This Irish Photographer Captured The Collapse Of MAGA
Niamh Barry is an Irish photographer who spent 3 November in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in the belly of the beast – the Republican Party midterm election watch-along. The scenes inside these walls mirrored those of the wider American political landscape. MAGA is over. New Mexico managed to retain its Democratic House and Senate seats; however, the sheer one-sidedness was a marker of a cultural shift.
How was the energy in the midterms throughout the night?
The energy was high when we arrived. People were pouring into the ballroom with T-shirts and posters. There was food and music in the room, which kept everyone going. Once the results started to come in, it was like the energy was sucked out of the room. The Republicans who organised it tried to keep the crowd going with music and brief speeches about not giving up just yet. They didn’t show the results on the TV after the first announcement, so everyone was glued to their phones. I think the pictures show what their reactions were like.
How was it to inhabit the belly of the beast and the centre of ideological MAGA?
It was wild being there and witnessing the fall of MAGA in real time. I’ll never forget it. The most shocking thing about being there was seeing a few individuals wearing Charlie Kirk T-shirts.
How was the energy on the streets and in day-to-day life versus in those rooms?
Surprisingly, here in the city, it was chill. Everyone, however, was talking about how Texas turned blue and mentioned the celebrations over there, as it’s the neighbouring state. It’s incredible what happened in Texas. It’s a huge turning point. But the Democrats have a lot of work to do and promises to fulfil. They need to take this opportunity and actually change things. But who knows if they will be successful? Raychel, my friend who is transgender, however, was beaming. She was hopeful that things would be safer for her as a transgender person in some of the states she storm-chases, hoping the anti-trans laws they have in those states collapse.
Why do you think they lost so badly?
They failed to fulfil promises they made, particularly for working-class people. Because of Trump’s actions in Iran, oil prices have increased, and a lot of people are angry about that as well as inflation. Less money in people’s pockets means they will vote the other way. Also, Trump’s ICE policies and what has happened with deportations. People have seen that he and the Republicans lack any sort of humanity and are full of lies. A lot of these candidates running were endorsed by him or supported him. Not all of them, but the majority.
Do you think you can apply what you saw to the wider country?
Although many Republicans and conservatives in Ireland will never change their minds about who they vote for and support, there are still many people who can and will change their minds. I believe we need to work with these people rather than against them. The left, we need to show humanity to conservatives in Ireland and try to speak to and understand them, even when they don’t show humanity to us. We also need to protect ourselves and know when to walk away from talking with people who are stubborn, dangerous and will never change their minds. But I hope someday I live in a lifetime where politics doesn’t debate people’s human rights. I’m not sure if I’ll ever live to see it. But I believe it’s so important to go out and do something to change things in Ireland and silence the far right because this vote showed that when you do take action and have passion for change, something positive can happen.
