If you’re sitting down this Thanksgiving with a Trump supporter, remember: their choice wasn’t harmless or abstract—it was a vote for cruelty, lies, and authoritarianism. In 2024 alone, Trump has embraced white nationalist rhetoric, calling immigrants poison to America’s blood. He’s threatened to execute political opponents, likened his rivals to vermin, and vowed to rule as a dictator. He’s attacked judges, incited violence, disparaged Jewish Americans, and spread conspiracy theories and election lies. Supporting him isn’t a political stance; it’s a declaration of allegiance to hate, division, and the unraveling of democracy.
Letting this slide in the name of “keeping the peace” isn’t civility—it’s surrender. Silence across the table is complicity. Challenge them. Hold them accountable. Make it clear: choosing a man who thrives on fear, violence, and dehumanization is a moral failure.
Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude, but it’s also a time for courage. Democracy dies in silence. Hate thrives on politeness. Stand up, speak out, and don’t let them forget that their choice comes with a cost—starting with your refusal to let it go unanswered.
Thanks, Mersault....I don't agree that all of his supporters were declaring an allegiance to hate. Many were motivated by inflation and immigration. But you are completely right about the need for courage.
I detect a faint measure of optimism in your post. With all due respect, I don't think it is warranted.
You said you thought the Senate will ultimately reject a request, from Trump, to make recess appointments. Why ?? Like the German junkers and industrialists who caved into Hitler, and like the Roman senate which bowed down to Caeser, I think the Spineless, odious, Republican castratos of the Senate will defer to Duce Trump. Do you remember that in the immediate aftermath of Jan 6, Mitch Mc Connell delivered some great verbal zingers against Trump; however, in a short span of time he became a pathetic poodle once again.
You also said that you were hopeful about the Supreme Court. Do you remember their decision of July 1, 2024 which essentially said that the President is above the law. Read Sonia Sotomayors sagacious and wonderfully savage dissenting opinion. Do you remember that one of the Sup Ct. Justices flies insurrections flags over his home !!
ANOTHER ISSUE (This makes me Angry and Worried):
Trump has signaled that his appointeess should not have to endure FBI background checks
I remember that in 2016 and 2017, FBI background checks revealed that many of Trump's appointees had Russian connections that they had denied ever having.
Is Trump poised to be the second coming of Quisling (A man high up in the Norweigian government who told the army to stand down and let Hitler take over Norway.)
BTW, read my most recent substack article in which I posit possible explanations, for Kamala's loss, that most people haven't thought of.
Dan Pfeiffer wisely noted that DT fears nothing more than losing. Sensing that Matt G. wasn’t doing well, DT may have just thrown him under the golden bus. Or others have suggested it may have been another bait and switch, which is also a DT reflex. Does the Senate have a psychiatrist on staff? I can’t think of a better way to spend our tax dollars.
These are all great, important and appropriate questions, Jon. Sadly, each of these nominees is media trained and, to some extent, at least in some cases, media savvy. So what’s to prevent them, per usual, from simply dissembling and refusing to answer by changing the subject, something Trump’s supporters, probably wouldn’t care one bit about, and might even applaud?
Thank you, Jonathan. "These fragments I have shored against my ruins." There is hope in all this, that flickers amidst the pervading dark. To my way of thinking the success or failure of the recess appointment tactic is something of an acid test. If our flawed institutions can at least prevent von Clownstick from going down that road, the leaky dam may hold. If not, we're on bullet train to dictatorship.
Trump Relative at Thanksgiving?
If you’re sitting down this Thanksgiving with a Trump supporter, remember: their choice wasn’t harmless or abstract—it was a vote for cruelty, lies, and authoritarianism. In 2024 alone, Trump has embraced white nationalist rhetoric, calling immigrants poison to America’s blood. He’s threatened to execute political opponents, likened his rivals to vermin, and vowed to rule as a dictator. He’s attacked judges, incited violence, disparaged Jewish Americans, and spread conspiracy theories and election lies. Supporting him isn’t a political stance; it’s a declaration of allegiance to hate, division, and the unraveling of democracy.
Letting this slide in the name of “keeping the peace” isn’t civility—it’s surrender. Silence across the table is complicity. Challenge them. Hold them accountable. Make it clear: choosing a man who thrives on fear, violence, and dehumanization is a moral failure.
Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude, but it’s also a time for courage. Democracy dies in silence. Hate thrives on politeness. Stand up, speak out, and don’t let them forget that their choice comes with a cost—starting with your refusal to let it go unanswered.
https://open.substack.com/pub/patricemersault/p/an-open-letter-to-trump-voters?r=4d7sow&utm_medium=ios
Thanks, Mersault....I don't agree that all of his supporters were declaring an allegiance to hate. Many were motivated by inflation and immigration. But you are completely right about the need for courage.
I detect a faint measure of optimism in your post. With all due respect, I don't think it is warranted.
You said you thought the Senate will ultimately reject a request, from Trump, to make recess appointments. Why ?? Like the German junkers and industrialists who caved into Hitler, and like the Roman senate which bowed down to Caeser, I think the Spineless, odious, Republican castratos of the Senate will defer to Duce Trump. Do you remember that in the immediate aftermath of Jan 6, Mitch Mc Connell delivered some great verbal zingers against Trump; however, in a short span of time he became a pathetic poodle once again.
You also said that you were hopeful about the Supreme Court. Do you remember their decision of July 1, 2024 which essentially said that the President is above the law. Read Sonia Sotomayors sagacious and wonderfully savage dissenting opinion. Do you remember that one of the Sup Ct. Justices flies insurrections flags over his home !!
ANOTHER ISSUE (This makes me Angry and Worried):
Trump has signaled that his appointeess should not have to endure FBI background checks
I remember that in 2016 and 2017, FBI background checks revealed that many of Trump's appointees had Russian connections that they had denied ever having.
Is Trump poised to be the second coming of Quisling (A man high up in the Norweigian government who told the army to stand down and let Hitler take over Norway.)
BTW, read my most recent substack article in which I posit possible explanations, for Kamala's loss, that most people haven't thought of.
https://davidgottfried.substack.com/p/are-you-tired-of-the-same-old-explanations
A few thoughts on Trump's Appointments https://torrancestephensphd.substack.com/p/if-pete-hegseth-is-a-problem-what
I recently finished your book...great writing; but too sad an ending
thanks for reading it, alice....The election is sad but I thought my Lincoln ending was hopeful...
The "R"'s get to govern, it's all on them. Make them wear it 'Morons Governing America Again ".
I just got the new book. I plan to read it once I get to a more settled state of mind. For now I’ve hidden the photo of DT on the cover.
Dan Pfeiffer wisely noted that DT fears nothing more than losing. Sensing that Matt G. wasn’t doing well, DT may have just thrown him under the golden bus. Or others have suggested it may have been another bait and switch, which is also a DT reflex. Does the Senate have a psychiatrist on staff? I can’t think of a better way to spend our tax dollars.
These are all great, important and appropriate questions, Jon. Sadly, each of these nominees is media trained and, to some extent, at least in some cases, media savvy. So what’s to prevent them, per usual, from simply dissembling and refusing to answer by changing the subject, something Trump’s supporters, probably wouldn’t care one bit about, and might even applaud?
Fair point, Joel, and most will get confirmed...But a few have some 'splainin' to do, as Ricky said of Lucy.
Who did the "We Are Hiring" graphic? It's excellent
I wish we had a time machine and Roslynn Carter was back in the White House!
There won’t be anyone left at the bottom of the barrel!
Thank you, Jonathan. "These fragments I have shored against my ruins." There is hope in all this, that flickers amidst the pervading dark. To my way of thinking the success or failure of the recess appointment tactic is something of an acid test. If our flawed institutions can at least prevent von Clownstick from going down that road, the leaky dam may hold. If not, we're on bullet train to dictatorship.
I agree...
We need reasoning - which the written words above are - not conjecture and wildass reckoning.