But I stuck with MAGA. The fear of losing my community terrified me. For the better part of a year, I spent myriad sleepless nights wrestling with my conscience.
The final straw came for me on May 24, 2022, when a gunman massacred 19 kids and two teachers at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. MAGA’s response was that we needed more guns. My research had shown me that was egregiously mistaken. Overwhelmed by guilt for having contributed to this madness, I quit MAGA.
Three months later, I published a mea culpa, in which I renounced my support for Trump and apologized for my hurtful deeds and rhetoric. I never imagined that anyone would care. But the opposite was true: I was deluged with requests for help from people hoping to save their relationships with their friends and loved ones in MAGA.
I mean, that kind of tracks for someone who has historically only thought of themselves.
Don’t get me wrong, there must be a path to redemption, and this one seems to be on it, but they’re not as far down that path as they think.
Most of them will never try to redeem themselves they will just stop talking about it.
The day I see a three time Trumper stand between ICE officers and an immigrant then I’ll think they are actually on the path of redemption. But they hate immigrants so it won’t happen.
Maybe if I were to see them actively supporting progressive causes, like donating money and volunteering hours… Maybe. I need to see action.