An Open Letter to Regretful Trump Voters
Grappling with Buyer’s Remorse After the Election? Here’s How to Make Things Right
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UPDATE: I posted this on December 27, about eight weeks after the election, as Trump’s post-“win” rhetoric grew more alarming. I expected my usual readers, not Trump supporters, seeking talking points or catharsis. Since then, the article has topped 200,000 views. While most are likely from my regular audience, I’ve heard from over two dozen Trump voters who now regret their decision. Here are a few:
"Hey, I just wanted to reach out and say I regret voting for Trump. I didn’t realize before the election how bad things could get, but now it’s clear how dangerous his words and actions really are. I thought he’d be different, but I was wrong. I’m not sure how we fix this, but I wanted you to know that not all of us are ignoring what’s going on."
“I felt pressured to cast my vote in his favor, despite my preference for an independent candidate. Ultimately, I found myself dissatisfied with both major candidates. I recognize that it's important to vote in alignment with my values, and I acknowledge that I should have followed my convictions.”
"I voted for Trump and I truly regret it."
“He lost me when he set the January 6 rioters free. Totally criminal and wrong.”
"I only voted for Trump because I thought he'd start a civil war if he lost. Now I see I was totally played."
[From a fist-time voter] "I can’t believe I voted for him. We've seen what Donald Trump really is, and it disgusts me to my core."
Since December, the situation has deteriorated dramatically. Explore my latest articles, where I confront the escalating chaos and denounce both Trump's reckless actions and his supporters' willful ignorance.
To the MAGA cultists lurking here just to double down on your ignorance and hate: I’ve written this article especially for you—An Open Letter to My Gloating MAGA Neighbor.
Dear Regretful Trump Voters,
This letter isn’t here to judge you. It’s not about sanctimoniously wagging a finger or berating your choices—whether you voted out of frustration, party loyalty, or the dubious conviction that you were choosing the lesser evil. It’s about confronting a moment of reckoning—a crossroads where we must face the catastrophic consequences of a gamble gone disastrously wrong.
For those who clung to the hope that Trump’s presidency might soften his extremism, or dismissed warnings as partisan hysteria, the past eight weeks have stripped away every illusion. If you thought it couldn’t possibly be worse than before the election—if you dared to hope for moderation or reason—those hopes have been obliterated. His actions since November haven’t just continued down the same perilous path; they’ve accelerated with a fervor that lays bare the authoritarian playbook in stark relief.
The evidence is overwhelming, stacking up faster than lawsuits at Mar-a-Lago. Every word, every policy, every unchecked outrage confirms the grim trajectory ahead. The stakes have never been higher, and the truth has never been clearer: the danger is not hypothetical; it’s here. Your response to this moment won’t just define your own moral compass—it will shape the future of our democracy.
Rhetoric Turned Darker
Since the election, Trump’s rhetoric has spiraled from divisive to downright apocalyptic, a dangerous escalation even beyond his pre-election excesses. His recent Truth Social posts exemplify this unraveling. The day after Christmas, in a message that should have celebrated unity, Trump instead unleashed a tirade—railing against political opponents, the justice system, and even President Biden. What could have been a moment of holiday cheer became another battle cry steeped in paranoia and vengeance.
In just weeks, Trump has gone further than ever before. He’s proposed using the military to suppress domestic dissent, a suggestion so chilling it reads like the rejected plot of a dystopian novel. He’s called for imprisoning journalists who dare to report the truth, sought to sue or jail political opponents, proposed extreme voting restrictions based on fabricated fraud claims, and emboldened violent extremists by casting their threats as justified outrage. These aren’t just inflammatory words—they’re calculated moves to undermine democracy.
For those who hoped his post-election presidency might bring moderation or reason, the evidence couldn’t be clearer: it’s worse. These actions aren’t isolated—they’re part of a deliberate strategy to destabilize democracy and consolidate power. Trump’s chaos is by design: sowing fear, attacking institutions, and presenting himself as the sole savior in a crisis of his own making. The consequences of this path are deliberate, dire, and demand a reckoning.
Pay-for-Play Corruption on Display
The corruption we’re witnessing under Trump isn’t a deviation from his promises—it’s the realization of them. What was once hinted at in shadowy whispers has now become an unashamed spectacle. Since the election, the already glaring pay-for-play system has grown even more brazen, transforming governance into a grotesque auction where power and influence go to the highest bidder. Corporate leaders are now funneled into closed-door meetings, not to collaborate on policy, but to pledge financial fealty in exchange for favorable treatment. Under the guise of “support,” loyalty isn’t earned—it’s coerced.
Inauguration donations have become open displays of transactional politics, with pharmaceutical giants, tech firms, and Wall Street executives tripping over themselves to secure Trump’s favor. Charter Communications quadrupled its contribution to curry favor for regulatory rulings. Big Pharma pledged over $10 million to stall generic drug approvals, effectively holding affordable medication hostage to protect their profits. Even Uber’s CEO dropped a cool $1 million to the inauguration, seeking an edge in labor and regulatory battles. These aren’t outliers—they’re features of a system unapologetically transactional, corrosive, and profoundly undemocratic.
It’s worse now than ever before. During the campaign, such practices might have been dismissed as exaggerations. Now, they’re undeniable facts of Trump’s governance—a model where public trust is auctioned off to the highest bidder. For voters who believed Trump’s promises to "drain the swamp," the evidence couldn’t be more damning. Far from cleaning house, he’s thrown open the doors and handed over the keys to the vault.
This isn’t governance—it’s an auction block where democracy itself is up for grabs. If this is what we’re seeing before he’s even sworn in, the implications for the future are staggering. For those beginning to regret their choice, it’s not too late to reckon with what’s unfolding and to act before the system, designed for the few at the expense of the many, solidifies. As corruption becomes normalized under Trump, the next logical step in his playbook emerges: surrounding himself with a cabinet engineered not to govern, but to dismantle democratic institutions entirely.
➡️ Explore my latest article exposing the brazen profiteering and bribery surrounding Trump's inauguration.
Trump’s Coronation of Corruption: How Corporate Cash Fuels Authoritarian Ambitions
A Cabinet of Cartoon Villains
If you thought Trump’s pre-election rhetoric was troubling, his post-election appointments should set off sirens. What began as a campaign of divisive bluster has metastasized into a calculated assault on democratic norms, human rights, and public trust. Trump has surrounded himself with a motley crew of extremists, opportunists, and sycophants—each handpicked not for their qualifications, but for their unwavering loyalty to his authoritarian agenda.
This isn’t a team assembled to serve the American people—it’s a coalition designed to consolidate power, dismantle civil rights, and prioritize corporate and ideological interests over the public good. From climate change deniers to anti-science conspiracy theorists, corporate puppets to far-right ideologues, this cabinet isn’t about governance—it’s about demolition. For a detailed account of these appointees and their dangerous track records, see the addendum at the end of this letter. But for now, let it suffice to say: this group makes his first-term cabinet look restrained by comparison—a terrifying escalation that demands your attention and action.
➡️ Explore my latest exposé dissecting Trump's cabinet and staff, revealing the alarming implications of their actions on our nation's future.
The Cabinet of Catastrophe: A Scathing Guide to Trump’s Leadership Picks
Authoritarian Alignment and Global Isolation
Trump’s alignment with authoritarian regimes and disdain for NATO allies signal a troubling, and now even more blatant, shift in U.S. global standing. Just last week, he hailed China’s violent crackdown on pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong as “strong and decisive,” a chilling endorsement of state-sponsored brutality. Earlier this month, he dismissed NATO partners as “freeloaders,” proposing a reduction in the U.S. military presence in Eastern Europe—a move that weakens global alliances and emboldens adversaries like Russia and China, who have already responded with increased aggression. Recent revelations of attempts to weaken sanctions on Russia further illuminate his administration's disturbing prioritization of authoritarian interests over democratic alliances.
Incredibly, he has gone further, using his post-election platform to float absurd ideas like reclaiming the Panama Canal and annexing Greenland. These proposals, as ludicrous as they sound, are presented as grand strategies rather than the diplomatic embarrassments they so clearly are—an unsettling reminder of how detached from reality his rhetoric has become. Just days ago, reports surfaced that Trump privately dismissed human rights abuses by allied nations as “internal matters,” signaling a retreat from moral leadership with all the subtlety of a sledgehammer against a window. This new posture isn’t merely embarrassing—it’s a gift to despots worldwide, undermining the fragile balance of global stability and diminishing America’s standing as a leader of free nations.
➡️ Read the proof: Trump voters cheer authoritarianism, enable cruelty, and push America to the brink.
Welcome to the Book Club of Complicity: How Trump Voters Became the Willing Executioners of American Democracy
➡️ Read this article to see how Trump’s rise mirrors history’s darkest tyrants—and why ignoring the signs could be fatal for democracy.
Would You Kill Baby Trump?
Conspiracy Theories and Public Trust Erosion
Trump’s penchant for conspiracy theories continues to erode public trust and endanger lives. Recently, he dismissed climate change as a “hoax,” undermining urgent scientific consensus and jeopardizing environmental policy efforts. Two weeks ago, he slashed disaster preparedness funding, dismissing climate disasters as “liberal fantasies,” leaving vulnerable communities at greater risk. His baseless claims of a “deep state” within the FDA have further sown distrust in critical health institutions, igniting fresh waves of vaccine hesitancy that have already disrupted public health initiatives across several states.
Adding fuel to this crisis, Trump’s nomination of vaccine denier Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services has alarmed experts, who warn it could bolster anti-vaccine sentiments and compromise life-saving vaccination efforts. Meanwhile, his assertion that the Department of Education is “infiltrated by Marxists” has fueled widespread disinformation campaigns about school curricula, further polarizing the public and undermining trust in educational institutions.
Each baseless assertion chips away at the foundation of institutional trust, leaving the public more divided and susceptible to fear-mongering. The ripple effects are already evident: increased polarization, reduced civic engagement, and a nation teetering on the edge of chaos.
➡️ Unmask the arsenal of disinformation Trump wielded to manipulate the 2024 election:
Take the MAGA L.I.E.S. Test: How Many Trump Lies Did You Swallow?
The Path Forward: Actions You Can Take
You’ve seen the consequences of your vote, and now you face a pivotal moment. This is your chance for “TrumPenitence.” This isn’t about switching parties or wallowing in past mistakes—it’s about reclaiming the values that truly define us: honesty, fairness, and democracy. The question now is: What will you do next?
Speak Out: Summon your courage. Speak with friends, family, and your community about what you’ve learned. These conversations don’t just exchange ideas—they change minds and shift perceptions.
Get Involved Locally: Join civic organizations, community groups, or town halls committed to pushing for change. Grassroots action at the local level creates ripples that grow into waves.
Vote in Every Election: Local and state elections often have as much, if not more, impact than national ones. Use your vote to block harmful policies and elevate leaders who uphold democratic values.
Support Advocacy Groups: Contribute your time, money, or resources to organizations fighting for civil rights, environmental protections, and voter access. Advocacy organizations amplify individual efforts into powerful movements.
Educate Yourself and Others: Stay informed and share reliable, fact-based information about the administration’s actions. Silence is the ally of misinformation; knowledge is its antidote.
History Shows That Collective Action Can Turn the Tide
Think of the Civil Rights Movement, which dismantled systemic oppression through grassroots persistence. Recall Watergate, where public demand for accountability forced even the highest levels of power to reckon with the rule of law. Remember the early labor movements that won workers’ rights, the women’s suffrage campaign that shattered barriers to equality, and the American Revolution itself, where ordinary people refused to bow to tyranny. In every instance, democracy’s survival depended not on passive hope, but on bold, collective action.
The Power to Reclaim Our Country Lies in Your Hands
This is not about redemption—it’s about responsibility. Apologies won’t rebuild what has been broken; only action can. Your TrumPenitence is not just about rejecting the past—it’s about choosing to build a future rooted in the principles that make democracy worth defending.
History is watching, and it will not be kind to those who stood by. The path forward begins with you. Rise to the occasion. Rise to defend democracy. Prove that taking responsibility is not only possible—it’s necessary. America’s future must be built on courage, not cowardice, and your actions will define it.
Read Parts 1 & 2 of "The Anatomy of American Betrayal"—A 3-Part Series Exposing the 7 Types of Trump Voters Who Unleashed Disaster and Doomed Themselves. Subscribe to receive Part 3 in your inbox!
An Open Letter to Trump’s True Believers: The Cult That Sold Out America—and Itself
An Open Letter to Trump’s Opportunists and Enablers: The Selfish, the Spineless, and the Screwed
If you enjoyed this article, please subscribe (a paid subscription would be incredible!), restack, and tap the Buy Me a Coffee button ☕. Your support keeps me fueled to call out the corrupt and complicit.
➡️ Explore my latest exposé dissecting Trump's cabinet and staff, revealing the alarming implications of their actions on our nation's future.
The Cabinet of Catastrophe: A Scathing Guide to Trump’s Leadership Picks
Addendum: Trump’s Cabinet of Cartoon Villains
Attorney General, Pam Bondi: A notorious opponent of LGBTQ+ rights with a history of shielding corruption and politicizing justice. She took a $25,000 bribe from Trump to avoid investigating his illegal Trump University, signaling a corrupt and lawless approach to the office. Her sycophantic loyalty to Trump undermines the integrity of the justice system, serving only the powerful.
💌 An Open Letter to Pam Bondi: Trump’s Nominee for Attorney GeneralDirector of the FBI, Kash Patel: A conspiracy theorist with deep ties to QAnon and other extremist groups, Patel’s dangerous conspiracies have severely undermined trust in government institutions. His partisan loyalty to Trump threatens to politicize law enforcement, eroding the FBI’s credibility and risking national security. His lack of experience makes him a serious liability for the role.
Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard: A dangerous apologist for authoritarian regimes, Gabbard represents Trump’s disregard for credible intelligence and democratic values. Known for her unauthorized meeting with Bashar al-Assad, a war criminal responsible for the mass murder of Syrian civilians, Gabbard legitimized a brutal dictator while parroting propaganda that undermined U.S. intelligence. Her embrace of conspiracy theories, including amplifying Russian disinformation about “biolabs” in Ukraine, raises serious concerns about her judgment. With a track record of sowing distrust in democratic institutions and aligning with authoritarian agendas, Gabbard’s appointment endangers national security and erodes the integrity of the intelligence community.
💌 An Open Letter to Tulsi Gabbard, Trump's Pick for National Intelligence
Secretary of State, Marco Rubio: A spineless opportunist whose hawkish rhetoric and authoritarian inclinations make him unfit for global diplomacy. Rubio’s extreme loyalty to Trump over national interest prioritizes reckless isolationism and weakens America’s standing on the world stage.
Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth: A media talkinghead with no military expertise, Hegseth’s sex crimes and lack of qualifications make his appointment a national security disaster. His fealty to Trump endangers U.S. troops and global stability.
💌 The Measure of a Man: An Open Letter to Pete Hegseth, Trump's Pick for Secretary of Defense
National Security Advisor, Michael Waltz: An extreme hawk with deep ties to the military-industrial complex and authoritarianism, Waltz’s loyalty to Trump over national interest threatens global peace and risks dragging the U.S. into unnecessary wars. His lack of diplomacy makes him a dangerous choice.
Secretary of the Treasury, Scott Bessent: A greedy Wall Street insider whose policies will worsen economic inequality and exploit the American public. His ties to Project 2025 signal a complete disregard for the people he’s meant to serve, favoring the wealthy elite.
EPA Administrator, Lee Zeldin: A catastrophic choice, given his abysmal 14% lifetime score from the League of Conservation Voters and a career marked by votes against environmental protections. His co-sponsorship of bills to repeal the Renewable Fuel Standard and prohibit E15 demonstrates a clear hostility toward cleaner energy solutions. With no meaningful experience in environmental policy, Zeldin is poised to dismantle critical regulations, prioritizing industrial profits over public health and ecological preservation. Entrusting the EPA to someone so openly opposed to its mission jeopardizes the future of our planet and the well-being of generations to come.
Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: A dangerous anti-vaccine conspiracy theorist, Kennedy’s lack of scientific credibility and anti-science views will endanger millions. His Christian nationalist connections signal an attempt to impose extremist views on public health.
💌 An Open Letter to Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Nominee for Secretary of Health and Human Services
Secretary of Energy, Chris Wright: A troubling choice for a role that demands leadership in innovation and environmental stewardship. As the CEO of Liberty Energy, Wright’s career revolves around hydraulic fracturing—a practice notorious for its environmental damage and reliance on fossil fuels. His open dismissal of climate change as "climate mania" and resistance to carbon reduction policies reveal a deep skepticism toward science and an unwillingness to embrace clean energy solutions.
Secretary of Commerce, Howard Lutnick: A billionaire with a history of financial malpractice, Lutnick’s policies will serve only the ultra-wealthy. His loyalty to Project 2025 guarantees that economic policies will worsen inequality, benefiting corporate elites at the expense of the public.
Secretary of Education, Linda McMahon: A cartoonishly unqualified pick, McMahon embodies Trump’s relentless assault on public education. Known for her tenure at WWE and performative leadership stints, she now aims to weaponize education policy to serve corporate profiteers and Christian nationalist agendas. As chair of the America First Policy Institute, McMahon has championed initiatives that promote "patriotic" education and inject religious ideology into public schools, all while diverting taxpayer dollars to unaccountable charters and for-profit entities. With ties to organizations blending religious revivalism and political propaganda, McMahon’s appointment is a death knell for equity, critical thinking, and the foundational principle of separating church and state.
💌 An Open Letter to Linda McMahon, Trump's Pick for Education Secretary
Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke Rollins: Incompetent and unqualified, Rollins’ appointment prioritizes loyalty over competence, threatening food security and ruining rural economies. Her corporate-driven policies will harm American farmers and the public.
Secretary of the Interior, Ryan Zinke: A corrupt mining lobbyist whose loyalty to energy industries will open protected lands to corporate exploitation. Zinke’s history of corruption and undermining land protections betrays the American people and the environment.
Administrator of the Small Business Administration, Kelly Loeffler: A wealthy corporate insider, Loeffler’s focus on large enterprises over small businesses will destroy America’s entrepreneurial backbone. Her loyalty to Trump’s corrupt agenda and ignorance of small business challenges make her unqualified for the role.
Labor Secretary, Eugene Scalia: A corporate attorney whose policies will exploit workers, dismantling labor protections and eroding unions. Scalia’s loyalty to corporate interests ensures further wage inequality and the disempowerment of workers.
Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem: She has no national security experience, politicized the National Guard by using private donor funding for deployment, and rejected federal climate funds despite worsening natural disasters. Her strained relations with Native American tribes and prioritization of political loyalty over effective governance make her ill-suited to lead an agency tasked with safeguarding the nation. She also shot her dog.
OMB Director, Russell Vought: The architect of catastrophic budget cuts, Vought’s policies will cripple healthcare, education, and public welfare, deepening inequality and harming the most vulnerable. His extreme loyalty to Trump’s fiscal agenda makes him unfit for this role.
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Dr. Mehmet Oz: A celebrity doctor with no administrative experience, Oz’s promotion of unproven treatments puts millions at risk. His dangerous anti-science views and loyalty to Trump’s populist rhetoric make him unqualified to oversee critical public health programs.
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Scott Turner: A slap in the face to Americans relying on affordable housing and tenant protections. As a Texas state legislator, Turner consistently voted against measures to expand affordable housing and labeled vital government assistance programs as "dangerous" and "harmful." His ideological disdain for the very programs HUD is designed to administer underscores his unfitness for the role. Entrusting him with this critical agency jeopardizes the housing security of millions and signals the GOP's continued prioritization of ideology over the needs of vulnerable Americans.
Senior Advisor, Stephen Miller: Known for his extreme anti-immigration rhetoric, Miller’s influence has exacerbated division and global instability. His sycophantic loyalty to Trump’s bigoted agenda and lack of diplomatic experience make him a toxic presence shaping U.S. policy.
These appointments and actions are more than mistakes—they’re a deliberate effort to consolidate power, dismantle civil rights, and prioritize corporate and ideological interests over the well-being of the American people. Trump's vision for the nation is no longer about governance—it’s about using the machinery of government to promote division, corruption, and corporate exploitation.
Thanks for another great piece! A very thorough - and terrifying - summary of what lays ahead. Trump is old, and his declining mental capacity and demented ravings are on full display. There's really only so much Adderall and orange make up you can use to keep this slob going, but, unfortunately, he is just the mouthpiece for the larger cancer that is growing rapidly - the Musks, the Bannons, the Millers and Project 2025 creators, etc. He has opened the door for them and is handing over all power, so long as he gets to prance around and feel like "the Man" and gets paid. His own wife can't hide her contempt for him, so I guess this is how he gets to feel "adored"?
And this "inauguration fund" is a joke - my understanding was that it as to be used for a nice party - but no self-respecting artist would perform at this "funeral" no matter how much money you threw at them, so, I get it, just another grift.
My fear is that once these people get a hold of power, they won't let go. They will dismantle the democratic system as quickly as possible, and people may not have the ability to go and vote to get rid of this vermin down the road. The good Christian White Supremacists have been waiting in the wings with their seething hatred for their fellow man for a long time, and, for whatever reason, the idea of equality and allowing people to live their lives in peace is completely intolerable to them. They MUST impose their will.
It's clear that Trump and Musk are acting out against humanity because they want their revenge and were either born without a soul or got bullied a lot and didn't get enough affection from mom & dad. Either way, they ooze disdain. And when Epstein says of you that you have no "moral compass", there's really only so much further down you can go.
My only hope is that people rise up quickly, before the cancer grows too large.
What a summary of the swamp that’s the incoming cabinet! This should be required reading for all but I highly doubt that the voters who “voted their wallets” care much to read about these things. They are already too busy earning enough to put food on the table and pay the rent…I fear they still are in the dark about what is coming and won’t react till it hits them in the wallet that the savior they thought they voted for doesn’t give a hoot in hell about their lives or their well being. And by the time they realize they made a big mistake it will be much too late.
I fear moreover that the more educated Republican voter still hopes that a strong man will somehow lead us out of disaster and into the dream of a prosperous peaceful future. I doubt these people will ever admit to having made a mistake but will continue to justify and soothe any cognitive dissonance with placating platitudes .