The conservative movement’s war against Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) has taken an ironic twist. JD Vance—once hailed as a conservative intellectual and a Trump loyalist—has found himself in the crosshairs of the very ideological machine he helped build. His memoir Hillbilly Elegy has been flagged for compliance review in schools serving U.S. military families across the globe, with potential removal on the horizon. The reason? The book’s inclusion of profanity, references to the LGBTQ+ community, and even brief mentions of diversity.

A Symbolic Purge: When ‘Too Woke’ Targets Its Own

For years, MAGA loyalists have railed against DEI initiatives, branding them as tools of the ‘radical left.’ But Vance’s predicament signals a paradox: when even a staunch conservative’s work is deemed too progressive, has the anti-DEI movement gone too far? The same figures who once praised Vance’s depiction of working-class struggles are now willing to exile him over perceived ideological impurity.

Vance’s book, a deeply personal account of his upbringing in a white, working-class Appalachian family, contains elements that acknowledge the complexities of American identity. While it is by no means a progressive manifesto, its mere acknowledgment of marginalized communities seems enough to trigger conservative censors. This raises an uncomfortable question: if even Trump-aligned Republicans are at risk of being cast out, who remains safe within the MAGA fold?

The Broader War Against DEI: A Manufactured Boogeyman

The controversy surrounding Hillbilly Elegy is just one example of a broader campaign against DEI principles. Over the past several years, conservative lawmakers and influencers have increasingly positioned DEI as a threat to the so-called ‘American Dream.’ At the recent CPAC conference, Senator Jim Banks went so far as to declare that DEI is “the biggest threat to the American Dream.”

This rhetoric follows a well-worn pattern: conservatives first targeted Critical Race Theory (CRT), then turned their sights on DEI. Now, anything that even hints at diversity or inclusion is under fire. The anti-DEI crusade has escalated to the point where even conservative thought leaders like Vance are being scrutinized for ‘wokeness.’ This ever-tightening ideological purity test reveals the true nature of the movement—it is not merely about rejecting progressive ideas but about enforcing a singular, exclusionary vision of America.

Historical Parallels: The Radicalization of the Right

History has shown that movements driven by ideological purity inevitably consume their own. From McCarthyism’s unchecked accusations to the infighting among hardline revolutionary factions, the radical right’s purge of anyone who deviates from their rigid dogma follows a predictable trajectory. Vance’s case suggests that MAGA’s anti-DEI efforts have reached this self-destructive stage.

The irony is difficult to ignore. Vance, once seen as a rising star in conservative circles, is now being framed as a ‘woke’ sellout simply because his book acknowledges non-white and LGBTQ+ individuals. If MAGA’s ideological enforcers continue along this path, they may soon find themselves running out of allies.

The Future of MAGA: An Increasingly Narrow Tent

If Hillbilly Elegy is deemed unacceptable, what’s next? Will more conservative authors and politicians be discarded for the crime of insufficient loyalty to the anti-DEI agenda?

The current trajectory suggests that the movement’s obsession with ideological purity will only intensify. What began as an effort to push back against progressive initiatives has now morphed into an all-consuming purge. If this trend continues, MAGA may find itself alienating its own ranks, leaving only the most extreme voices in power.

For JD Vance, the lesson is clear: in today’s conservative movement, loyalty to the cause is not enough. One misstep, one perceived deviation, and even the most dedicated followers can become the next target.