Echoes of Appalachia

In the hollers and winding roads of Appalachia, where coal once reigned and communities often feel forgotten, a political red wave has swept through in recent years, one defined by the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement in 2017 and in 2024 Elections. But as the embers of populist fervor burn, the question remains: Can Appalachia survive and even thrive under the banner of a movement that both energizes and divides? This time around, we are only six months in and it’s not looking good.

The relationship between Appalachia and the MAGA movement is not as straightforward as red versus blue. Many residents, often skeptical of both major parties, saw in the movement a brash, disruptive force that echoed their own disillusionment with decades of economic decline and political neglect. The rhetoric about forgotten Americans struck a chord in towns hollowed out by globalization, automation, and a shrinking coal industry. “What we had wasn’t working,” said one retired miner from Kentucky. “It might be rough around the edges, but at least it was talking about us.” Indeed, many in the region embraced MAGA not purely as a conservative ideology but as a vehicle for systemic change, a rejection of an establishment that, in their eyes, failed to deliver.

But beyond the campaign signs and political rallies, Appalachia continues to face persistent challenges: entrenched rural poverty, decaying infrastructure, limited access to healthcare and quality education, and a lack of economic diversification. These issues predate the MAGA movement and transcend party lines. The War on Poverty, launched in the 1960s, brought much-needed attention to the region and led to initiatives that helped reduce extreme poverty. But progress has been uneven. Today, despite a growing national economy, many Appalachian counties remain among the poorest in the nation.

Critics argue that MAGA’s promises, such as reviving coal jobs or slashing federal spending, often run counter to the long-term needs of the region. Appalachia relies heavily on federal support, including funding from agencies like the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), which works to boost local economies, improve infrastructure, and expand educational opportunities. “There’s a paradox here,” noted a political scientist at a regional university. “Many MAGA supporters want government out of their lives, yet the region’s future depends on sustained public investment. That tension isn’t easily resolved.”

All the promises made have been broken by Trump’s administration. Coal jobs were not revived. Infrastructure plans never materialized. The opioid crisis was not contained, and broadband expansion key to the region’s future remains insufficient and funds have been cut. For many, the sense of betrayal runs deep, yet the movement’s emotional grip endures. The question now is stark: will they continue to support his movement?

While the Trump administration pledged to revitalize coal country, industry employment continued to decline due to market forces and technological change. Meanwhile, efforts to scale renewable energy, broadband expansion, and small-business support have been inconsistent, particularly in areas where local governments lack the capacity to implement change.

Despite political divides, local leaders and organizations remain focused on practical solutions. The ARC, for instance, continues to fund initiatives in entrepreneurship, tourism, and workforce development, projects aimed at creating a diversified economy that’s less vulnerable to boom-and-bust cycles. Grassroots movements, often led by young Appalachians, are also gaining momentum. From community-based health clinics to educational nonprofits, a new generation is working to reimagine what the region can become, one that values its heritage but is not bound by it.

Ultimately, the impact of the MAGA movement on Appalachia will not be measured solely in votes or slogans but in whether the region’s underlying issues are addressed meaningfully. Can political movements, regardless of ideology, move beyond symbolism to deliver tangible progress? As the 2026 elections loom and new voices enter the national conversation, Appalachia stands at a crossroads, wrestling with its past, uncertain of its future, but steadfast in its desire to be seen, heard, and helped.

“We’ve been surviving for generations,” said a local teacher. “The question now is whether we can finally thrive.”

-Tim Carmichael