10 Most Anti-Woke People in Power
advertisement
VOICE OVER: Peter DeGiglio
WRITTEN BY: Holly Hoyt
From controversial statements to policy decisions, these political figures have made their stance against progressive ideologies clear. Join us as we explore the most prominent leaders who've taken strong positions against what they call "woke culture" in modern politics and society. Our countdown includes political figures who've challenged progressive movements, opposed diversity initiatives, and pushed back against cultural changes. From European nationalists to American conservatives, these leaders have shaped the anti-progressive narrative in contemporary politics.
Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the public figures who are most openly opposed to “wokeness,” be it in their actions, words, or both.
Few politicians have railed against "wokeness" as loudly as Nigel Farage. The former UKIP and Brexit Party leader has built much of his brand on opposing progressive social movements, particularly regarding immigration, multiculturalism, and gender identity. Farage has condemned the use of gender-neutral language, corporate diversity initiatives, and what he’s characterized as “cancel culture.” He has also dismissed climate activism, branding groups like Extinction Rebellion as extremists. In 2023, he accused banks of “debanking” him over his political views. Whether you agree with his stance or not, Farage is undeniably one of the most outspoken critics of “woke” ideology.
The leader of Canada’s Conservative Party, Poilievre has argued that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives promote division rather than unity and serve as a form of ideological control. He’s also framed himself as a defender of free speech against political correctness, expressed opposition for puberty blockers for minors, and pledged to defund the CBC, accusing it of pushing “woke” narratives. While some view Poilievre as a traditional conservative, his detractors have called him a populist, with a few even drawing controversial comparisons to fascism. In any case, his anti-“woke” stance couldn’t be clearer.
When you’re the President of Brazil, home to the world’s largest tropical rainforest, you’d think environmental concerns would be a priority…unless you’re Jair Bolsonaro. During his time in office, Bolsonaro rolled back environmental protections, favoring economic development, and dismissed left-leaning policies as “cultural Marxism.” He also took a hard stance against gender ideology and LGBTQ+ rights. But perhaps his most infamous moment occurred before his presidency, during an inflammatory exchange with Federal Deputy Maria do Rosário in 2003, wherein he made comments that people found misogynistic and offensive. Bolsonaro’s rhetoric and policies have earned him ample disapproval from progressives, with many calling him the “Trump of the Tropics.”
As Poland’s Prime Minister from 2017 to 2023, Morawiecki was a staunch supporter of traditional Christian values and preserving Poland’s national identity. This often put him at odds with those advocating for more progressive social policies. Leading the right-wing Law and Justice (PiS) party, Morawiecki backed restrictions on LGBTQ+ protections, opposed same-sex marriage and adoption, and defended controversial 'LGBT-free zones' established by local governments. Under his leadership, Poland was frequently regarded as one of the least LGBTQ+-friendly countries in the EU. On top of that, Morawiecki regularly clashed with the EU over rule-of-law disputes and progressive policies.
The UK’s Prime Minister from 2019 to 2022 didn’t shy away from calling out what he saw as “woke” overreach. He was a vocal critic of efforts to remove statues of controversial historical figures, arguing that it was an attempt to erase history. Johnson also drew headlines when he called King Charles “too woke” for voicing concerns about the country’s controversial Rwanda asylum plan. Despite these moves, many conservatives felt he didn’t push back enough against progressive policies. For all his talk about resisting “wokeness,” some conservatives have actually argued that Johnson allowed the culture to thrive under his leadership, leading to accusations of inconsistency.
Marine Le Pen, leader of the far-right National Rally and daughter of the party's founder Jean-Marie Le Pen, is a key figure in the fight against what’s been called “le Wokisme.” While she’s distanced herself from her father's more extreme views and aimed to present a more moderate image to expand the party’s base, Marine still holds many of Dad’s nationalist beliefs. Her focus on traditional values and nationalism (take, for example, her views on France’s immigration laws) has earned her both support and opposition, making her a prominent foe of what she sees as excessive progressiveness in her country.
It doesn’t get much more “anti-woke” than blatantly stating you don’t want your country to be diverse. But in 2018, that’s exactly what Hungary’s Prime Minister did – and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. As head of the right-wing Fidesz party, Orbán campaigned to “re-Christianize” his country, which, to him, involved ending the legal recognition of transgender people, banning the discussion of LGBTQ+ topics in schools, and cracking down on academic institutions that promote liberal values. He also implemented strict immigration policies, arguing that multiculturalism threatens Hungary’s identity. His government even pushed a law that effectively forced one of Europe’s top universities, CEU, to relocate. Viktor, we know you’re proud of your heritage, but this may be a little much.
Wilders has spent decades fighting what he sees as the dangers of multiculturalism and political correctness. As the leader (and, ahem, only member) of the far-right Party for Freedom (PVV) in the Netherlands, Wilders has built his career on an anti-immigration, anti-Islam platform, calling for policies that critics argue promote division rather than integration. He has pushed to ban the Quran, shut down mosques, and restrict asylum seekers, arguing that Dutch culture is under threat. Wilders has also railed against diversity initiatives and gender-inclusive policies, dismissing them as symptoms of a “woke” ideology that undermines traditional values.
Argentina’s libertarian president threw out some pretty inflammatory statements at 2024’s World Economic Forum, painting a crystal clear picture of his feelings about quote-unquote “sick wokeism.” Milei took aim at feminism, identity politics, social welfare, and climate policies, doubling down on his long-standing opposition to progressive ideals. His remarks, especially those targeting the LGBTQ+ community, ignited massive protests across Argentina, with activists, trade unions, and political opponents pushing back. Demonstrators flooded the streets, defending diversity and denouncing his rhetoric. Love him or hate him, there’s no denying that fighting “wokeness” is a core part of Milei’s brand – whether as a bold truth-teller or a relentless provocateur.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
Who could have seen this one coming? Throughout his political career and two successful elections, Trump has made fighting “wokeness” a key part of his brand, railing against progressive policies on race, gender, and climate change. From banning diversity training in federal agencies to rolling back protections for transgender individuals, he positioned himself as the ultimate “anti-woke” figure. He’s also gone after corporations embracing social activism, taking shots at brands like Disney for pushing “woke” agendas. Trump has even formed what could be called a “bromance” with fellow billionaire Elon Musk (xref), who shares his disdain for wokeness and frames it as a threat to free speech. At this point, “Trump” might as well mean the opposite of “woke.”
Who on this list do YOU think is most “anti-woke?” Let’s talk about it in the comments.
#10: Nigel Farage
UKFew politicians have railed against "wokeness" as loudly as Nigel Farage. The former UKIP and Brexit Party leader has built much of his brand on opposing progressive social movements, particularly regarding immigration, multiculturalism, and gender identity. Farage has condemned the use of gender-neutral language, corporate diversity initiatives, and what he’s characterized as “cancel culture.” He has also dismissed climate activism, branding groups like Extinction Rebellion as extremists. In 2023, he accused banks of “debanking” him over his political views. Whether you agree with his stance or not, Farage is undeniably one of the most outspoken critics of “woke” ideology.
#9: Pierre Poilievre
CanadaThe leader of Canada’s Conservative Party, Poilievre has argued that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives promote division rather than unity and serve as a form of ideological control. He’s also framed himself as a defender of free speech against political correctness, expressed opposition for puberty blockers for minors, and pledged to defund the CBC, accusing it of pushing “woke” narratives. While some view Poilievre as a traditional conservative, his detractors have called him a populist, with a few even drawing controversial comparisons to fascism. In any case, his anti-“woke” stance couldn’t be clearer.
#8: Jair Bolsonaro
BrazilWhen you’re the President of Brazil, home to the world’s largest tropical rainforest, you’d think environmental concerns would be a priority…unless you’re Jair Bolsonaro. During his time in office, Bolsonaro rolled back environmental protections, favoring economic development, and dismissed left-leaning policies as “cultural Marxism.” He also took a hard stance against gender ideology and LGBTQ+ rights. But perhaps his most infamous moment occurred before his presidency, during an inflammatory exchange with Federal Deputy Maria do Rosário in 2003, wherein he made comments that people found misogynistic and offensive. Bolsonaro’s rhetoric and policies have earned him ample disapproval from progressives, with many calling him the “Trump of the Tropics.”
#7: Mateusz Morawiecki
PolandAs Poland’s Prime Minister from 2017 to 2023, Morawiecki was a staunch supporter of traditional Christian values and preserving Poland’s national identity. This often put him at odds with those advocating for more progressive social policies. Leading the right-wing Law and Justice (PiS) party, Morawiecki backed restrictions on LGBTQ+ protections, opposed same-sex marriage and adoption, and defended controversial 'LGBT-free zones' established by local governments. Under his leadership, Poland was frequently regarded as one of the least LGBTQ+-friendly countries in the EU. On top of that, Morawiecki regularly clashed with the EU over rule-of-law disputes and progressive policies.
#6: Boris Johnson
UKThe UK’s Prime Minister from 2019 to 2022 didn’t shy away from calling out what he saw as “woke” overreach. He was a vocal critic of efforts to remove statues of controversial historical figures, arguing that it was an attempt to erase history. Johnson also drew headlines when he called King Charles “too woke” for voicing concerns about the country’s controversial Rwanda asylum plan. Despite these moves, many conservatives felt he didn’t push back enough against progressive policies. For all his talk about resisting “wokeness,” some conservatives have actually argued that Johnson allowed the culture to thrive under his leadership, leading to accusations of inconsistency.
#5: Marine Le Pen
FranceMarine Le Pen, leader of the far-right National Rally and daughter of the party's founder Jean-Marie Le Pen, is a key figure in the fight against what’s been called “le Wokisme.” While she’s distanced herself from her father's more extreme views and aimed to present a more moderate image to expand the party’s base, Marine still holds many of Dad’s nationalist beliefs. Her focus on traditional values and nationalism (take, for example, her views on France’s immigration laws) has earned her both support and opposition, making her a prominent foe of what she sees as excessive progressiveness in her country.
#4: Viktor Orbán
HungaryIt doesn’t get much more “anti-woke” than blatantly stating you don’t want your country to be diverse. But in 2018, that’s exactly what Hungary’s Prime Minister did – and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. As head of the right-wing Fidesz party, Orbán campaigned to “re-Christianize” his country, which, to him, involved ending the legal recognition of transgender people, banning the discussion of LGBTQ+ topics in schools, and cracking down on academic institutions that promote liberal values. He also implemented strict immigration policies, arguing that multiculturalism threatens Hungary’s identity. His government even pushed a law that effectively forced one of Europe’s top universities, CEU, to relocate. Viktor, we know you’re proud of your heritage, but this may be a little much.
#3: Geert Wilders
The NetherlandsWilders has spent decades fighting what he sees as the dangers of multiculturalism and political correctness. As the leader (and, ahem, only member) of the far-right Party for Freedom (PVV) in the Netherlands, Wilders has built his career on an anti-immigration, anti-Islam platform, calling for policies that critics argue promote division rather than integration. He has pushed to ban the Quran, shut down mosques, and restrict asylum seekers, arguing that Dutch culture is under threat. Wilders has also railed against diversity initiatives and gender-inclusive policies, dismissing them as symptoms of a “woke” ideology that undermines traditional values.
#2: Javier Milei
ArgentinaArgentina’s libertarian president threw out some pretty inflammatory statements at 2024’s World Economic Forum, painting a crystal clear picture of his feelings about quote-unquote “sick wokeism.” Milei took aim at feminism, identity politics, social welfare, and climate policies, doubling down on his long-standing opposition to progressive ideals. His remarks, especially those targeting the LGBTQ+ community, ignited massive protests across Argentina, with activists, trade unions, and political opponents pushing back. Demonstrators flooded the streets, defending diversity and denouncing his rhetoric. Love him or hate him, there’s no denying that fighting “wokeness” is a core part of Milei’s brand – whether as a bold truth-teller or a relentless provocateur.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
Scott Morrison, Australia
Big on the “Quiet Australian,” but Not So Much the EnvironmentAndrzej Duda, Poland
Poland’s Not-So-Progressive PresidentRon DeSantis, USA
From Banning Books to Battling DisneyMarco Rubio, USA
Secretary of State, Soldier Against WokenessGiorgia Meloni, Italy
Not Too Popular Among the Italian Left#1: Donald Trump
USAWho could have seen this one coming? Throughout his political career and two successful elections, Trump has made fighting “wokeness” a key part of his brand, railing against progressive policies on race, gender, and climate change. From banning diversity training in federal agencies to rolling back protections for transgender individuals, he positioned himself as the ultimate “anti-woke” figure. He’s also gone after corporations embracing social activism, taking shots at brands like Disney for pushing “woke” agendas. Trump has even formed what could be called a “bromance” with fellow billionaire Elon Musk (xref), who shares his disdain for wokeness and frames it as a threat to free speech. At this point, “Trump” might as well mean the opposite of “woke.”
Who on this list do YOU think is most “anti-woke?” Let’s talk about it in the comments.
