How to talk to MAGA relatives over the holidays [View all]

Many of us are dreading upcoming holidays with MAGA kin we can't avoid. I've been thinking about this and I have two suggestions and a warning.

Let me know what you think. I value feedback and even pushback from my DU family.

Suggestion 1. Politely disagree with blatant falsehoods. Your BIL says some Trump lie at the Thanksgiving table? You're afraid to speak up, because manners. Politely say, "I don't think that's true." Repeat as necessary. Keep saying it, with slightly different words. "That's not what I read." "I don't agree." "That's not my understanding." Repeating, calmly but firmly, is very powerful. Don't feel obligated to cite a lot of facts and figures. You're not trying to change their mind. You're stating your disagreement. You're not going along with falsehoods and bigotry. Silence is complicity. Don't be silent. Don't let them get you emotional, either.

Suggestion 2. When Trump voters talk about how wonderful things will be as soon as Trump takes office, say "I hope that's true." Over and over again. "I hope that's true." Don't argue. Don't try to make them see how bad RFK Jr. will be. They won't listen. Just say, "I hope that's true."

The Warning. Trump has promised the moon and it's not possible for all those wonderful things to come true. When they don't, Republicans will try to shift the blame to Democrats. Don't let them.

Already, here on DU, we hear echoes of that "blame the Dems" strategy. Please don't give into that. Don't assume blame.

For once, let the Trump voters confront their disappointment without letting them shift the blame. Our democracy depends on this.