Why My Opinion of Donald Trump Changed Following His Inauguration

As someone who identified as a Republican until 2019, and supported Donald Trump in the 2016 election, my opinion of him has evolved significantly over the years. This transformation was largely due to a series of events and realizations that shed light on his true character and actions.

Initial Support and Misconceptions

When I initially supported Trump in 2016, I believed he was a successful businessman who could 'get things done' in Washington. While I often excused his egregious comments like 'grab um by the P55y' as mere campaign rhetoric, I eventually realized that these issues did not simply fade away. His post-election behavior, such as boasting and bragging, became increasingly tiresome, leading me to reevaluate my stance.

The Call to Ukraine and Aftermath

Perhaps the most significant turning point came with the Ukrainian phone call. I was deeply shocked and appalled by the overreach and the violation of norms. Despite my doubts, I was initially taken aback when people continued to support him, even members of the Republican Congress. The opulent fawning and justifications from his supporters were too much to bear. This led to my departure from the Republican Party in 2020 and a switch to voting for Joe Biden.

lo?t Tr'experiences with Trump

Looking back, there were several instances that highlighted Trump's true personality, contrary to the persona he portrayed on ldquo;The Apprentice.rdquo; Here are a few key findings:

The Apprentice: A Fake Act - Upon watching a couple of seasons of The Apprentice, I realized that Trump's aggressive and boastful personality was not just a TV character; it was a genuine reflection of his behavior in real life. Brand Abuse - Trump's mantra was that his name could drive sales, no matter the product's quality. This showed a clear disregard for truth and facts. Echo Chambers - He frequently relied on the opinions of friends and family over expert advice, indicating a lack of openness to differing viewpoints. Rating Mantra - Trump incessantly claimed his show's ratings were record-breaking, even when it was clear that was not always true. Boardroom Mayhem - The boardroom fights on his show, full of name-calling and hostility, not only did poorly for the actors but also mirrored the kind of behavior he promoted.

The Inauguration and Beyond

By the time Trump took the oath of office, the nagging feeling in my gut was strong. The realization that Trump was not just performing for the cameras hit me hard. His actions demonstrated that he had no respect for democratic norms, evidenced by the call to Ukraine. This was not just a performance; he was genuinely undermining the democratic process.

Political Realignment

The realignment towards supporting Democratic candidates is a critical step for me to maintain the values of civility and respect that I believe are essential in politics. The actions of the Republican Party, and particularly the lack of retribution following the accusations against Trump, have led to my change of allegiance. While policy differences do play a role, the restoration of civil political discourse is the primary motivation.

It's a long road back to trust, especially after witnessing such profound betrayal of democratic principles. However, my decision to vote Democrat is not based solely on policy but a broader commitment to restoring the fabric of our democracy.