To understand the MAGA mindset, we must examine individuals who have never left their small towns yet wield significant influence on social media. These are people quick to share the latest conspiracy theories, shaping the political landscape in ways that often go unnoticed. I call this phenomenon the Savannah Effect.

Savannah is a southern girl whose father owned the local car dealership. Affluent by regional standards but far from billionaire wealth, she grew up in comfort. She has a few thousand Facebook friends and a well-curated online presence.

Savannah attended public school because private schools weren’t an option in her town. She was popular—pretty, well-mannered, eager to please. Her father’s status in the community only bolstered her appeal. Teachers adored her, not necessarily for her intellect, but for her charm and earnestness. Her parents were well-regarded, and she benefited from their reputation.

After high school, Savannah attended a local or flagship state university, earning a nursing degree. Many of her peers pursued education or communication degrees—fields that provided a respectable path but also served as a fallback for those destined to marry their high school sweethearts. That’s precisely what Savannah did. She returned home and married her longtime boyfriend, who is now selling cars for her father.

As a stay-at-home mom, Savannah filled her days caring for her children and engaging in community activities. Before fully embracing domestic life, she had worked part-time as a registered nurse for a local doctor—one of her father’s friends. While grateful for her comfortable life, Savannah craved something more. She longed to have a voice, to be part of something bigger.

The Allure of Knowing “The Truth”

Enter the internet and social media. Savannah discovered online communities discussing child trafficking, fueled by QAnon narratives. The idea of innocent children in danger stirred something in her. Outraged and eager to help, she began sharing stories and “raising awareness.”

Her father and husband found her posts amusing but harmless, dismissing her newfound activism. However, others in their social circle—people who respected her family—took her words seriously. Her posts were shared widely (among her community), and soon, she became a local figure of influence.

This is where confirmation bias takes hold. People naturally seek information that aligns with their beliefs while ignoring conflicting evidence. Psychologist Leon Festinger described this phenomenon when he wrote, “A man with a conviction is a hard man to change.” The more Savannah engaged with these conspiracy theories, the more she believed them—reinforced by social media algorithms designed to prioritize content she already agreed with.

Her growing confidence in her “research” also reflects the illusion of explanatory depth, the tendency to believe we understand complex issues more deeply than we actually do. Savannah didn’t have an academic background in public health, law enforcement, or child welfare. But after a few hours of scrolling Facebook and reading blog posts, she was convinced she knew more than the so-called “experts.” As historian Daniel J. Boorstin warned, “The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance; it is the illusion of knowledge.”

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