural Marxists are on the back foot, retreating from a decisive outcry against wokeism which was sealed with the 2024 election red wave. Those on the right view liberals removing pronouns as a sign of retreat. They say announcing pronouns is a kind of enforced ideological conformity which is no longer socially acceptable.

💭
My therapist colleagues are removing pronouns from their bios. What’s going on?
💭

— Tania Marshall 🇨🇦🇦🇺🇳🇿Psychotherapist Author (@TaniaAMarshall) November 15, 2024

Media narratives compound these tensions. There is overwhelming distrust toward mainstream outlets which advocate for progressive agendas and marginalize conservative voices. Recent reports that “The View” is searching for conservative voices, leads to both celebration and mockery of legacy media which people view as irredeemably out of touch and one-sided.

BREAKING: ABC News reportedly searching for conservative voices to balance the anti-Trump rhetoric spewed by the hosts on “The View.” pic.twitter.com/ErqxaFwtcA

— Leading Report (@LeadingReport) November 14, 2024

Rooting Out DEI Hires

Another theme in online discourse is celebration over removing woke figureheads from government positions. Memes and jokes circulate about Trump's cabinet picks generating outcry in the establishment and media over “unqualified” and “unserious” candidates. Meanwhile, liberal appointees receive severe mockery for the shocking number of woke LGBTQ activists in Democratic government.

Liberals: Pete Hegseth shouldn’t be taken seriously.

Also Liberals: pic.twitter.com/WlCQunhcmx

— THAT SOUTHERN DUDE (@TSDmemes) November 13, 2024

Culture critics who push back against the progressive alignment with woke ideology say it’s time to relegate LGBTQ activists back to the fringes, instead of elevating them to positions of power and influence. This growing rejection of identity and gender politics coincides with similar trends where Americans want a return to traditional values and more conventional ways of life.

We put up with shit like this, they can deal with Matt Gaetz. pic.twitter.com/BXgfIgscDw

— CHIZ 🇺🇸 (@CHIZMAGA) November 14, 2024

Discussion is growing around Social Security as Americans worry about the future. While Social Security is a crucial safety net for many, public discourse reveals concern about sustainability and a desire for reform. Americans are anxious about economic stability, intergenerational equity, and whether government leadership is trustworthy.

💯"We're pretending and lying to the American people that the social security funds that are extracted from their checks is sitting in a lock box...The money is taken out of your check now, and that money is then given to those people who are retiring now!" pic.twitter.com/1HPIZZwVg7

— Rep. Chip Roy Press Office (@RepChipRoy) November 12, 2024

Support with Concern

• Most Americans express loyalty and concern for Social Security, though the degree of apprehension varies.
• Roughly 55-70% of comments worry about the program’s long-term viability, fearing rising costs, inflation, and potential mismanagement could jeopardize future benefits.
• Many view Social Security as an essential pillar of American life that should be preserved, but question whether current economic conditions will allow it to sustain future retirees.
• Anxieties are amplified by discussions about inflation, with many calling for adjustments to benefits that better reflect the rising cost of living.

Reform and Modernization

• Americans who support Social Security largely agree on the need for reforms to secure its viability without compromising the core mission.
• Around 25% of voters want moderate reforms to improve efficiency, while another 15–20% urge for substantial overhauls.
• Proposals include raising the cap on taxable income, implementing means testing, and modernizing payment structures to adapt to demographic and economic shifts.
• Demands for reform are coupled with critiques of government waste and inefficiency, suggesting redirected funds could reinforce Social Security.

Generational Equity and Economic Tensions

• There is also a generational divide in viewpoints. Younger Americans, skeptical about the program’s sustainability, worry they may never receive benefits equal to their contributions.
• Some frame Social Security as a “pay-as-you-go” system at risk of insolvency due to shifting demographics and economic challenges.
• older generations emphasize that they have paid into the system throughout their working lives and deserve the benefits promised.
• Economic pressures also spark discussion about broader fiscal concerns like wage stagnation and inflation.

Political Divisions

Social Security discussions are further polarized along political lines, with partisan affiliations shaping views on reform.

• Conservatives typically favor budget restraint and cuts to ensure sustainability, while progressives advocate expanded benefits and funding.
• Recent reports reveal an added layer of division tied to leadership perceptions, with mixed expectations for Trump’s proposed efficiency-focused reforms.
• While some anticipate positive changes, others express doubts about the sincerity or impact of his administration’s policies.
• Discussions branch into related issues like tax policies and foreign aid, with some arguing resources allocated abroad could instead bolster Social Security.

Who is ready for tax cuts!?!?!
We are ending taxes on social security, tips, and overtime!

— Anna Paulina Luna (@realannapaulina) November 14, 2024

Technology and Government Distrust

A recurring theme across discussions is lack of trust in government.

• Many Americans doubt current government structures can effectively protect Social Security, citing past inefficiencies and instances of mismanagement.
• Skepticism extends across party lines, with people questioning whether promised reforms will genuinely strengthen the program.
• Some say technology could enhance Social Security’s resilience by streamlining operations, reducing administrative costs, and increasing transparency, thus potentially restoring public trust.

Several leftist figures from news media like Don Lemon, Joy Reid, and The Guardian have announced their plans to leave X (formerly Twitter). This dramatic exodus is occurring against a backdrop of significant upheaval in traditional media.

Online discussions often view rumors of CNN facing layoffs, Comcast potentially selling MSNBC, major ratings declines, and Chris Wallace jumping ship from CNN as dying last gasps of legacy media. Elon Musk’s comment that “You are the media now!” captures a growing sentiment that corporate media is no longer the power center of information.

This platform is at all-time highs.

You are the media now. https://t.co/8Zy049xGAh

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 13, 2024

Making a Dramatic Exit from X

Reactions to prominent left-leaning figures leaving X are varied, but mostly unified against those leaving. This is demonstrated in a resounding ratio on Don Lemon’s announcement video and claims that Lemon didn’t actually leave.

Here's why I'm leaving Twitter... pic.twitter.com/VIope68L2k

— Don Lemon (@donlemon) November 13, 2024

Much of the commentary is negative, criticizing Lemon and others for abandoning X in a useless protest of the inevitable evolution of news. The lesser number of positive comments still criticize the Guardian, Reid, and Lemon, saying the chaff is separating itself.

Joy Reid just deleted her X account 🤣 pic.twitter.com/sqwZyJkBYA

— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) November 14, 2024

63% Negative Sentiment

• Many view these exits from X as symptomatic of a biased new media who are incapable of withstanding opposing viewpoints.
• Negative comments accuse those leaving of running from the new reality of media, thus personifying legacy media’s failure to adapt and include all voices.
• People point out the shrinking pool of critical voices in media who are willing to hold politicians and institutions accountable. They say the leftist media would prefer to censor platforms like X, rather than integrate into the new media paradigm.

29% Positive or Neutral Sentiment

• About a third of responses voice approval over the X departures. They say it allows for new voices to emerge in an environment less dominated by leftist corporate media figures.
• This group says things like, “Good riddance to biased reporting” and “We need more diverse voices not tied to the mainstream.” They hope X will foster independent journalism not influenced by corporate or partisan forces.
• People view X under Elon Musk as a victory for free speech, seeing it as fertile ground for alternative perspectives and causing a tantrum among corporate media elites who are losing their grip on power.

8% Concerned Sentiment

• A smaller fraction of comments is ambivalent but acknowledges both the potential positives and negatives of these high-profile departures.
• There's a sense of uncertainty, as people grapple with the long-term impact on media quality and public discourse online.
• Many in this camp worry the total collapse of legacy media might contribute to ideological echo chambers and the proliferation of “misinformation.”

Declining Trust in Legacy Media

Reactions to these dramatic exits are compounded by an ongoing bloodbath in legacy media credibility.

• CNN Layoffs: Rumored CNN layoffs are seen as the continuation of a downward trend for legacy news, which struggles to maintain relevance post-election.
• Comcast Selling MSNBC: Reports that Comcast is looking to sell MSNBC reinforces beliefs that news outlets have lost their once-powerful influence.
• Ratings Declines: Major networks are reporting significant rating drops over the past year, further decimating the sentiment of distrust among viewers.
• Reshaping News: A major news figure like Chris Wallace leaving CNN and saying podcasts are the future also indicates growing realizations within media ranks of the shifting reality.

More Americans say legacy media is out of touch with and fixated on advancing specific agendas rather than delivering reliable news. Increasingly, people are opting for independent and grassroots media sources, which they find on platforms like X and view as more genuine and less beholden to corporate interests.

Independent and Decentralized Media

Americans, particularly those on the right, place more trust in independent and decentralized media channels that bypass legacy gatekeepers. They want platforms where their perspectives can be freely shared without censorship or derision.

• Direct Channels: Figures like Joe Rogan and Tucker Carlson have built large followings by leveraging podcasts and social media as direct channels for unfiltered commentary. People see these figures as better alternatives to biased traditional media.
• Free Speech: Many Americans see decentralized platforms like X as essential to free speech. By allowing diverse voices without institutional curation, platforms like X provide what voters feel is a more balanced discourse.
• User Engagement Data: Social media engagement metrics show a steady increase in user participation on independent platforms, with conservative audiences comprising a significant portion of these active users.

The embrace of alternative media reflects a rejection of legacy media’s perceived elitism and disconnect from mainstream America. Online discourse confirms the sentiment as people move away from television news to online platforms.

Media Viewership vs. 𝕏

Trends indicate that people are moving away from the legacy media. pic.twitter.com/rhTnUdNdCH

— DogeDesigner (@cb_doge) November 8, 2024

Participatory Media

Musk’s “You are the media now” sentiment embodies the shift toward participatory media, which empowers individual users over institutional authorities. As a result, more Americans feel they have a direct role in shaping political discourse, further diminishing legacy media’s influence.

• Public Response: Many conservative voters view Musk’s statement as a call to action, empowering them to contribute directly to the public discourse.
• Participation: By eliminating traditional gatekeepers, participatory media encourages a free flow of ideas, allowing the people to interact directly with rich and powerful influencers like Elon Musk and Joe Rogan.
• Future Outlook: Many say legacy media will continue to lose relevance as younger generations abandon traditional institutions. They say the 2024 election sealed the fate of legacy institutions which were already crumbling.