The 2016 election left many families divided. For many people, the election, which saw business tycoon Donald Trump ascend to the nation's highest office, signaled a further decline of democratic ideals.
By 2020, as Trump embraced conspiracy theories about the integrity of the 2020 election—a development many analysts had predicted would happen years prior—those concerns metastisized.
And by January 6, 2021, the day a mob of Trump's supporters stormed the United States Capitol on the false premise the election had been stolen, many had reached their breaking point, including supporters of the ex-President. Oh, and we haven't even touched the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic or the Trump administration's response (or lack thereof).
Trump is more than just a leader for a particular faction within the Republican Party. He is dogma. And after some Trump supporters decided to walk back their support, things got interesting.
People shared their stories with us after Redditor rickandtwocrows asked the online community,
"Former Trump supporters, what were your experiences when you stopped being a Trump supporter?"
"My entire family..."
"My entire family on both sides of my parents are unwavering Republicans. I’ve grown up under their influence and would repeat the things they told me to people at school and curse them for thinking anything different. In fact, if I dig deep enough into my closet I’ll be able to find my Trump socks and bright red hat to match."
"Since I moved out I started to experience the world firsthand instead of secondhand and realized that my previous views were a huge slap in the face to myself. It’s difficult to be around my family for long periods of time because no matter where we are, they make everything political and poke at me for thinking otherwise."
"Feel free to believe anything you want, but I hope more people open their eyes and see that our current situation benefits very few people."
TemporaryContest201
I think it speaks a lot to your character that you were willing to reevaluate your views.
"My 17-year-old son..."
"I used to be a very conservative guy. My 17 year old son passed away in early 2020. The parents of my best friend who passed away 10 years prior showed up to our house to offer comfort. When I answered the door, she was wearing a button that said “Trump Chick” and he was wearing a camouflage hat with the word “Trump” across the front."
"Rather than a simple I’m sorry for your loss, they spent the next 30 minutes complaining about illegal immigration, abortion and homosexuals. Our friends, largely conservative Christians but generally good people spent more time preaching the gospel of Trump during that time than offering any comfort, not that should have felt obligated to."
"It was my very liberal cousins who showed up out of nowhere to help set up his service. I received more love from my gay boss, a few of my lesbian friends, and one of my co workers who may or may not be an undocumented immigrant than I did from my right wing friends and family."
"It was the teen trans couple who my son made friends with who offered me a hug and shared about the wonderful time they had with him. It was the experiences that moved me more to the middle and realize that the far right people in this country are bananas."
"My son was a Christian who truely loved everyone. He would’ve been repulsed by Trumps actions. I try to follow his example."
Hillbilly415
You have our condolences.
What has always astounded me about the Christian conservative right is how much time they spend focusing negatively on others.
"It all started in 2020."
"It all started in 2020. Started wearing a mask because of Covid. I didn’t want to die and wanted to keep my family safe. I also work around the public and my mom had just been diagnosed with cancer."
"I live in a very red state. So red that our governor held a day of prayer to rid our state of Covid. So going to the store and wearing a mask was like walking into a trap. People would try to ram me with their shopping carts, give me dirty looks, treat me like I’m second class because I have a mask on. So that started my journey into changing the way I thought."
"Once my mom passed I connected with family that I hadn’t been in contact with since childhood. Huge Trump supporters. January 6th happened and my world crumbled. How could any American stand behind these traitors? I decided at this time that I was done with the Republicans and changed my political party the very next day."
"Family that I connected with since my moms funeral deleted me off Facebook, family stopped inviting my family to birthday parties, lost friends, my life changed. But I do not regret my choice one bit."
fatdad89
People tried to ram you with their shopping carts... this is a mentality I can never understand.
"My views changed..."
"My views changed during the pandemic. More so during the 2020 election. After Biden won, many people that I know went on rants about vaccines and how Biden is somehow the supreme commander of gas prices. It hurts me to see that those I know are convinced Trump is a hero when he is very much the opposite."
January 6th was the last straw, and I was completely done with the conservatives. They have lost my respect. I feel ashamed for having called myself a conservative for so long, but at least I’m done with them now."
FlotPlays
I still don’t understand why people believe one man is responsible for gas prices. Look at supply, demand and corporate. The economy needs more factors to work.
"I was an avid Trump supporter..."
"I was an avid Trump supporter all the way up until Jan 6th, it was like a switch in my head. Then after that I started to realize how bad of a person he is. I remember defending all the stupid/immoral/racist things he did because I thought he was going to save the U.S. God I felt so dumb after I came to my senses."
MillionPanda69
At least you came to your senses. That there are millions out there who back what happened on January 6 is terrifying.
"I realized..."
"I realized that “owning the libs” isn’t a valid political outlook. I really stopped supporting Trump, and later stopped being conservative once I started caring about actual issues like healthcare, and wages and stuff, not about crap like “forced diversity” or “cultural marxism” or “emasculation.""
savethebros
"When he made fun..."
"When he made fun of captured war vets, that’s when it crossed the line for me personally."
Jason163758
You and a lot of other people. Don't mess with the veterans.
"Trump was one of the worst offenders..."
"I became a Christian and began like, actually reading the Bible. The more I became in touch with faith, the easier I could see Republican politicians parading the Bible around and using God’s name for their own gain without actually living by the Word."
"Trump was one of the worst offenders, and I wondered why I ever put any faith in him that could have been used to help the poor, the needy and the sick exactly as Jesus would."
__Tdot__
What would Jesus do?
Answer: Not any of that.
"I expected Trump..."
"I expected Trump to lead the country in a productive manner in 2016. He led the country into chaos in 2020. Then when the Republican Party decided to back Trump after the January 6 Insurrection, I decided I'd never vote for another Republican cause again."
CleverlyCoathanger
For many who believed he could lead the country after 2016, COVID-19 was a total wake-up call.
"It was equally mind blowing..."
"I mainly supported Trump way back in 2016 because I liked McCain, and figured they would have similar values. But it was quickly lost when he started disrespecting his advisors, especially disrespecting Mattis."
"As someone who was in the military I remember people loved Mattis and for his 44 years in the military to be discounted by someone with no military experience showed me that Trump was more about power than actually caring about the welfare of others."
"It was equally mind blowing seeing people suddenly switch and then denouncing the general I saw them praising literally months prior. For me that was an eye opener, and everything else just was icing on the sh*t cake."
solitarytrees2
My, how quickly people turned! Unsettling, isn't it?
Although Trump has not officially declared that he will run in 2024, he is very much the favorite to win the GOP nomination. How many followers will he have gained or lost by then? Only time will tell.
Have a story of your own? Feel free to tell us more in the comments below!
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Elizabeth Warren Vows That She'll Have 9-Year-Old Trans Boy Sign Off On Her Education Secretary Pick
Four years under Secretary of Education Betsy Devos hasn't been great for LGBTQ students across the U.S.
Perhaps hoping to improve upon the past, Democratic Presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren told a crowd in Cedar Rapids, Iowa she would be consulting a 9-year-old transgender boy on her pick for Devos' replacement.
While Betsy Devos has used her power to deprive transgender students of Obama-era protections and completely stop investigations into complaints of transgender discrimination, Elizabeth Warren hopes to take a different direction.
Warren says that she will have a "young trans person" interview her future Secretary of Education and only hire thi… https://t.co/sALvl6TxLJ— Mary Margaret Olohan (@Mary Margaret Olohan) 1580399383
Warren told the attendees of the Cedar Rapids event that she had several specific criterion any candidate for Secretary of Education would have to meet.
"For my secretary of education, number one it has to be someone who has taught in a public school."
Voting is going on now in MI! I’m voting for Elizabeth Warren because she has clear plans for how to fix public edu… https://t.co/2KLLknrlON— Sherri Masson (@Sherri Masson) 1580477362
Her second criterion was based on her past interactions with LGBTQ youth.
"Number two, a young trans person asked [me] about a welcoming community… I'm going to have a secretary of education that this young trans person interviews on my behalf, and only if this person believes that our secretary or education nominee is absolutely committed to creating a welcoming environment, a safe environment, and a full educational curriculum for everyone will that person actually be advanced to be secretary of education."
“Elizabeth Warren assured voters that her selection for education secretary would be subject to the approval of a ‘… https://t.co/840PPdTUj4— The Post Millennial (@The Post Millennial) 1580685602
Warren's pledge was inspired by a young boy named Jacob, who asked her in October:
"What will you do in your first week as president to make sure that kids like me feel safer in schools? And what do you think schools need to do better to make sure that I don't need to worry about anything but my homework?"
Questioner asks warren what sort of people she would appoint as president. Part of answer: “my secretary of educa… https://t.co/q3ZqwpsBJT— Danielle Kurtzleben (@Danielle Kurtzleben) 1580598540
Which is to say: Yeah Iowa Dems dislike trump but some of the most INTENSE anger/dislike I’ve heard out here in the… https://t.co/wAxi9m3OM4— Danielle Kurtzleben (@Danielle Kurtzleben) 1580598841
Jacob's mother Mimi told Out about how proud she was of her son's journey.
"He has struggled with his own identity, with coming out to us and to himself. He struggled to find his voice. Now that he has found it, and he can speak for so many kids. As a parent, that's all I want for my child. The evening was so powerful for our whole family and I don't think we'll ever forget it."
One thing seems certain: things would be better for young students like Jacob with Elizabeth Warren as President.
REM Frontman Michael Stipe Once Told Trump To 'Shut Up' At A Patti Smith Concert, And His Reaction Was Classic Trump
Years before Donald Trump became President, he was already being rude to people all over New York.
This comes as no news to New Yorkers.
But even Atlanta native Michael Stipe—frontman for the band R.E.M.—has a story.
He told the story of having to tell Donald Trump to shut up at a Patti Smith concert. He told his tale while being interviewed on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
You can watch the interview here.
According to Stipe, he was attending a Patti Smith charity concert at Joe's Pub in Manhattan in the late 1990s when a large, rude man came in with his date and began talking loudly during the music.
After the man wouldn't stop talking, Smith told him:
"Excuse me, that's my friend. And you have to stop talking. ... Stop! ... What are you doing? Shut up."
Of course, we now know that man was none other than future President Donald Trump.
@Newsweek Now you'll get arrested and thrown into solitary confinement.— John Reay (@John Reay) 1580489703.0
Without yet calling out Trump by name, Stipe described what the man did in response to being chastised.
"The guy got up and left. He walked out. He took his date, who he was obviously trying to pick up, and left the club."
@Newsweek I wish we could all do that and have the same effect.— Jeff Yorkes (@Jeff Yorkes) 1580489641.0
Colbert and Stipe also discussed R.E.M.'s continued battle to stop Trump from playing their music at his rallies.
Stipe disappointedly explained:
"It's a licensing problem and there's nothing we can do except respectfully request that he not."
Twitter loved Stipe for telling Trump off when he had the chance.
Michael Stipe is a treasure 😍 https://t.co/Dll8fbXSNm— Chris Milam (@Chris Milam) 1580488680.0
I love you Michael https://t.co/MbA8wanjhG— Joshua Sanchez (@Joshua Sanchez) 1580486248.0
R.E.M. is taking pains to be on the right side of history.
Michael Stipe is such a gem. Proud to be an alum of UGA, where he started creating music with R.E.M. Great intervie… https://t.co/zOBSP7JPQ1— Jenn Lee (@Jenn Lee) 1580485391.0
@Kjfitzdude @pitchfork He loves Patti Smith so much. Never get between a Stipe and his Patti— Alex Dismore (@Alex Dismore) 1580489653.0
Perhaps the real question is why on Earth Donald Trump would be at a Patti Smith concert.
Gotta love Michael Stipe a bit more for this <3 (and how could Trump be at a Patti Smith concert is beyond me O_o) https://t.co/gIn03iYDNB— J (@J) 1580482987.0
@RollingStone Obvious question -What was Trump doing at a Patti Smith show?— Numero Uno (@Numero Uno) 1580487423.0
The world needs more Michael Stipe.
@remhq Man do we need Michael Stipe right now. Good thing we have him.— Notorious DPO (@Notorious DPO) 1580486874.0
Thanks for doing what many wish they could, Michael Stipe. Only the luckiest people in the world will have the opportunity to tell Donald Trump to "shut up" before they die.
Former Bush Speechwriter Has An Unsettling Prediction Of What Trump Will Do If He's Acquitted By The Senate
Even as the evidence corroborating President Donald Trump's corrupt dealings in Ukraine continues to pile up, it remains a near certainty that the Republican dominated Senate will acquit him at the end of his impeachment trial.
It remains to be seen, however, if at least four Republicans will break with the party and vote to hear additional witnesses.
Now, a speechwriter for former President George W. Bush is predicting what will happen if the Senate vindicates Trump—and it's not pretty.
Michael Gerson wrote in a recent column for The Washington Post:
"The president never views a near-miss as an opportunity for reflection and reformation. He sees it as permission to indulge his every urge, and his most consistent urge has been to seek unfair advantage in the upcoming presidential election. The months between Senate acquittal and the November vote will be fertile ground for further cheating."
Gerson's prediction that Trump will engage in further attempts to meddle with the 2020 election is far from baseless.
The President's now-infamous July 25 call, in which he urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden, occurred only one day after Robert Mueller testified before Congress that he didn't have enough evidence to charge Donald Trump for conspiring with Russia to influence the 2016 election.
Democratic House impeachment managers, while making their case to the Senate, have cited this in warning that Trump will continue to corrupt the Democratic process if he's not held accountable, with chief impeachment manager Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA) saying:
"If we don't stand up to this peril today, we will write the history of our decline with our own hand."
With Republicans standing firm beside Trump, Gerson says in his column that there's only one road to accountability left:
"Trump avoided accountability after the Mueller probe. He is likely to avoid accountability for the Ukraine squeeze. That leaves one last source of accountability — the election in November. This will be a test, not of the Republican Party, but of the republic."
People agree with Gerson that Trump will only get worse if not held accountable.
A massive voter turnout in 2020 is vital to make Trump a one term President. You can register to vote here.
For further discussion about American democracy and election interference, listen to season two of Oh Myyy Pod.
Trump Tweeted For Everyone To 'Read The Transcripts'—And Got Dragged Hard By People Who Actually Did
During the first day of his Senate impeachment trial, President Donald Trump tweeted from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, imploring people back in the U.S. to:
"READ THE TRANSCRIPTS!"
It turns out, many people have and, unfortunately for Trump, it doesn't do much to help him.
READ THE TRANSCRIPTS!— Donald J. Trump (@Donald J. Trump) 1579633684.0
Most who had read the "transcripts" (actually a summary memoranda) released by the White House knew they were incriminating.
@realDonaldTrump the one where you mention Burisma and the Bidens but not corruption? Yes, I read that one. The one… https://t.co/D8RujZmSgx— Jennifer Rubin (@Jennifer Rubin) 1579633960.0
@realDonaldTrump THERE ARE NO TRANSCRIPTS. IT SAYS SO IN THE DOCUMENT ITSELF. It’s a memorandum, #DerangedDonald… https://t.co/me6hsSalKn— GoodMansBrother (@GoodMansBrother) 1579633844.0
@realDonaldTrump Don’t mind me. I’m just here waiting for trump to actually release the transcripts. All he has rel… https://t.co/1ZFE6KcnZ9— Todd Awesome (@Todd Awesome) 1579633789.0
Several people even pointed out the sections in which Trump appears to be pressuring Ukraine into investigating Joe Biden.
@realDonaldTrump You mean the ones that have you trying to bribe Ukraine? Here? https://t.co/zVRDQSrH9r— Sarah Burris (@Sarah Burris) 1579633752.0
@realDonaldTrump "I want you to do us a favor though"— Jeff Lewis (@Jeff Lewis) 1579633705.0
Those transcripts are literally the first reason President Trump is being impeached.
@realDonaldTrump Americans read the transcripts* and the majority supports Trump's impeachment. I stand with impea… https://t.co/a8Jo0luepX— Angela Belcamino (@Angela Belcamino) 1579633861.0
It seems unclear whether or not many of Trump's supporters have actually read the transcripts, however.
I'm still laughing at this "Read the transcripts" 😂🤣 https://t.co/BG9FXU9ppr— StanceGrounded (@StanceGrounded) 1579298594.0
@realDonaldTrump RESIGN TODAY— Jeff Tiedrich (@Jeff Tiedrich) 1579633939.0
But, for the President's critics, reading them again serves as a reminder to keep on as we've been doing.
@realDonaldTrump We did. Hence the impeachment.— Brian Tyler Cohen (@Brian Tyler Cohen) 1579634028.0
@realDonaldTrump WE DID. THAT'S WHY YOU'RE IMPEACHED!— Andy Ostroy (@Andy Ostroy) 1579647304.0
@realDonaldTrump And while reading the transcripts, see if you can find the word corruption anywhere in the two cal… https://t.co/C0sj7ADlrN— Morten Øverbye (@Morten Øverbye) 1579633877.0
While we're making strange demands of each other, there are a few other things American citizens would love for you to do, Mr. President.
@realDonaldTrump Release your taxes— Guy Wilson (@Guy Wilson) 1579641301.0
Sometimes, it feels like President Trump is trying to convince us we're insane and he's the only person we can trust.
@realDonaldTrump WE DID!! RELEASE THE WITNESSES AND EVIDENCE!! INNOCENT PEOPLE DON'T CONCEAL!! https://t.co/crLy1Ah3LX— Michelle of ze resistance 🌊 (@Michelle of ze resistance 🌊) 1579633790.0
For once, President Trump and his critics seem to agree: everyone should read the transcripts.