Do We Offer MAGA Grace Without Any Remorse?
- Karen Tate
- May 14
- 7 min read
Updated: Jun 3
As reality sets in, do they get off scot-free? Can MAGAs say sorry - and mean it? Should we expect remorse?
Should We Offer Grace Without Remorse?
Can MAGAs Say Sorry?
“Perhaps what divides us now is not our political views, but our ethical beliefs.”
If you’ve been following my newsletters for awhile you know I will not win any awards for speaking in flowery language to avoid saying what I really mean. Maybe you like that about me. Maybe sometimes I’m too edgy. Maybe I sometimes make you uncomfortable. I don’t intend to ruffle feathers but I don’t like to mince words and I hate people who do because they often leave you in vague uncertainty about what they mean so they can’t be pinned down on anything. And I admire others who are direct and don’t mince words either – even if they might make me uncomfortable. I can take it. It’s preferable to me than cowardly obfuscation and this whispering behind one’s hand.
So as MAGAs begin to wake up, realize the leopards are going to eat their face off too and not just the faces of the Libs, as they feel the pain themselves and realize the humungous mistake they’ve made and join the ranks of the #FAFO, (F**k Around, Find Out) it has sparked some interesting conversations. Case in point, a recent Lincoln Project video on social media that laid bare how incredibly insane it was to vote for Trump and expect things to go well. The narrator in the video, in my opinion, was being realistic about feelings of frustration that anyone could be so misinformed or selfish to vote for Trump. The ad was explaining to a generic MAGA who might be listening just why we find their decision to support Trump once, twice or three times beyond the pale and what they might expect moving forward.
I shared the ad with friends, several being people I thought might be newly awakened MAGA. I felt the ad was educational and explained the depth of the destruction that’s been wrought and why so many people’s hair is on fire. My sense has been people like them have been getting their news from Fox or have not been paying much attention. Their excuse is keeping up with the ugliness of politics makes them feel bad or might cause them to be ‘disconnected from the flow’ or they don't want to spend the time necessary mired in the muck to keep up. They tell themselves it's not loving to hear all that or be involved in all that negativity. They apparently have cognitive disconnect that voting for Trump and Project 2025 isn’t acting in a compassionate, positive or loving way, but I guess they don’t let themselves think about that.
I will admit, I was disappointed hearing the responses to the video. More amazing cognitive disconnect. The following is a composite of the reactions I heard: One asked “where’s the grace,” and “that’s not the kind of reception I expect” – or words to that effect. Biting my email tongue, I was patient and explained the video’s theme wasn’t about finding common ground – not yet. It was just explaining why non-MAGAs are so incredulous anyone would have voted for Trump – ever, but especially after we got a taste of him in the White House in the first administration and barely survived his incompetence, insurrection and corruption. The video explained why we question the values and judgment of Trumpers. The person didn’t seem to hear any of that. Just wanted to focus on the missing “grace and warm reception.” They wanted to be embraced into the fold for having walked away from Trump. But did they really walk away? They are not talking against Project 2025 or coming to rallys. Or are they becoming uncomfortable being MAGA these days witnessing the millions of protesters in the street? Are they paying attention now or might flip back to being gullible again? I was hesitant to roll out a red carpet.
Well, in the interest of Oneness, unity and agape or love in the sense of the common good, because I believe we must all come together to stand against the oligarchy, I suggested Never Trumpers would doubtless meet former MAGAs half-way but explained people might offer a faster and warmer reception if MAGAs would show at least a glimmer of remorse. Open arms and compassion might be more forthcoming if they said they were sorry for throwing in with the Orange Menace. Could they at least admit they were duped? Give us some explanation for voting against democracy, the constitution and the rule of law. Throw us a bone so we don’t feel like fools or apprehensive for trusting you now or being your ally. Well, in this particular case, any accountability or regret seemed a bridge too far for the former MAGAs who then took (in my opinion) a sanctimonious, holier than thou and morally superior position criticizing me for expecting any semblance of remorse from Trumpers for being part of the force destroying so many lives.
Of course, the people waking up are no monolith. We see everyday people online having their “come to Jesus” moment and admit they #FAFO. We’re hearing about them losing jobs, businesses, contracts and money. They understand prices are going to be higher. But I wonder about the ones still mincing words. Still not able to say out loud Project 2025 is destructive. Admit Trump is who we’ve seen him to be for the last decades. I found it unreasonable that given the destruction to the country caused by Trump and his enablers some of these former MAGAs want a pat on the head or a pass for their part in bringing the country to it’s knees – as if they’re innocent instead of complicit. They want to get off scott-free for their values and stupendously bad choices and seem in denial about all the pain and destruction they’ve helped bring about. After all the threats and violence, the life-savings lost, the jobs and livelihoods destroyed, the insurrection, the people who died needlessly during poorly managed Covid-19, the betrayal of Trump’s oath to the Constitution, the felonies and assault charges, the corruption and criminality, so many broken laws and lies and so, so, so much more devastation and destruction. Do they still consider all that fake news?
I was a little dumbfounded because they wanted grace – the very thing the MAGAs are incapable of giving anyone. The double standard is astounding – but that has been a Republican trait – along with never saying they are wrong or sorry. I guess these MAGA apples I was talking to didn’t fall far from the Trump tree.
We bloggers write about what’s happening in our lives and I think this is an issue we might all soon encounter. Maybe we should plan how we’re going to react on a case by case basis;
Some I know have written them all off because if their values and judgment were so misguided and toxic they don’t want them in their lives. If they paid so little attention to Trump’s history and voted without information, they are low information voters and aren’t responsible and civic minded citizens. They’re probably still gullible, selfish, racist, sexist and/or misogynist. Period. Nada. Here’s the hand.
Others are trying to compartmentalize; Embrace them in the interest of Oneness and unity so we have the numbers needed to turn things around but we’re not planning to invite them to dinner anytime soon. That’s okay. We don’t have to be BFFs to be allies.
Are they paying attention now? Some said what a great businessman Trump is. How do we fix this low-information problem? We can't waterboard them with facts even if that's what it might take. They need a reality intervention!
Listen, I know I’m no saint. I probably speak out sometimes when I should remain silent. I have strong opinions and defend them. I’m a human doing the best I can do to live a conscious life caring for people, but I don’t mince words. And I don’t think I’m a hypocrite. I feel it is reasonable to say Trump and his MAGA followers have contributed to the destruction of people’s lives, the country, the constitution, democracy and the rule of law. They have condoned violence and threats to hold a country hostage based on lies and misinformation. To coddle them or to have to use flowery and innocuous language and just allude to the destruction, loss and pain but not say it to them plainly because… why? You might hurt their feelings? It might offend? Are they snowflakes?
With so much at stake, can’t we just speak plain truth? Some might even call it employing some tough love. If your kid messed up, wouldn’t you tell them clearly and succinctly what they did and the consequences? Are we not entitled after decades of this hate to vent at least a little in the process? Let them hear what they’ve stirred up in the zeitgeist. Reality check time people!
Shouldn’t they hear cold and hard facts? What has happened – what is happening everyday - needs the disinfectant of light shined on it. Having good judgment and morality matters!
I think what I’m suggesting is a small expectation, especially considering what they’ve been complicit in creating. We are not just arguing about tax policy! If they were kids, we could send them to bed without supper. Ground them for a month, make them write 1000 times I was wrong to support Trump who is destroying the country….. then we’ll open our arms and give them a hug, but only after they say, “I’m sorry.” It’s called accountability and some assurance they recognize the damage done and that should elicit some remorse. Is it too much to ask to hear that they’ve learned something? Is that really so hard and so much to expect? Do we have to coddle them for their shame and pride?
Well, I’m not cooking them a pot of chicken soup - unless they bring some crusty baguettes.
Five Reasons Why Some People Will Never Say I’m Sorry
Why Is It So Hard to Say I’m Sorry?
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