A recent New York Magazine article sparked controversy by portraying a rising generation of young conservatives as "casually cruel Trumpers" taking over Washington. The article, titled "The Cruel Kids’ Table," described young Republicans celebrating Trump's inauguration, highlighting their confidence and online presence. However, several conservative influencers criticized the piece, accusing the magazine of omitting key details and misrepresenting the movement. One prominent criticism revolved around the cover photo, with some alleging that Black attendees were deliberately cropped out to reinforce a narrative of racial homogeneity within the MAGA movement.

Conservative influencer CJ Pearson, who hosted the event mentioned in the article, claimed that he and other people of color were intentionally excluded from the story. He argued that their inclusion would have challenged the narrative of MAGA as a racist cult. New York Magazine responded by stating that the cover and the story accurately reflected the weekend's events. The article's author, Brock Colyar, distinguished this new generation of conservatives not only from their liberal counterparts but also from older Trump supporters. He described them as young, well-connected, urban, and heavily engaged online. Colyar emphasized their rejection of what they perceive as the left's puritanical approach to language and identity politics.

The article quoted several young conservatives, including Xaviaer DuRousseau, who likened the inauguration festivities to "Republican Coachella" with Donald Trump as their Beyoncé. Publicist Mitchell Jackson echoed this sentiment, describing MAGA as "MTV for Gen Z" and criticizing Democrats for sounding like "'80s Republicans protesting rap songs." The article also highlighted Arynne Wexler, who expressed controversial views on pronouns and immigration. The article's portrayal of this rising conservative movement sparked debate across the political spectrum. Some conservatives celebrated the depiction of their movement as culturally ascendant, while others criticized the article's focus on a select group of influencers. The conversation surrounding this new generation of conservatives reflects a broader shift in the political landscape, where online influence and cultural trends play an increasingly significant role.