Brands! I Hate When You Use the 'Make America Great Again' Message

It’s everywhere. Brands, in an attempt to be bold, rebellious, and oh-so-clever, are recycling a message that carries more baggage than a lost suitcase at JFK: Make America Great Again.

I get it. It’s easy. It’s recognizable. It sparks a reaction. But that’s exactly the problem. Instead of crafting something original, brands are taking the lazy route—tapping into political polarization and hoping that controversy will turn into conversions.

The Copycat Syndrome

Scroll through your social feeds, and you’ll find countless brands playing with some variation of MAGA. Make Sneakers Great Again. Make Coffee Great Again. Make Burgers Great Again. It’s the same formula: take a product, slap it onto a well-known phrase, and call it marketing. But is it really? Where’s the originality? Where’s the wit?

A Marketing Tactic or a Political Statement?

In today’s climate, there’s no neutral ground. When brands use MAGA-inspired messaging, they’re not just making a playful reference—they’re taking a stance, whether they admit it or not. America (or the world) is increasingly divided, and this type of messaging forces consumers to see brands in red or blue. Are you with us or against us? Do you align with our ideals, or are you the enemy?

Consumers Don’t Want a Reminder

Here’s the thing: People buy products to feel good. They want escape, entertainment, and a reason to smile. Reminding them of one of the most divisive slogans in modern political history isn’t just risky—it’s annoying. It’s like pressing on a bruise just to see if it still hurts. Newsflash: it does. And no, making a pun out of it doesn’t make it any less exhausting.

Where’s the Creativity?

Marketing should be about storytelling, innovation, and crafting a voice that truly represents the brand. Relying on a worn-out political slogan doesn’t showcase creativity—it highlights the lack of it. If a copywriter’s best idea is to repurpose MAGA, maybe it’s time to rethink the strategy.

So, What’s the Alternative?

Instead of leaning on lazy, overused slogans, brands should find their own voice. There are millions of ways to be bold, rebellious, and attention-grabbing without falling into predictable tropes. Want to challenge the status quo? Do it with fresh ideas, not recycled rhetoric.

Final Thoughts

Brands, I’m talking to you. Not the copywriters who are probably rolling their eyes as they type another Make [insert product here] Great Again headline because their boss thinks it’s genius. I’m talking to the decision-makers, the strategists, the ones who should know better. Let’s move on. Be daring in a way that actually means something. Stop riding the coattails of controversy and start creating something worth remembering.

Thanks for coming to my TED Talk—err, my rant. Now, let’s get back to real creativity.