The Bulwark Podcast Ashley St. Clair and Cameron Kasky: Leaving the MAGA Cult
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Mar 17, 2026 
Cameron Kasky, youth activist and March for Our Lives co‑founder turned human‑rights advocate, and Ashley St. Clair, former right‑wing influencer now speaking out about leaving MAGA and legal fights over AI image abuse. They discuss life inside conservative influencer networks, doubts and disengagement from MAGA, AI image manipulation and lawsuits, first‑hand reporting from the West Bank, and related U.S. policy debates.
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How Ashley Became A Right Wing Influencer
- Ashley St Clair began political influence on campus at age 18 through Young Americans for Liberty and Turning Point events.
- She went viral by replying to high-profile Democrats on Twitter, which rapidly grew her followers and led to speaking invites.
Inside The Right Wing Influencer Economy
- Ashley supported right-wing events and worked behind the scenes on campaigns while maintaining ordinary salaried jobs.
- She describes a funded influencer ecosystem where wealthy donors and dark-money groups pay for messaging and cabinet endorsements.
What It Felt Like To Be In Elon Musk's Orbit
- Ashley met Elon Musk after mutual contacts and spending time in his orbit; she found him intellectually engaging when she was mid-20s.
- That closeness exposed her to wealth and power that later changed her view of capitalism and politics.