When People Tell Us Why They Voted for Donald Trump, We Should Listen

74 million people voted for Donald Trump. Writing them all off as irredeemable bigots risks deepening divides and repeating these outcomes in future elections. Instead of impulsively dismissing them as sexist or stupid, we should listen to what they say about the frustrations driving their choices. Understanding their grievances isn’t excusing hatred—it’s a crucial step toward bridging divides and protecting democracy.

The Lonesome Death of Civil Discourse

Civil discourse didn’t die with a bang—it bled out quietly, while most of us were busy yelling at each other online. I felt it this past summer on a family trip to Port Aransas, walking along the beach with my 11-year-old daughter. She pointed to a line of pickup trucks flying political flags, most of them…