Opinion: Why I couldn’t be friends with a Trump supporter
I can respectfully coexist and work with people across the full political spectrum. However, the willingness to overlook Trump’s offensive words and actions conflicts so fundamentally with my values that it’s a deal-breaker for my close friendships.
What’s the difference between racism and pizza toppings? One is a major dealbreaker, and the other isn’t. In such a politically polarized nation, it’s easy to see why people are urging everyone to come together and love their neighbors regardless of political opinions. However, when basic human rights are at stake, it’s not that simple.
I’m sure many of you can relate when I say that my Instagram and Twitter feeds are flooded with passionate messages from all parts of the political spectrum. But even in this seemingly endless sea of information and opinions, the following statements caught my attention:
“Yeah b*tch, [we can disagree] about pizza toppings, not racism.”
“If you voted for Trump, I want nothing to do with you.”
These quotes might seem a bit aggressive. Divisive? Extreme, maybe? Still, what I find far more offensive are the lackluster attempts at peace and unity posted by other social media users: “After the elections are over, your neighbors will still be your neighbors.” “Vote for whomever, but always choose kindness.” Or, my personal favorite, “Trump won’t be there to ring up your groceries; your neighbors will. Biden won’t be there to fix your car or help you out with yard work; your neighbors will.”
I understand where these messages are coming from, but unfortunately, it’s not that simple. The internet discourse surrounding the recent presidential election is about more than a few harmless disagreements. It’s about more than politics. It’s about humanity.
So here comes the controversial statement: Because I believe that this is an issue of morality and basic human rights far more than it is an issue of politics, I could not be friends with a Trump supporter.
Whether that statement made you want to cheer or angrily smash your keyboard in the comments section, I think the rest of this article is still worth a read.
The Intent
It’s no secret that America’s political climate is extremely polarized, so much so that it often delays or prevents real progress from being made in our country. I’ve seen firsthand how ugly the comments can get on political social media posts, and I see where people are coming from when they post idealistic statements urging Americans to come together and love one another regardless of differences in opinion or party affiliation.
Let’s look at the numbers. According to a 2019 Pew Research Center study, 64 percent of Republicans said they saw Democrats as more close-minded than other Americans, and 75 percent of Democrats said the same about Republicans. Between December 2016 and September 2019, the percentages of major political party members who gave members of the opposing party a “cold” rating on a “feeling thermometer” scale increased steadily — from 58 to 83 percent among Republicans and from 56 to 79 percent among Democrats.
So, on the most basic level, I understand and support the desire for a more unified nation. I would love it if this idealistic, harmonious country were a realistic possibility in the future, but I don’t see it happening today.
It’s Not Really About Politics
It’s really not.
Here’s where I think it’s important to make the distinction between Republicans (or conservatives) and Trump supporters. To me, they’re not interchangeable terms. The establishment of groups like Republican Voters Against Trump, Republicans for Joe Biden and The Lincoln Project illustrates the opposition to Trump’s actions and policies even by Americans who had previously aligned themselves with the GOP.
Republicans tend to favor lower tax rates, increased military spending and free market capitalism, generally supporting “small government” over “big government.” While I disagree with some of these ideas, they’re not deal-breakers for me in a relationship; in fact, I have several friends and extended family members who align with more conservative beliefs. But, for me, Trump supporters are a different story.
If you voted (or would have voted) for Trump, you voted for sexism and misogyny. You chose to promote a man who has called women “horseface,” “dogs,” “Miss Piggy” and “Miss Housekeeping” and who has been recorded saying things like, “I just start kissing them” and, “Grab ’em by the p*ssy. You can do anything.” You stand behind a man who has been accused by 26 women of various instances of sexual assault since the 1970s.
If you voted for Trump, you voted for racism. You chose to promote a man who publicly thanked a group of his supporters chanting “white power” and used the racial epithet “thugs” to describe people protesting peacefully against police brutality. You stand behind a man who, on live national television, refused to explicitly condemn white supremacy.
If you voted for Trump, you voted for discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community. You chose to promote a man who barred transgender troops and military recruits from openly serving in the military, who denied U.S. embassies permission to fly pride flags on their flagpoles and whose administration withdrew Title IX protections for transgender students.
If you voted for Trump, you did not “choose kindness” like those overly simplistic social media posts urge us to. You chose to promote sexism, misogyny, racism and discrimination, or you at least decided that they’re not deal-breakers to you. To me, they most definitely are.
In the end, it’s not really about Trump either. Sexist, racist, homophobic and transphobic people did not begin with the Trump administration, and they will not end with the Trump administration. In many cases, having a leader who so openly aligns with these characteristics has simply brought these people out of the woodwork and empowered them to share their hurtful beliefs with the world. Regardless of Trump’s existence, I wouldn’t want to build friendships with people that hold these beliefs, and I can’t in good conscience stand by a social media infographic that asks me to overlook these deal-breakers when so many millions of people’s basic human rights are at stake.
A Series of Concessions
I know that this article will inevitably stir up some controversy, so I’ve come prepared.
First of all, I can understand why the current president’s successes may make him an appealing candidate. Some of his accomplishments while in office, such as the First Step Act and the Right to Try Act, have gained bipartisan support and deserve positive recognition. However, a few effective policies should be the bare minimum expectation for our nation’s leader and certainly don’t outweigh the damage he’s inflicted on so many through his complete disregard for human rights and safety.
Secondly, there’s no doubt in my mind that I could be friends with a former Trump supporter. Just because someone used to align with certain beliefs doesn’t mean that they always will. (One of my favorite TED Talks, by Megan Phelps-Rogers, is fantastic proof of this statement.) I believe strongly in the power of humans to learn, grow and change, and I would be doing myself a disservice if I refused to befriend people with whom I used to disagree.
Regardless of what I think about current Trump supporters, I still strive to empathize as best I can. Voting disinformation is rampant, and our country has largely failed in educating its citizens about the government in general; according to law professor Ilya Somin, only about 34 percent of Americans can correctly name the three branches of government. I understand that many Americans find it difficult and confusing to make decisions when voting, especially if they have been surrounded by members of a particular political party for the majority of their life. I am privileged and grateful to have parents who engage in political discussions with me and encourage me to form my own opinions through independent research and consideration; I encourage others to do the same if possible.
And most importantly, while I don’t respect the beliefs of Trump supporters, I definitely don’t hate them. I’m willing to work and have conversations with Trump supporters, and I of course still believe that everyone is entitled to the basic rights of “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” I hope that we can build a nation in which the general sentiment of those “love your neighbor” social media posts rings true, in which everyone’s lives are valued, in which everyone is guaranteed basic human rights and in which everyone can encourage others and raise their children to be loving, empathetic, equity-seeking members of society. But Trump and his supporters aren’t working toward that vision.
A Quick Note on Pizza Toppings
Just so we’re clear, I enjoy the occasional slice of pineapple on my pizza, and it’s not a deal-breaker for me if you disagree with me on that.
I’m Almost Done
Whether or not you agree with me, I appreciate you having read this article. I hope you’ve learned something, evaluated your own beliefs or thought about your personal values in some way, shape or form over the course of these past 1,405 words.
Let’s circle back to those first two quotes.
“Yeah b*tch, [we can disagree] about pizza toppings, not racism.”
“If you voted for Trump, I want nothing to do with you.”
Do I think these types of posts help to dismantle political polarization and increase unity in our country? Definitely not. Still, I think it’s just as, if not more, dangerous to push the narrative that, regardless of vastly different views on fundamental human rights, everyone can and should be friends.
In order to build that ideal nation of love, empathy and equity I think we all desire, it is crucial that we hold one another accountable for our opinions, rather than turn a blind eye to prevalent issues like racism, sexism and homophobia for the sake of a few friendships. So please, do your own comprehensive research, gain an understanding of your personal opinions and set boundaries that feel right for you.
And who knows? Maybe someday, those idealistic Instagram posts will come true, and Biden will come help me mow the lawn.
Monday, November 23: The Talon added a secondary headline to clarify the nuance presented in this article.
I would be friends with someone who would not be friends with a Trump supporter.
I admire these authors’ honesty and the strength of their convictions. I admire that they have written and stood by an article that has received so much negative attention. I admire the political engagement this article demonstrates. But I seriously question these authors’ conclusions, their research, and their democratic spirit.
I think the most important thing this article fails to address is that there does exist a substantial middle ground between Never-Trump Republicans and Die-Hard fans. It is possible to laud Trump’s tax cuts and immigration policy while also criticizing him for being an ass. It is possible to dislike his personality and the way he talks while supporting the Wall. It is possible to support Trump–maybe even vote for him over Biden or Hilary–and not be a bigot.
I question weather the article’s authors would apply the same dichotomous analysis to Lutherans (Luther being a notorious anti-Semite), to Communists (given Communism’s history), to fans of George Washington.
And though the article concludes with an admonition to “comprehensive research,” I question the validity of this article’s attacks on Trump (which seem mostly regurgitated from the media avalanche that’s dominated the past four years). From the top-down there are problems: the article alleges sexism and misogyny, citing statements about women. But the authors seem to forget the incredible abuse Trump hurled at the other (male) democratic nominees at 2016. Trump is an asshole, not a misogynist. The article alleges sexual misconduct, but fails to recognize that allegations are not convictions. It lobs the trite accusation that he refused to call out white-supremacists, when just watching the full clip [1] they reference shows that he does, and in fact he does consistently. The article claims evidence of transphobia, but the evidence does not support the claim [2]. And I honestly do not care if the US embassies put out pride flags.
I question what these authors hope to accomplish by excluding these people from their friendship. On the one hand this exclusion seems designed as a punitive measure, a way to “hold one another accountable” for our (wrong) opinions. What the article seems to suggest is that if you align too closely with the wrong political candidate, you don’t GET to be friends with this articles’ authors.
Or, and more likely, what the authors mean is that support for Trump indicates a willingness to compromise with (what they see as) bigotry, and that we should not make friends with those thus willing to compromise. This idea ignores the great work done by Daryl Davis (who’s ted talk is one of MY favorites), ignores the power of conversation, and is fundamentally undemocratic. I question if the authors are simply looking for a way to justify not having to humanize those with whom they disagree.
It’s frustrating and surprising to see Leftists make generalizations about people based on their group identity. It’s frustrating to be thought of as a bigot when in reality I’m just a conservative. Though I suppose it’s much easier to just assign people with an adjective which makes them haram, it is not particularly humanistic. We should always be willing to make human connections (not what this article condescends to: conversations) even with those with whom we disagree.
And so I would be friends with someone who would not be friends with a Trump supporter.
[1] At the debates: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-q-drlJg1U
The famous “good people on both sides:” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmaZR8E12bs (“Neo-Nazis and Whte Nationalist should be condemned totally”)
[2] I urge all those interested in the military transgender ban to read the full memo: https://media.defense.gov/2018/Mar/23/2001894037/-1/-1/0/MILITARY-SERVICE-BY-TRANSGENDER-INDIVIDUALS.PDF
Bear in mind that the military already prohibits those who have had genital surgery, or are hermaphrodites, or are on hormone therapies from serving; this policy represents a realignment with existing standards, not an attack.
As to the title IX changes, what this article fails to mention is that the Trump administration made title XI carry the force of law and required schools to hold trials for allegations of abuse. I personally do not support the changes regarding gender: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/what-the-trump-administrations-title-ix-changes-mean-for-survivors-and-the-accused
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I actually really recommend reading the comment above, it was extremely well written and serves to debunk a lot of the authors false claims. I would also like to point out that this election wasn’t ideal for anyone. Most people, including republicans had to settle for a candidate that they disagreed with on several levels. The difference is what they value more in a president, and what direction they want to see the country going in. And that, in my opinion, is not something worth losing friendships over. Some want free healthcare, some want it privatized. For some, Joe Biden was a means to a more leftist end, for others, it was a return to centrist ideals. However I would disagree with the idea that Biden supporters unconditionally have the moral high ground. The author fails to acknowledge the numerous sexual assault allegations against him, the racist and homophobic comments (AND track record, for ex his crime bill ) that he has. Saying that he’s changed since then only serves to prove the point that Biden is just trying to reverse mistakes that he created himself.
All this goes to say, is that both candidates were quite obviously flawed. I don’t see what good it would do to block out of your life the lived experiences and ideals of nearly half of the country. From my point of view, if they are a good person and a good friend, that’s all that matters.
How to create more political polarization: stop being friends rather than try and change their mind. This seems like a lackluster way to justify ones hatred towards someone due to their ignorance. With that being said maybe state that this is an opinion piece.
I’d ask the author: do you condemn yourself and people who live in the US for paying taxes to a country that once supported slavery, and as the Talon put it, is “systemically racist”? Do you refuse to be friends with people who like the Harry Potter series despite the author making transphobic comments? Will you quit your position at the Talon for having a 75/25 male to female gender ratio? The answer to these questions are likely all no; you probably live in the US not because of its history of slavery and racism, you live in the US because it provides the opportunity for you to pursue your ambitions. You probably don’t actively question your friends who like Harry Potter because they like the series, not the author’s beliefs. You won’t quit your position at the Talon because you enjoy journalism.
The reason I point all these examples out is because you are essentially claiming that 47% of people living in America are somehow racist, or supporting racism, because they support Trump. However, just like all the other examples, a large majority of people don’t support Trump because of his personality, they support him because of his policies. George explained this well in his comment above.
Posting an article like this is questionable; I’m sure there are people out there who would like to voice their opinions through a guest write, but they’ll be probably be classified as “racist,” “transphobic,” etc. as this article suggests.
Usually this divisiveness between people comes from the media being dishonest to the point where people have no idea/desire to know what the other side actually thinks. No, democrats are not communists that want to send you to the gulag and republicans not racist fascists. Both sides have the same vision for a better America, they just disagree on how to get it. Characterizing Trump supporters as you have is extremely divisive and literally kills any hope of productive discussion with them. How can one throw countless ad hominems at a group and then expect them to just be okay with it. We all feel frustrated with the other side of the aisle sometimes and something I would recommend is to pick a conservative outlet and watch a few minutes of their videos or read one of their articles, you don’t have to like it or agree but I think it would help you to understand where conservatives are actually coming from.
Trump is an imperfect vessel for a generally popular message. Someone who’s been in the public eye as long as he has is bound to have dirt on him. The qualities I look for in a politician are good policy and someone who will tell it like it is. I don’t agree with the concept of voting for some silver tongue politician with fancy rhetoric who will just end up switching their stance whichever which way the wind blows. As they say “Actions speak louder than words” and as far as I’m concerned Trump seems to have done just that.
Politics isn’t that important to most Americans and its pretty silly to let it get in the way of more important things like friendships.