Trump Supporters: This Is All On You and Here’s Why…

Trump supporters, all of this mess is on your heads. I know, I know…take a deep breath, clutch your pearls, and prepare to be defensive. I can already hear the cries: “I’m not the one out there burning down cities…I’m not the one looting stores!” That may be true (though it is also true that several pro-Trump groups ARE out there instigating violence and destruction…maybe not you specifically, but some of your comrades, yes). If you’re feeling a little generous, you may even say, “This is the cops’ fault, not the President’s.” Ok. Fair enough. But, allow me to explain how and why — despite the root causes of systemic racism predating Trump specifically — the current state of affairs falls on him, and you, directly:

This is on you because you elected a man who’s first job in government was President of the United States. I know you wanted to “drain the swamp” or whatever, but you put into power a man who has NO IDEA how to run a country. His staff is a revolving door of inexperienced buffoons and sycophants. Many strategic positions within the government, especially the State Department — have been filled by novices with little to no domestic or international experience. His failure of leadership, strength, and vision has crippled us during this pandemic and during these protests. He doesn’t understand — and probably has never read — the US Constitution. You wanted a man who knows how to run a business; however, you hired a man who has essentially run every business into the ground. And, this is exactly what he’s doing to our country.

This is on you because, once elected, you never held him accountable for anything. His sexism, misogyny, xenophobia, and racism went on without comment from you. Instead you attended his rallies and chanted his antagonistic slogans. You said, “He’s only joking…” You allowed him to chant “Send her back!” about American-born and naturalized elected officials. You let him chant “Lock her up!” when the real criminals were in his own organization and family. You consistently said “Best President Ever!” without naming a single thing he’s done besides give tax cuts to the rich. Even his claims about the economy are false because the economy was already picking up in the midst of Obama’s last term.

This is on you because you likely share his values (part 1). You likely think “law and order” means threatening to beat the shit out of protestors and calling the National Guard into our cities, as opposed to working with and WITHIN communities to work on peacekeeping. To you, law and order doesn’t mean holding the LAW itself in order. It means holding black people, brown people, and poor people in order. Who’s policing the police? Certainly not anyone in this administration, and I’m sure you aren’t either despite what you’re seeing before your very eyes.

This is on you because you likely share his values (part 2). You probably do think African nations are “shithole countries,” you probably think it’s ok to cage asylum-seekers, and you probably agree that DREAMers shouldn’t be allowed to stay here even though this is the only country they have ever known. You probably also think Colin and LeBron are traitors to the nation.

This is on you because you don’t actually stand up for America as it is today. You long for a time that no longer exists. You’re pissed because you’re heading into minority status, and that frightens the living hell out of you because you know your reign of privilege is ending. You’re desperately trying to hold on to something that is disappearing. You’re scared, and it’s obvious to all of us.

Along the same lines, this is on you because you’re insecure. You don’t like science or factual information because factual information tends to confirm “liberal” points of view (PS. It’s not liberal; it’s just science. Liberals just happen to believe in science.). You argue with memes instead of facts. You will not admit that the president has lied over 16,000 times in 4 years. Instead, you call it “alternative facts,” as if such a thing exists. Instead the President’s press secretary says that the president’s “intent” is to tell the truth. What does that even mean??? Hint: It means he lies, but he believes his own lies, so it’s ok.

This is on you because you value your individualism more than you value the collective. You think “collective” means Communist (it doesn’t). You think that considering the greater good…lifting all boats…lending a hand…supporting the vulnerable are signs of WEAKNESS (it’s not). You call people “social justice warriors” as an INSULT (it’s a compliment). Do you listen to yourselves? Why is fighting for justice and supporting the most vulnerable a bad thing? I’m particularly surprised by Trump-supporting “Christians” who scoff in the face of justice and collective well-being when that’s the EXACT teachings of the Bible. How do you reconcile these contradictions in your mind?

This is on you because you have shown us that you value money and property over human life. You have protested at capital buildings with your AR-15s demanding the country reopen despite not knowing if it’s safe. You say things such as, “I don’t really like him, but I support him on the economy.” Unfortunately, you don’t get to pick and choose the things you like because, at the end of the day “you get the head…the tail…the whole damn thing” (thank you, Quint). You have also made it very clear that you value your stocks and 401K more than you value the health and prosperity of the nation. Every time my dad criticizes the president, his “friends” reply: “How’s your 401K doing?” as if my dad gives two shits about that. Like my dad, many of us know that a country is way more than an economy. You don’t see it that way, and we see you and what you stand for (or don’t). Essentially, if YOU’RE doing well, then it’s all good despite the world being literally on fire in front of your face. So, while you’re watching your 401K light up — as are our cities right now— the rest of America is dealing with a racist criminal justice system, attacks on women’s bodily rights/health, an underfunded education system, family separation, ICE raids, a pandemic that disproportionately affects black and brown communities, job loss, lack of health care, and a devastated environment.

Finally, this is on you because you sold us out. You left your fellow Americans in the hands of a reality TV star who values his ratings more than he values human life. If you don’t believe me, please see his Twitter posts from the last 48 hours while the country burns. No address to the nation, no words of comfort or togetherness. Instead he’s hiding in a bunker tweeting “FAKE NEWS” in all caps like a lunatic. THIS is what YOU voted for. We certainly won’t forget the choice you made. And, for me personally, not only will I not forget, I won’t forgive it either.