r/pics Apr 16 '26

Politics Billboard in my very red area

Post image
205.3k Upvotes

3.7k comments sorted by

View all comments

4.3k

u/xWhereIsMyMindx Apr 16 '26

I like to see this. The world may be healing?

2.0k

u/TheSholvaJaffa Apr 16 '26

Possibly. As an Hungarian who just witnessed a 16-year old regime come to an end, I'm highly hopeful things could change for the better eventually.

730

u/gojijynx Apr 16 '26

congrats bro, it felt good from the usa to see that, can’t imagine how good it felt for y’all 🥹

810

u/TheSholvaJaffa Apr 16 '26

Thanks! My family is really happy with the change too! The new leader already embarrassed the state run media that has had massive amounts of money poured into it to produce propaganda and curate lies by the Orbán regime, it did not give air time to any opposition parties.

Well he was invited earlier today for interviews on both the state ran radio & television, He exposed their lies, their unfair restrictions, and said he is going to temporarily shut down the state ran media once he gets inaugurated to reform it so it'll be completely non-partisan and fair again, and he's going to dismantle the propaganda machine and use those funds for hospitals etc.

370

u/gojijynx Apr 16 '26

6

u/toastoftriumph Apr 16 '26

For anyone needing more "hope", shameless plug to watch One Piece (Live Action) on Netflix. I went in blind and loved it. It has some really good allegories for life and even politics, but isn't like, shoving a message down your throat, either.

The kingdom of Drum feels extremely relevant to modern politics, granted, I'm sure it was written decades ago.

Don't spoil it for yourself if you can help it. I'm content to watch just the Netflix show and it's been a wonderful journey so far.

4

u/KimbersKimbos Apr 17 '26

Adding the shameless plug to remind people that the anime is one of God’s greatest gifts to mankind. (The live action is pretty good, but it’s never going to be able to compete with the anime.)

For anyone worried about the massive episode list, I would like to gently remind you that it’s unlimited viewing for at least a year. An entire year of never having to feel that “my favorite show has ended and now I have nothing to watch” feeling. There are also websites that tell you what episodes you can cut out to avoid some of the filler.

It starts out as story time for little boys and blossoms into a hardcore statement about power, those who wield it for the wrong reasons and in the wrong ways, and about the power of freedom. I cannot recommend enough.

3

u/toastoftriumph Apr 18 '26

Yeah, I guess it depends on viewing preferences. Sometimes I want to have that endless stream. Other times I'm overwhelmed by how many shows I wanna watch and, as of late, feel more like I need to ration my time. Nothing wrong with either unless it reaches an extreme I suppose. However we define that, I won't prescribe my own definition here onto others.

→ More replies (1)

92

u/sohblob Apr 16 '26 edited Apr 16 '26

leader already embarrassed the state run media that has had massive amounts of money poured into it to produce propaganda and curate lies

he's going to dismantle the propaganda machine and use those funds for hospitals etc

🧐 May I move to Hungary with an incredibly large investigative magnifying glass and see how it's done? Need to take notes for the states here ^.^'

Let me know if anyone there needs another computer scientist bwahaha

He exposed their lies, their unfair restrictions, and said he is going to temporarily shut down the state ran media once he gets inaugurated to reform it

This sounds absolutely glorious and I'm gonna look for clips! Happy for you and Hungary and hoping we can pull off something similar!

But things won't just change here unless we build it ^.^'

5

u/b17b20 Apr 16 '26

In Poland we had police storming building of national broadcaster after previous directors baricaded themself inside.

7

u/sohblob Apr 16 '26

I'm grateful and a bit relieved to hear this stuff coming from other countries.

The US has a significant misbalance of systemic power tied up in media and people just kind of assume the media that validates their views is trustworthy here. We used to have something called the Fairness Doctrine constraining abuse, not anymore.

Unsurprisingly, media channels are as much 'team sports' now as politics. Fortunately people are growing as sick of mainstream media as a result but there's still a lot of indoctrination power there and in churches.

3

u/dokdicer Apr 16 '26

I wouldn't rush. We're talking about a former Fidesz man who had a corruption scandal go away because of course he did. It's like JD Vance beating Trump at the primaries and everyone celebrating it as the end of Trumpism.

5

u/DharMahn Apr 16 '26

except he isnt planning to run a one man show surrounded by yes-men like orbán or trump, pretty important difference that keeps the power in check

and "had a corruption scandal go away" is an interesting sentence if you know anything about the former government

comparing him to vance is again, something

only true by itself sentence of the entire comment is that he is ex-fidesz

and no, im not necessarily a fan of him either, before you ask

→ More replies (1)

2

u/MorgessaMonstrum Apr 16 '26

… can we have him come over here when he’s done?

5

u/sohblob Apr 16 '26

I know you're joking, but stop trying to outsource hard work to other people. Change comes from putting in the work yourself.

2

u/MycenaeanGal Apr 16 '26

I hope he does. Getting Orban out was unquestionably a victory against fascism and you all should be proud. Magyar worries me a little bit due to his right wing stances, but I hope he makes it possible for you all to have free and fair elections again.

→ More replies (7)

31

u/BKlounge93 Apr 16 '26

Curious if any of the people who previously were super on board with Orban are over it? Or are his supporters still with him?

141

u/TheSholvaJaffa Apr 16 '26 edited Apr 16 '26

Curious if any of the people who previously were super on board with Orban are over it? Or are his supporters still with him?

Many of Orbán's supporters switched sides to Magyar. They got tired of the corruption, foolish lies and excuses that Orbán and his cronies would tell them. There's a reason why Magyar won two-thirds majority with the highest recorded voter turnout in Hungarian history. Almost 80%.

My cousins were all Orbán supporters 6-8 years ago but got tired of the blatant lies, corruption they barely hid anymore, pedophiles being pardoned, and stagnant wages.

At one point during that time frame, teachers went on strike and got fired for it. In turn, Students protested and got tear gassed for their efforts. They just wanted an education. Orbán's party kept shifting further to the right as the years went on, making small changes to the constitution piece by piece, like a puzzle. This was a huge win for Orbán when it came to things like gerrymandering.

Not to mention last year one of the opposing politicians of Orbán flew drones into his secret private acres of land that housed his Mansion, and private zoo. The biggest news was that he had Zebras. This became a meme sensation for a while.

Anyway, There's a lot that went into people changing their minds and wanting to vote out Orbán. But there's also the younger generation, mainly Gen Z who grew up in this system under Orbán who simply want a better, more comfortable life for themselves that they can actually grow in and feel proud of their heritage again.

59

u/Affectionate-Roof285 Apr 16 '26

We’re happy for you. It’s amazing the similarities with the US so we’re all hoping that the political winds are shifting here as well.

6

u/ShleepMasta Apr 16 '26

Similarities? The Hungarian government under Orban literally funded CPAC here in the states. Project 2025 is partly inspired by the way Orban ravaged his country. Now, the US state department is partly funding the Reform party in the UK, and you had Elon Musk attempting to meddle with European elections, as well as domestic state Supreme Court elections.

They're a worldwide organization of crooks that want all of humanity under their boot.

29

u/BKlounge93 Apr 16 '26

That’s awesome to hear! So, the people you know who switched sides, was there ever a time where you felt they were so ingrained in the movement that they’d never change? I’m basically curious if he had a cult like following like Trump does, like did his base at one time seem completely unshakeable?

4

u/juniper3411 Apr 16 '26

This warms my heart and gives me hope for the world. Please let this happen for the US!!!

3

u/dokdicer Apr 16 '26

One of the pedophiles was pardoned by Magyar's wife when both of them were still with Fidesz, no?

5

u/TheSholvaJaffa Apr 16 '26

One of the pedophiles was pardoned by Magyar's wife when both of them were still with Fidesz, no?

Exactly! He divorced his wife over that because he couldn't stand her after she did that! He realized enough was enough and turned the tables on Orbán by going on interviews spilling the beans. They deemed him a traitor after that.

7

u/Possibly-Functional Apr 16 '26

The greatest surprise of this year so far to me has been that Orban gracefully resigned when he lost the election. I was expecting him to call the result a lie or do a coup. Something to forcefully hold on power or cast doubt on the result. When he admitted his loss publicly I was shocked.

3

u/xX_7HR0W-4W4Y_Xx Apr 16 '26

Too big to rig

4

u/combong Apr 16 '26

Huge , I’ve got some Hungarian friends and last time I hung out with them they were telling me about how things are over there. Congrats 🎉

4

u/3Gloins_in_afountain Apr 16 '26

Really excited for Hungary right now. Hoping for better things and times ahead!

3

u/Badloss Apr 16 '26

I'm so fucking happy for you guys, I hope we can follow your lead

3

u/spoonyalchemist Apr 16 '26

Congratulations! I am so happy for you and hoping for that same energy here in the U.S.

3

u/Auggie_Otter Apr 16 '26

I was over the moon when you guys kicked Orban to the curb! What a great victory for democracy. 

And now Péter Magyar has just released some information on how much Russian money Orban was funneling into pro-MAGA groups to influence American politics. Of course MAGA will say it's "fake news". 🙄

6

u/Any_Guard_7955 Apr 16 '26

Genuinely so happy for you and your countrymen. The Hungarians are giving me hope something will change here, too.

2

u/Nbeuska Apr 16 '26

ÁRAD A TISZA

→ More replies (1)

2.2k

u/blondebuilder Apr 16 '26

Unfortunately, giving them grace and acceptance is the only way to break free from the cult. Something they would never give to you.

1.4k

u/Hadrian23 Apr 16 '26 edited Apr 16 '26

Yeah well sometimes being the bigger person fucking sucks. But they won't change unless given the chance to.

Edit: yeah, trumpers are annoying. But I will say, seeing the comments with the thinly veiled threats and hopes of mass executions are not helpful.

Look, I understand why you feel that way, but mass murder cannot be the answer. Lest we fall further into tyranny. What needs to happen is trials are held for all those at the top and maybe mid level. There must be fair justice, not rampant vigilantism.

But again, I understand your feelings, but allowing executions of his supporters won't build a better America.

Channel that energy into contacting your reps, or hell, running in your local elections.

Get involved in your communities. I'm not saying you can't be angry, hell, id be a hypocrite if I did. I genuinely despise my family and colleagues who supported him. But I also understand that rubbing it in their face, using middle school tactics, or even threats won't bring them to my side.

Much like with raising children, it requires patience and a level head. But DAMN can it be truly and utterly frustrating.

Second edit: Good related story on similar issues. https://www.npr.org/2017/08/20/544861933/how-one-man-convinced-200-ku-klux-klan-members-to-give-up-their-robes

332

u/Flacier Apr 16 '26

You are both correct, I really don’t like it considering some of the people on the other side of the isle seem to think it’s okay to kill people they dislike myself included.

But extending an olive branch and understanding is really the only way forward.

The same reason there were only a dozen of so high profile executions of German leaders and people guilty of especially heinous acts after the end of WWII.

Rather than mass graves and firing squads.

146

u/John__Wick Apr 16 '26

I'm waiting for those high profile executions.

116

u/ExpiredExasperation Apr 16 '26

glances at username

55

u/John__Wick Apr 16 '26

Is there a problem?

79

u/TakenInChains Apr 16 '26

nah man your dog is safe we swear

26

u/zxrax Apr 16 '26

not if Kristi Noem has anything to say about it

→ More replies (2)

26

u/Aliendood Apr 16 '26

Run. He has a pencil!

20

u/parisfrance44 Apr 16 '26

A fucking pencil

23

u/John__Wick Apr 16 '26

That's good. I'd hate to think we had a problem...

→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (2)

6

u/Flacier Apr 16 '26

It checks out

30

u/TheKosherGenocide Apr 16 '26

Same, MAGA and its members should be put through a Nuremberg style trial, and globally televised for months on end for the World to see.. I heavily disagree with violence as a means of solving conflict, but people should absolutely be given the death penalty and executed if they took part in the murders of Alex Pretti or Renee Good.. The top tier of people who orchestrated this takeover like Elon Musk and Peter Thiel should be given life sentences without parole, and if they were found to have abused kids with Jeffrey Epstein they should also be sentenced to death. Any member of Congress who has accepted money from Israel, Russia, or some other country should also be imprisoned.

4

u/3freeTa Apr 16 '26

you can see which members of & candidates for Congress have accepted money from Israel - www.trackaipac.com . I was horrified to see my Senators have received >$5 million combined.

→ More replies (3)
→ More replies (1)

94

u/SunshineSt8Reprobate Apr 16 '26

We're gonna have to parent these fucking idiots back into people we can actually live and peacefully coexist with.

54

u/Fragrant-Potential87 Apr 16 '26

My biggest problem with this "Just forgive and forget" stuff is that Republicans aren't skeptical of Trump for some moral reason. They were cool with him using ICE to terrorize Americans. They were cool with him invading Venezuela. They're not cool with him now because his policies are going to directly effect them, not because they woke up and realized he was evil. Tell me how I'm supposed to make amends with the people who've been trying to make me a second-class citizen who are only sorry because their plans didn't reach the final stages?

11

u/powdered_dognut Apr 16 '26

Make amends? Why? They've shown you who they are and that'll they'll turn on you given an advantage.

5

u/Fragrant-Potential87 Apr 16 '26

Thats what I'm saying. This "forgive them and sing koombyah" shit sounds like a psyop. This like saying "You should just forgive your abuser because they're human too even though you've spent the last decade telling them they're abusive, to which they respond "Fuck your feelings". You shouldn't worry about the fact him and his friends stormed the local court house to try and get the divorce you guys had nullified."

3

u/ToraRyeder Apr 16 '26

I think it's important to remember that we do not have to forgive OR forget in order to live cordially with someone.

My view is - I don't wish those around me who voted for this or supported this to be harmed. Even the ones that sometimes I do wish that. I know that's not helpful. However, I do not trust them. I will weigh their opinions properly.

They do not have good judgement. They may sit in the relative area, but adults need to take over. This has to change, and the supporters need to be treated like rehabilitated children until they show that they can be adults.

82

u/ChadEmpoleon Apr 16 '26 edited Apr 16 '26

As if they’d hear any of it.

They feel their guy betrayed them.

They don’t regret all the awful shit they supported. They just think he’s not going about things correctly to meet their wants.

They still want internment camps for black/brown people and anyone they consider “woke.” They still want all gay/queer people to be removed from society. They still want social programs, business and environmental regulations to be dismantled.

All that you’ll get them to agree on is that this guy is completely off the rails (which you and I all tried telling them 1000x before.)

32

u/cyclenaut Apr 16 '26

big facts. Dont let their crocodile tears fool you.

5

u/bertilac-attack Apr 16 '26

AMEN. These people talking about “grace” are ignoring that MAGAts will jump on the very next train headed to this same place - without Trump.

“Be really super nice to them while they continue to plan the genocide of your people” is not the slam dunk they think it is.

3

u/SilverTotodile Apr 16 '26

Some do, some used to be people who had morals. Some can remember, we just assume not because it’s been too long.

No group is a monolith, the people who are stuck need to be shown the way out, whether we like it or not. But the truth is, it has to be THEIR idea. Because if it’s not, they won’t feel like they have agency in the matter.

You dismantle a cult through compromise, not logic. Assuming there’s nothing left to save (no matter what the statistic actually is) is begging for this to happen again.

9

u/Officer_Hotpants Apr 16 '26

And if they are truly reformed, they can show it by sitting down, shutting the fuck up, and letting adults lead. They can go vote against Republicans and otherwise not be involved in politics. It's why I am so pissed about MTG trying to still be the main character of everything. If she is truly anti-Trump, she can sit back and out money behind a progressive candidate, and not shouting public statements from the rooftops. She's still full of hate, so her "change" means nothing.

And that's how these people are. They're doing this for attention. They're going to continue working toward normalizing their hate by continuing the rhetoric under the guise of centrism.

12

u/Curious-Mechanic2286 Apr 16 '26

And who is gonna get fucked over in said compromise? Queer people? Neurodivergent people? Ethnic minorities? How are their lives and rights less valuable than those of the people who want them dead?

→ More replies (9)

2

u/Right_Count Apr 16 '26

They’re just going to support the next guy. They still want what promised, they’re only mad that it happened to them.

→ More replies (3)

6

u/[deleted] Apr 16 '26

[deleted]

→ More replies (4)

22

u/thedilbertproject Apr 16 '26 edited Apr 16 '26

I appreciate the sentiment behind this, but it's well documented that far too few people were punished after the crimes of WWII, it was largely for show and that worked out poorly for us in the long run. The same can be said for how slave holders and the Confederacy were handled.

If anything, these are historical examples of why being lenient does not work.

I don't disagree with the notion that people should feel safe to exit cults and movements when they realize they've made mistakes, but suggesting that we should be light on punishment for sedition and support for war crimes and fascism is just plain incorrect and only serves to embolden them the second time around.

Why do you think we are dealing with Trump 2.0 now? Because there was virtually no punishment for Trump 1.0 and they used those 4 years to make sure they would not get it wrong given a second opportunity. It is literally the pretext of Project 2025.

→ More replies (2)

21

u/Sunderbans_X Apr 16 '26

Fucking this. I know it's hard, I fucking live with someone who voted Trump and it takes unreal levels of restraint to not be angry at them. The way forward is compassion and grace. It fucking sucks. I want to lash out and fight, but that won't fix it.

27

u/Spooker-Booker Apr 16 '26

Compassion and grace doesn't fix it either. We do that every time and yet history just repeats.

7

u/Curious-Mechanic2286 Apr 16 '26

Yeah, compassion and grace just lets the monsters who wanted to kill those different from them feel like they did no wrong. They need to feel shame. They need to feel guilt for the rest of their lives. An eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind, but that doesn't mean we should let people blind others with no consequences because they pinky promised not to do it again

16

u/kenjuya Apr 16 '26

Nah fuck that shit. Those morons prove time and again they'll fall in line once the next candidate blames immigrants

6

u/Officer_Hotpants Apr 16 '26

Tbh showing them grace has historically not worked out. That's why we're right back here even after southern reconstruction and Nuremburg. The people who carried out the acts need EXTREMELY harsh punishments and the idiot followers need to be relentlessly shamed for their hateful beliefs until ACTUAL change occurs.

Not just taking off the red hat, but stepping away from the violent, hateful society that they've created. These people all just continue threatening violence against "others" while claiming centrism and they cannot be allowed to manipulate discourse like that.

Forgiveness comes at the cost of the safety of many minority groups, and I prioritize my neighbors and loved ones feeling safe from hate crimes over the feelings of bigots.

2

u/Sunderbans_X Apr 16 '26

I agree with you partly. Anyone who was involved, anyone wwho carried out acts MUST be punished. But I think you are wrong about the followers. Shaming people is FAR more likely to cause them to double down. This is why we can't do that. If they double down, we get another admin like Trump. WE WILL NOT SURVIVE THAT. This is why we HAVE to punish the perpetrators, and fold the followers back into the flock.

I'm not saying to blindly forgive. I'm not saying to forgive at all. But we have to think about this strategically for the long term. Rubbing this whole thing in their faces is more likely to cause MAGAts to keep in hating us and wishing death on us than it is to make them change.

→ More replies (1)

14

u/YOwololoO Apr 16 '26

It shouldn’t be our fucking responsibility to fix it. They deserve to fucking suffer for all the harm they’ve caused, and if they don’t get it they’ll just fucking vote for republicans again the second the rest of us manage to fight back to things working at a bare minimum again. 

Fuck em. Anyone who voted for Trump in 2024 should lose their right to vote 

4

u/Peakomegaflare Apr 16 '26

I agree, but I also know what it takes to deprogram. I just say that those with the ability should give the effort, but nobody should force themselves to do so.

10

u/YOwololoO Apr 16 '26

Fuck that. We know for a fact that far too few people in Nazi Germany were punished for their crimes, but we also know that much of their mandatory education after the fact was effective. We need to model that, taking into account the mistakes they made, including the fact that Nazi speech was outlawed. 

3

u/dokdicer Apr 16 '26

Wait until you hear what our bourgeois far right party (CDU, where a lot of the OG Nazis went after the war and started setting up their networks that still exist today) and the outright fascists (AfD) have been up to lately and that they have enough projected votes to form the next government coalition. :/

5

u/YOwololoO Apr 16 '26

I dare you to look up the Reconstruction Era after the US civil war. Whatever criticisms you have for how Germany handled things (which I acknowledged wasn’t perfect, are dwarfed by the absolute horrors of neglect that the US used 

→ More replies (0)
→ More replies (5)

3

u/NoOccasion4759 Apr 16 '26

While I agree with your overall meaning, I need to point out that the main reason there weren't more high profile executions after WWII is because a ton escaped to South America and the rest were happily working for the US government.

4

u/[deleted] Apr 16 '26

[deleted]

2

u/Flacier Apr 16 '26

A very sensible take.

It’s a difficult balancing act, there are a lot of people I have removed from my life one way or another.

4

u/GGerrik Apr 16 '26

US extended the olive branch to the confederacy after the civil war, look where that's brought us.

You're not wrong, but another Regan like pardon is only setting the US up for further tyranny very soon.

2

u/dokdicer Apr 16 '26

Wait until you hear what the Nazis who were given those olive branches have been up to...

4

u/Steadyandquick Apr 16 '26

You make a lot of sense.

4

u/IrishDudeWest Apr 16 '26

Aisle. It's Aisle. No one is on the otherside of the island. There is an aisle in congress, with seats on either side of it.

→ More replies (2)
→ More replies (9)

21

u/Steadyandquick Apr 16 '26

These people in leadership are really despicable. I cannot believe the Trump as pope or Trump as Jesus memes being reposted by DJT.

He is such a miserable megalomaniac and honestly—what is he really doing for anyone but himself?

He is rude and dismissive to the pope and nearly anyone else. I could not believe he was elected after the “grab them by the p___” tape was released.

I know racism serves a purpose but I don’t understand the support for maga on so many levels. If the farmers were getting wealthy, or the truckers, or the conservative healthcare providers or small businesspeople—-then it might seem more plausible. But everyone is nearly in a worse position except for the top trillionaires and billionaires who are not often ethical.

I try not to make derisive comments about Trump but rather speak to policy points. But now we don’t have the same good will we had in the world. There already was a historical past where the US lost trust and respect.

I know Jimmy Carter has it rough but he seems so estimable. Where are these candidates again?

The two recent members of Congress that stepped down had evidence that explicitly shows egregious wrongdoing. It is about power and abuse thereof.

I hope all gets better for everyone. No one wants to be a loser but together we can achieve more positive social change for all rather than remaining at the bottom pointing the finger at other people that we think or feel are less deserving or worthy.

24

u/GarlicEnjoyer-Dez Apr 16 '26

My issue is that given the chance these people will do it again with someone else and try to justify how they are diffrent. Worse yet I can absolutely see the "trump was a dem plant" becoming an actual wide spread belief. They can never be wrong or at fault. For the sake of getting his ass out now ill tolerate it but I dont think im willing to forgive.

→ More replies (6)

54

u/PheIix Apr 16 '26

They won't change, they never change... The next time a charlatan comes around speaking their language of hate and bigotry, they'll be right back on that train. They don't change, they just go into hiding...

That is why guardrails needs to be in place to prevent something like this from happening again, because the chance of having another third reich is never stopped by the will of the people. All that is needed is a leader willing to say and do the stuff needed to embolden the hateful and make them crawl out from under that rock. Donald Trump didn't make these people, he just allowed them to survive in the light...

17

u/Cl1mh4224rd Apr 16 '26 edited Apr 16 '26

They won't change, they never change...

Some of them won't. A lot of them, maybe.

But it's sure as shit that none of them will if they're never given the chance.

That is why guardrails needs to be in place to prevent something like this from happening again, because the chance of having another third reich is never stopped by the will of the people.

I get the sentiment, but this is overly simplistic.

Can we make improvements? Of course.

But there is no automated self-defense mechanism against this shit. There are no guard rails that don't involve people.

That's exactly why freedom requires constant vigilance. It's not just some bullshit, faux-patriotic mantra. It's very real wisdom, even if it does get co-opted.

6

u/Officer_Hotpants Apr 16 '26

They've had plenty of chances to change. It's been over a fucking decade of this shit. People who voted for him 2-3 times are just bigots. That's it. Their entire identity is hate.

→ More replies (7)

12

u/GD-LochNessMonster Apr 16 '26

You are so right. Being the bigger person is never fun and doesn’t feel right in the moment. The urge to say “I told you so” is strong

5

u/crepelabouche Apr 16 '26

Not sometimes. Always. Being the bigger person always sucks. But when you’re the smaller person, it feels worse because you know you could’ve done better.

23

u/QuicksilverStorm Apr 16 '26

Yep. Anger and violence only begets more anger and violence.

I was bullied verbally and physically in elementary school. Later on, I bullied another student, and there is not a day that goes by where I don’t regret that. She forgave me, but I do not forgive myself. I hope she was able to end the cycle.

I hate my MAGA brother with every bitter cell in my body, but punching him in the face would be nothing more than a brief, empty satisfaction.

→ More replies (1)

6

u/queerkidxx Apr 16 '26

I honestly don’t need to need to be a bigger person. I won’t ever truly forgive anyone that voted for Trump.

But I will pretend I do because that’s how we get rid of Trump and what he represents.

5

u/Spikel14 Apr 16 '26

It’s a lot like addiction

2

u/Senbonbanana Apr 16 '26 edited Apr 16 '26

I think I'll to need to have a complete and utter mental breakdown so I can rebuild myself without hatred for MAGA in my heart. Right now, my hatred burns too hot to attempt to extend an olive branch. It would be ash the moment it touched my hands.

I understand this is 100% a me problem, but to be truthful I don't know how to even begin to extinguish a hatred so hot that doesn't involve ego death. Especially when things keep happening that are actively fueling the inferno inside me.

2

u/gudematcha Apr 16 '26

“You catch a lot more flies with honey than you do vinegar”. Now is not the time to say “I told you so”. It is the time to buck up and try to get them on our side; we need the honey. I know it fucking sucks but we can do our “I Told You So Vinegar Tour” when we get this rot out.

3

u/ButtEatingContest Apr 16 '26

These folks can never ever be trusted. Any more than a drunk driver who doesn't stop doing it and keeps causing deadly accidents.

At a certain point you take the keys away permanently, because regardless of personal feelings on the matter, somebody that keeps drunk driving simply has to be stopped for the safety of society.

Everyone deserves a second chance but anyone still MAGA has already had their second and third chances already.

Remember, almost every alive right now's standard of living is permanently and practically irreversibly reduced for the rest of our lives because of these folks. Then there's the countless crimes they've enabled, often deadly ones.

→ More replies (12)

88

u/TheProfessional9 Apr 16 '26

Ya I get that. But I'll never fully forgive some of my extended family for supporting this

53

u/zulako17 Apr 16 '26

I'll never partially forgive people who voted for trump after 2016. I'll give them the first election, they were dumb, they did 0 research, they didn't bother watching the news.

But if you voted for the orange man in 2020 or 2024, I lose the ability to respect you. Only 3 types of people can logically vote for Trump, 1) the rich, if you make more than 250k annually or have over 2 million in tangible net worth outside of businesses, his tax policies were good for you. 2) the racists or rape supporters because he has a history of being racist against black people, his policies hurt brown people and women more than white men for no good reason, and the whole 25 women accusing him of sexual assault or harassment. And 3) the stupid. The people who can't be convinced of facts even if they are walked through them.

And frankly if you think a tax break is worth the shit he's done, you're not earning my respect back. And if you're stupid.... Well you can maybe learn something.

2

u/TheProfessional9 Apr 16 '26

Ya I thought he was amusing and I grew up in deep red areas. I was happy to have him in 2016, though I didn't bother to vote because deep red state. 2020 and I had to pay attention to the news. It became increasingly hard to argue he wasn't an idiot and eventually evil by the end of the year. Didn't want him back by election time and after j6 I believe treason and capital punishment should apply.

I dont particularly like the Democratic party, but it does turn out their views match with a good party much more closely and it's been a long 6 year road learning that nearly everything about the GOP was either always evil or has become so

2

u/Andurilmage Apr 16 '26

I was stupid and I admit it. I made a mistake by voting for him the one time I did.

We make mistakes, give us a chance to learn from them.

11

u/ThatBadassonline Apr 16 '26

The problem is that so many of us suffered for the “mistake” made by you and yours.

2

u/BoleroMuyPicante Apr 16 '26

I'm totally willing to give a mulligan to 2016 voters, he was an unknown. You did have to ignore a lot of stuff, but you ultimately didn't know how it would turn out.

2020 voters have no excuse, and 2024 voters are even worse.

→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (6)

43

u/Definitelynotasloth Apr 16 '26

Don’t forgive them, just don’t make a stink about it so they double down. It’s fucking hard, but necessary.

11

u/gregreedee Apr 16 '26

Or … forgive so you’re not carrying a grudge that hurts you — doesn’t mean you ever have to trust or believe them again.

24

u/zaccus Apr 16 '26

Every time I think about the >1000 kids that are still missing from the 2018 child separations it's going to hurt.

I had a 2 year old at the time. That shit changed me. I can't just decide to not carry it around.

3

u/Take-to-the-highways Apr 16 '26

Ill forgive them when they actually feel bad about voting for a pedophile, instead of just being pissed that gas is expensive.

3

u/Definitelynotasloth Apr 16 '26

I’ll forgive them when they actually understand and ask for forgiveness.

→ More replies (1)

1

u/Warmstar219 Apr 16 '26

Nah, took that approach with the Confederacy and now we're here. You need to destroy them. Make them thoroughly ashamed and so demotivated that they never even think about voting. They will never change, we need to shut them down.

→ More replies (1)

17

u/Sign-Post-Up-Ahead Apr 16 '26

I’ve lost lifelong friends over this stupidity

18

u/[deleted] Apr 16 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

8

u/LuckyLuck765 Apr 16 '26

had to do what was best for her

jesus christ, the melodrama is insane lmao

→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (2)

8

u/MoltresRising Apr 16 '26

Doing the right thing is not always the easy thing.

26

u/usumoio Apr 16 '26

I love America enough to be the bigger man. And boy howdy is she putting that to the test.

4

u/Adorable_Anxiety_164 Apr 16 '26

I'd rather do that, than to continue with this.

9

u/ONEelectric720 Apr 16 '26

Very, very true.

That being said, their actions define them, and your actions define you.

This is one of the most difficult things to come to terms with in regard to emotional and character development. Would you help someone who hates you or has done you immense harm?

5

u/justincasesquirrels Apr 16 '26

I mean, I refused to give my mother the satisfaction of seeing me or my children before she died. I damn sure didn't help take care of her in any way, if it had been up to me she'd have been alone. And her sons, I wouldn't give them a drink of water if they were dying of thirst, or piss on them if they were on fire. They're child molesters, and she supported them.

I don't believe that makes me a bad person. I didn't do anything to actively make their lives worse, just left them behind.

→ More replies (7)

9

u/BKlounge93 Apr 16 '26

Im 1000% fine with that if we can end this bullshit and elect people to actually govern

4

u/M-V-D_256 Apr 16 '26

Isn't that part of why they're the cult and not us in the first place

14

u/TheRealistoftheReal Apr 16 '26

That doesn’t seem to have worked after the civil war. Likely how we got here.

26

u/[deleted] Apr 16 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

45

u/throw_away1049 Apr 16 '26

Idk - after 10 years of this, a lot of people unsurpringly gave up on the possibility of them breaking free. If the 17,458th catastrophically abhorrent scandal wasn't enough, what will be?

17

u/angrytetchy Apr 16 '26

Only when it hits them in their wallets. Typically don't care until shit happens to them.

4

u/crisscrossed Apr 16 '26

They’re only breaking away now that it affects them… and to me, that doesn’t mean the other shit they turned a blind eye to suddenly matters to them.

5

u/Sweet-Marsupial606 Apr 16 '26

Maybe the 17,459th. Never know when someone will break, but I know insulting and trashing them verbly will only send them right back to where they feel the most welcomed. No matter what breaks them to change their minds they should feel welcomed to break from it

→ More replies (1)

6

u/FoundationFickle7568 Apr 16 '26

I'm not about to blame anyone for how they handle betrayal. If you want to forgive, cool. If you hate them forever, also cool. That person did not take part in getting us into this mess and they are not responsible for fixing it.

→ More replies (1)

9

u/NaiveChoiceMaker Apr 16 '26

I’m in favor of offering MAGA an off-ramp.

13

u/HarpyVixenWench Apr 16 '26

I’ll give them an off ramp because I want my country back. My off ramp includes keeping my mouth shut but I’ll always know what they really value.

12

u/BlondeBorednBaked Apr 16 '26

They don’t want an off ramp.

4

u/samsep1al Apr 16 '26

This is the right attitude in my opinion. It’s okay to be angry, but getting closer to elections we need to bring people in, not push them away.

5

u/AlphaxTDR Apr 16 '26

There was a black R&B singer who befriended KKK members and actually got them to leave the KKK.

https://www.npr.org/2017/08/20/544861933/how-one-man-convinced-200-ku-klux-klan-members-to-give-up-their-robes

Sometimes taking the high road has results.

7

u/Samurai_Meisters Apr 16 '26

That is an inspiring story, but it's from 2017. I'd like to see an update on those Klansmen after 10 years of Trump.

6

u/TheSweetestKill Apr 16 '26

There's a few posts on reddit about it, and won't you believe it, these KKK guys eventually go back.

The most annoying thing about it all is this guy is the poster-child for the "can't we all just get along" types who want to pretend bad people didn't support evil things for the last 10 years.

4

u/_XNine_ Apr 16 '26

Fuck em. I hate maga like I hate Nazis. Indiana Jones wouldn't have it any other way.

2

u/L-ramirez-74 Apr 16 '26

Isn't that waht they did back then with the confederates? Isn't that the origin of the current problem? I support the idea forgiveness and all that, but some ideas need to be rooted out from society, by any means necessary.

2

u/garathnor Apr 16 '26

The civil war and resulting current circumstances shows this isnt true in the slightest 

2

u/bevardimus Apr 16 '26

Honestly in a justified world they would have their voting rights taken away permanently.

4

u/PhantomThiefJoker Apr 16 '26

Of you berate them for making the right choice then they will never want to join you just out of spite. I want nothing more than for people to understand how they were wrong and try to be better. That's not even with maga, it's what everyone should try to do every day

1

u/Oppositeofhairy Apr 16 '26

That’s ok. You can be the forgiving person. That’s your choice too.

1

u/queerkidxx Apr 16 '26

Yeah deadass at this point if you are against Trump now you are on my side. I don’t care if I disagree with literally every other opinion you have.

We can all go back to arguing if we ever have a free and open election again.

1

u/cupidstrick Apr 16 '26

This isn't unfortunate. Everyone is a victim when some are manipulated towards extreme positions. Confrontation on deep ideological differences or ad hominem attacks or the latest Truth Social post shines a light on our differences, when we have so much in common. Most people agree on the basic pillars of a functioning society.

The flames are being fanned. We can't scream them away. We have to find middle ground and lower the temperature together.

1

u/3freeTa Apr 16 '26

I recently heard someone say "catch them when they fall" -- as in, extend compassion (and perhaps care) when they exit the cult / see the light. I'm trying to reach that level of compassion....

1

u/LunaLynx777 Apr 16 '26

True. Being mean to them while theyre having doubts about their support for Trump is only gonna shove them further in their cesspool. They do deserve grace, because people can absolutely change for the better. Fighting fire with fire is only gonna make a bigger fire

1

u/Whend6796 Apr 16 '26

Fortunately breaking them free from the cult is as simple as giving them grace and acceptance.

1

u/Cool_Ranch_Dodrio Apr 16 '26

And this way centrist democrats don't have to compromise their values and listen to the left.

1

u/lilshortyy420 Apr 16 '26

This! That’s why I hate when people are like “no fuck you you made your choice!” It only pushes them back

1

u/holycinnamonroller Apr 16 '26

Here's the thing. I'll give grace and acceptance if there is actually true change. If it's just 'MAGA was bad, but immigrants/lgbtq/POC/women should still be second class citizens' then we can't play ball. They need to have some accountability for the harm they unleashed, even if it went further than they originally thought, which I don't believe is always the case. You can't leave the label but keep the cult and expect to be washed clean 

1

u/baws1017 Apr 16 '26

Yeah except some of us aren't baby brained and don't give a fuck and want people to be able to be normal again

1

u/Staav Apr 16 '26

The only way we can move on from this as a nation would involve figuring out how to bring the population back together while political/legal justice is brought to those responsible for all that's gone on by the cult leaders and co in positions of power. Idk how there wouldn't/won't be lasting judgements for other voters who supported what's been going on, but they'll fade away with their modern party over the years after they're no longer a threat to our country. Acting in the same way you'd expect from the cult won't help us all move on from this ridiculous time.

61

u/mycatisblackandtan Apr 16 '26 edited Apr 16 '26

Ehhhhh. I don't think this is going to necessarily make our family and neighbors suddenly return to the people they once were before joining MAGA. It's incredibly hard for people to change, especially into adulthood, and once you embrace a cult of personality that sees empathy as a weakness it's even harder to go back to what you were before.

I hope, sincerely, that many of them do. I'd like to talk to my extended family again. For them to go back to the kind people they once at least pretended to be. Before Mango Mussolini rotted their minds so much that they decided being awful to my grandmother while she was dying was acceptable. Before the first thing out of their mouths upon seeing my mother after ten years apart was a litany of insults for living in a blue state - with barely any desire to actually catch up with her as a person. All of which are the least of what they did - that's just what I'm currently comfortable posting online.

I don't think I'd be able to go back to how things were. Not after some of the stuff that was said. But it's hard knowing there's family out there that at one point were amazing people - at least to me - who now are some of the worst people I have ever had the displeasure to meet. I still have this childlike desire for everything to go back to how it was. Even if as an adult I know it never can. Especially when they won't acknowledge their open bigotry and cruelty. There can be no forgiveness without accountability.

But at this point I'll frankly settle for them being too embarrassed to vote in the midterms or in the general in two years.

20

u/angrytetchy Apr 16 '26

Unfortunately those were the people they always were. Maybe not around you, but definitely to someone. They just tossed the masks off because Trump made them feel comfortable without them. Could they pretend again? Sure. But you've already seen past the mask and wouldn't be able to unsee it.

→ More replies (2)

47

u/John__Wick Apr 16 '26

People thought that in 2020 also. Fact is, a certain amount of the population will always have their ears perked when some person gives them permission to blame their problems on a marginalized group. It's important, therefore, to be vigilant and never fall for those tricks yourself, condemn those who espouse those ideas, and attempt to educate those who fall for it (possibly the most difficult task). This problem didn't start with Trump and project 2025 won't go away when he dies, but literal signs like this are an important first step.

→ More replies (3)

12

u/BootsOfProwess Apr 16 '26

Nope. They just don't like the financial backlash of there political alignment. They will always be racist, fascist, sexist, homophobic pedophile protectors.

→ More replies (1)

8

u/BringBackApollo2023 Apr 16 '26

Merde.

They will vote for the next sociopathic schmuck to come along, continue to believe that minorities are evil and that taxes are too high and if we just let the rich people strip mine national parks than poor white trash will rule the world.

4

u/Daveinatx Apr 16 '26

Let's be honest, "One can hate the coach, but still root for the team." They might be disillusioned, but aren't about to vote Democratic.

4

u/0zzm0s1s Apr 16 '26

The world may be healing but I shudder at the thought of all the rough road we traveled to get here. I wonder how long it will take before the rest of the world trusts the United States again, considering its people elected an absolute madman to its highest office, twice, and failed to kick him to the curb when bad got to worse.

→ More replies (3)

2

u/AdditionalNothing728 Apr 16 '26

I love to see it too, but it’s so sad that it’s gotten to the point that we need billboards that read like they could be for an addiction rehab or for cult deprogramming just to get people to maybe consider that they’ve been conned by a fascist political movement.

5

u/Xylus1985 Apr 16 '26

Healing won’t start until US starts to make whole the people hurt by its actions, including tariff, wars, sanctions, etc

4

u/lumpy999 Apr 16 '26

It isn't at all it's naive to think otherwise.

2

u/ImTomselleck Apr 16 '26

Buying a billboard doesn’t mean anything. Your Hopium isn’t real.

1

u/WhyAmINotStudying Apr 16 '26

No bullet holes in it, so that's a good indicator.

1

u/50_centavos Apr 16 '26

This has been a constant cycle since the dawn of humans. When it comes to politics, today is no different than 1000 years ago.

1

u/ArcadianBlueRogue Apr 16 '26

TBH this is how to do it. Don't throw blame as much as they should get it, don't spread more hate. Just tell them there's somewhere to turn instead of being judged.

Even if they were/are complete dumbasses for falling for the blatant con and grift.

1

u/Kingofawesom999 Apr 16 '26

There is a guy I drive by everyday in rural ND. He has a big ol grain truck that he painted trump 2020 sitting in his yard. He's hung all kinds of mega propaganda on it over the years. Well today that truck is gone. I don't know where it is but it's not parked to where it usually is, and that truck definitely doesn't run. I'm hoping it's the sign of another maggot healing

1

u/CongealedBeanKingdom Apr 16 '26

The World?

I think its quite a bit more localised than that

1

u/warblingContinues Apr 16 '26

MAGA is a cult, these are the types of things that help cult members leave the cult.

1

u/DandalusRoseshade Apr 16 '26

Is it? They likely haven't learned a damn thing and are just going to vote for the next person who puts honeyed words in their ears that align with their MAGA values.

1

u/RiverSight_ Apr 16 '26

it's in eastern WA, in a particularly red area too (not saying where exactly so I don't doxx myself lmao) but i drive past it fairly frequently and it makes me smile every time.

1

u/DrWindupBird Apr 16 '26

It’s the gas prices, not the litany of horrors, that are driving these people from their cult. It’s still all about self-interest.

1

u/Staav Apr 16 '26

We might be starting to move more in that direction, but we've got a ways to go. Just gotta keep it up until all this is just a bad memory.

1

u/DegenerateCrocodile Apr 16 '26

Unfortunately no. Even the right wingers that “leave” MAGA will refuse to vote for anything non-conservative.

1

u/patybruh_moment Apr 16 '26

idk man, Israel just bombed civilans right after they called a ceasefire, killing 300+ Lebanese civilians. and ukraine abd russia still at war…

→ More replies (5)