WaPo opinion: Don't waste your breath trying to convince Trump supporters he's repugnant

[ehrnst]

“If You Don’t Know Me by Now,” the rhythm-and-blues song by Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, is instructive. If by now minds haven’t been made up about Trump’s repugnant racism and religious intolerance, nothing said or done from this moment on will make a difference.

The sad truth is that with all that Trump has said and done, millions of Americans don’t see where he has ever crossed the line.

Slurring Mexican immigrants as criminals and rapists? Calling for a ban on all Muslims coming into the country? Suggesting that a U.S.-born judge overseeing a Trump University lawsuit should recuse himself because of his Mexican heritage (“He’s a Mexican,” Trump said)? Saying people in the United States from Nigeria will never “go back to their huts”? Referring to Haiti and African countries as “s---hole countries” while wishing the United States would take more people from places like Norway? Tweeting that four black and brown members of Congress — three of them born in the United States — should “go back” to their countries of origin? Launching a slimy birther crusade against President Barack Obama? Constantly resorting to racially charged language?

....................................................

What he believes in, they believe in. Trump’s loyal base of supporters rejects or ignores any charge of bias. They stay locked in, because they see things his way; he is speaking for them.

So, don’t waste time trying to convince them that Trump has a dark side.

They have heard what you heard; have seen what you’ve seen. The difference: They delight in the Trump thoughts, words and deeds that you denounce.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/dont-waste-energy-proving-trumps-racism-get-him-out-of-the-white-house/2019/08/16/89883596-bf95-11e9-a5c6-1e74f7ec4a93_story.html

[Ninga]

1. Yep. The wool over my eyes has grown large holes. I have been forced to see what I thought

wasn’t there...at least in the overwhelming numbers...so I thought. I said, ya sure there are racists but but but but not so much, right? Right!

Wrong. Sadly, tragically wrong.

[JI7]

2. for those who waste their time it's really worth reading right wing boards, comment sections and

and other places where you can hear and read what they are saying.

this isn't a case of people being misled . these people enjoy the harm that is being done to "those people" . they are full of hate , bitterness, resentment etc against "those people" . they are drowing in victimhood .

they also don't care that he is doing things like selling out the country, making tax payers fund his never ending vacations at his shitty property and all the other shit he is doing.

we have more videos and pics with Trump and epstein but they respond back by conspiracy theories on the Clintons.

[RKP5637]

5. There has always IMO been a large portion of America filled with hatred, racism and many

phobias. tRump, has managed to pull off their masks, unite them as a voting block and their hatred makes them all feel good. It is their essence of life. ... but I never realized there were so many filled with such lustful hatred that they would stand with such a disgusting individual as tRump, no matter what he did. There is an element of fright in this, as we've seen in history what united hatred can do.

They will not change, because it is a core essence of their being. Maybe a few might change, but many IMO are hard core haters.

[stopbush]

29. Bingo! And that fact that tRump pisses off the "libtards" with his hate speech is a bonus

to the knuckle draggers.

[Takket]

3. agree 100%

this is why our candidates should not waste a dime on them, and why i have to resist the urge to point out their stupidity when i see it on-line! I just keep reminding myself that they are most likely either a Putin bot, or just a flat out dumbass who will NEVER understand anything.

There was that twitter thread that went out a few weeks ago from a guy that helped defeated David Duke and i remember one of the first things he said was don't waste your time on drumpf supporters because they are GONE.

[Funtatlaguy]

4. His repugnance is part of his appeal to them.

He hates the same people they do.
Or, at least, he acts like he does.
I don’t think he actually cares.
People are just props to him.
All disposable.

[kentuck]

6. Very true.

And liberals fail to understand this appeal.

They love him.

[Quixote1818]

12. Bingo!

[Pacifist Patriot]

28. Exactly

[stopbush]

30. In fact, his followers have learned to hate people they didn't hate pre-tRump.

If he hates them, they hate them. Just tell them who to hate. They are eager to follow dear leader.

[no_hypocrisy]

7. I don't believe it's Trump himself.

These sheeple will follow the next Trump Wannabe, whether it's his son, Junior, or Ted Cruz following in his footsteps.

[gordianot]

8. Trump supporters are essentially brain dead.

They may have been relatives, friends, people you respected at one time but they are now gone. A few may wake up spontaneously but will never be the same again.

[Kurt V.]

9. i know a lot of republicans. most support trump. for various reasons i have their respect.

so when i tell them what i think of trump they know i'm talking about them as well. if it gives them even a moments pause its not a waste of time. I'm not trying to change their mind about trump, I'm trying to get them to reflect on their own morals.

[Thekaspervote]

17. "A better man than me McGee."

[RAB910]

10. If they support Trump, they themselves are repugnant

[sharedvalues]

11. No no no! They are reachable. Corruption. "Getting suckered"

Many Trump supporters don’t know the truth because they only listen to rightwing propaganda media like Fox and Limbaugh.

There are things you can say to them that WILL persuade them.

See this article:

However, our poll also revealed that despite Trump’s dominance of the news the last few years, Wisconsin voters are very unfamiliar with much of his record. Some negative stories—the Russia investigation, his tweets, and even his plan to repeal the Affordable Care Act—have already broken through, and thus don’t move voters away from him in a significant way.

But our poll also indicates that there is a wealth of negative information about Trump that causes Wisconsin voters to say that they’re significantly less likely to vote for him. On top of that, Trump’s erratic behavior, constant lying, and checkered past make voters more likely to believe negative information about him than a typical incumbent.

Democrats can thus make gains by:

1. Eroding Trump’s strength on the economy;

2. Hitting him on Medicare cuts;

3. Hitting him on his failure to drain the swamp;

https://crooked.com/articles/pollercoaster-2020-wisconsin/

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

36. He has increased gov't spending without building or repairing any infrastructure.

He has, however, transferred $110 million to his golf properties.

[Goodheart]

13. Yep. They're deplorables.

[secondwind]

14. He's one of us, they say. And it's true.

[marlakay]

15. Spoke to Trumper today from New York

Older guy. Said to me your just mad he talks without thinking!

I said so much more than that. He says he's given everyone jobs. I said for low wages so that most have to have 2 or 3 and still can't afford healthcare.

He said nothing. I said republicans must be happy they got two supreme judges one stolen, tax cuts, abortion almost illegal. He says nothing. He knows it's the truth.

I say the republicans will now let us win to fix up their mess financially like they always do and to get rid of Trump which they just used.

Still quiet. Wow. He was a nice guy over here in Ireland for wedding. I am in Dingle.

[SayItLoud]

16. The lemmings are given support and validation by

the talking heads at Fox and all the other right wing pundits. As they were conned by tRUMP they are conned by the right wing media. The media needs them to make money. Perfect example is El Drugbo Rush. He flipped from being a staunch conservative to being an enabler of tRUMP as soon as he realized that his listeners had bought into the tRUMP con and he would either lose them, his show and millions of dollars a year or go with the tRUMP flow. He made his choice. Same with Hannity. The idiots on Fox and friends do what they are told. When (we hope and word for) tRUMP is out these media slime will continue to milk the tRUMP cult for all they can get. Come the next rePUBIC to run for potus, who will either be another tRUMP (if his base hasn't dissolved or died off) or a "new conservative" they will then adjust their political ideology to match that person.

A lot of words to agree with the OP. Save your breath with regard to the tRUMPERS. Use your energy to get out the vote!
Just sayin..

[UTUSN]

18. "What he believes, they believe" - He doesn't believe in anything, just USES their beliefs.

Well, what he believes is anything that is good for him.

[Wounded Bear]

19. For them, it's a feature, not a bug...

[Lucky Luciano]

23. .

[MRDAWG]

20. Limbaugh, Hannity and others have taught them............

to hate government. If you hate something it makes you happy seeing it destroyed.

[mountain grammy]

21. My husband talking to his evangelical brother

Husband: he’s so racist he’s getting innocent people killed by his supporters

Brother: no he’s not. I support him all the way.

Husband: then you’ve got to be racist..

Brother: yep.

[defacto7]

22. They do change. Some are changing. I've seen it for myself.

Much of what it writen on line is written by paid or political propagandists. Much is also written by people dumb enough to fall into their trap. Unfortunately many of our own fall into the trap believing that the propaganda is always written by the sheep. There are the hard core lost but in my experience they are not held so much by political beliefs as they are religious extremism which requies them to trust their god not their own eyes. They can overlook all the deviant behaviour and even join in through faith because their ends always justify their means. But even the hard core evangelicals change though very few because they have to deny their faith, family and peers. Brainwashing is almost impossible to break alone.

So I agree to a point, but the article is way too simplistic. I think it's a bifurcation fallacy.

[ProudMNDemocrat]

24. When opining about Trump, I have been using the words RACIST and HATE......

More and more. My fact-based opinions are aimed not so much at Trumpers, but those who have expressed regret voting for the man, those who have been hurt by his policies, with any glimmer of hope with change of mind.

Using the word RACIST and Trump together,in light of the past month and Trump's tweets, associates voters and supporters with the long history of violence towards others who are different. I also use the word...HATE as well. That seems to get people riled up even more.

[Cosmocat]

25. Donald Trump is a symptom

The end result of going on a half decade of conservative propaganda stoking the lowest elements of the human spirit.

BUT, it is a decision to allow the Rush Limbaughs of the world crank up you grey matter.

[MarianJack]

26. I've said before and I'll say again...

...Dolt45 doesn't have supporters. He has worshippers...stupid, pea brained worshippers. Barf!

RESIST!

[dlk]

27. The Sad Truth About Trump Supporters They Know How Truly Awful He is, They Just Don't Care

[HeartlandProgressive]

31. great post n/t

[lpbk2713]

32. Doobie Bros -- What a Fool Believes.

But what a fool believes he sees
No wise man has the power to reason away
What seems to be
Is always better than nothing
And nothing at all keeps sending him...

[Newest Reality]

33. In most situations...

Where you have an opponent, be it an individual or group, it can be essential to follow the dictate: Know your opponent!

That is an important and fundamental strategy if you are trying to change things or win in a confrontation, (be it up close or in general).

That means you don't simply go with what you feel, think or believe about them and of course, that is often plagued by distortions and grossly exaggerated generalizations which only water down your capacity to engage or respond, and it also tends to devolve into mere name calling, repetitions of catch phrases, denigration, etc. Now that might be emotionally satisfying and cathartic and even a means of rallying with one's peers, but it is essentially useless and tends to increase the conflict and the misunderstandings that ensue. Inflammatory remarks are not a strategy at all and both sides resort to them when diametrically opposed.

We can indulge in a common tendency to confirm our own biases, (which is fine) but if we want to actually begin to do something pro-active and with a strong, strategic thrust that takes words and concepts to a level of action and change, (and we begin with our concepts) then the most powerful thing we can do, collectively, is to not just resort to knee-jerk reactions and the media bait that often illicit them, put aside what might blind us to insights and make it our task to KNOW OUR OPPONENTS and KNOW THEM WELL!

If we can find the clarity and strength to begin that approach, then the intelligence and responses required to transform and win will be ours and we will take the superior position in that respect. I also would point out that I did not use the word enemy because it does not really apply from within a society or country if you want to be accurate and not divisive in regards to your fellow citizens, (unity) no matter what they think or do.

That's just my POV.

[patphil]

34. I never argue with Trump supporters.

There is an old saying, "None are so blind as those who will not see."
Their hate has blinded them, and they like it like that.

Patrick Phillips

[Ligyron]

35. What the Post opinion article states is true for most of Trump's base.

However, some, hard as it is to believe, still don't realize how bad he is and we didn't need many of them to have won that last election and avoided this disastrous further hollowing out of the middle class.


If we can convince even a small number of those who voted for Trump in '16 not to in '20 we can get rid of this monster and win the most importation election since the Civil War.

[Ilsa]

37. They no longer believe anything the free press says,

so they default to the only one they trust: the liar-in-chief. I have seen this. They are burned out on trying to discern the truth. They bought the propaganda.

[CrispyQ]

38. "He isn't hurting the people he's supposed to be hurting."

Remember her? A Trump voter in Florida who complained about the Trump shutdown & how it impacted her family. She voted for a candidate who promised he would be mean & do harm to another group of people, a group she disapproved of because of the color of their skin.