‘All but unrecognizable’ Mike Lee goes full MAGA troll as he calls freeway protest ‘an act of war against the U.S’ and demands Mexico pay for troops

Senator Mike Lee of Utah has transformed from a former Trump opponent to a frequent social media poster who regularly shares far-right views and conspiracy theories. His recent behavior on social media platforms has drawn attention and criticism, especially after his controversial posts about the shooting of two Democratic state legislators in Minnesota.

According to MSNBC, the three-term lawmaker has been posting dozens of times daily on X (formerly Twitter), despite holding a full-time position as a senator. On Thursday alone, he made nearly 40 posts, with very few relating to his duties as Utah’s senior senator or mentioning his home state.

Lee recently called a protest blocking cars on a California freeway “an act of war against the U.S” and stated that the Mexican government should pay back the United States for recent troop deployments in Los Angeles. These statements add to his pattern of provocative social media behavior.

Lee’s transformation raises concerns among former allies and staff

According to Tim Alberta’s reporting in The Atlantic, many of Lee’s friends, allies, and former staff members say they barely recognize him anymore. Most requested anonymity to avoid retaliation from the senator, but they consistently express surprise at his dramatic change in position and behavior.

Lee’s social media presence, under the handle “BasedMikeLee,” launched in 2022 and marks a significant shift from his earlier political stance. His posts now often mirror content found on right-wing message boards rather than typical senatorial communications. He frequently reposts far-right media figures and spreads what many consider to be misinformation, behavior that’s becoming increasingly common among MAGA supporters.

The senator’s favorite talking point appears to be labeling Democrats and liberals as Marxists. In the past week alone, he has used this term against various groups and individuals, including protesters, California Governor Gavin Newsom, and anti-ICE demonstrators. He has also claimed that the U.S. Agency for International Development has been supporting Marxist causes.

Despite his controversial social media presence, Lee has faced few political consequences. He won reelection in 2022, though in a closer race than expected, and maintains an approval rating of 46 percent in Utah, with 33 percent disapproving. His recent posts align closely with former President Donald Trump’s messaging, suggesting his transformation into a MAGA supporter is complete, despite his earlier opposition to Trump during the 2016 Republican convention.