My daughter and son in law (sil) are middle of the road, maybe even conservative leaning. But they hate Trump, especially my aeronautical engineer sil, hate hate HATES him with a passion. We had such a big fight about it once (he'd been drinking and wouldn't drop it) that I have to refuse to even discuss politics with him at all.
They're staying with me right now while they look for a house. Tonight we all took our dogs outside before bed and he walked over and stood beside me. Looking around the yard, he quietly (sadly?) said "I find myself missing Trump". I was stunned and said nothing. He turned and walked slowly into the house.
I.......I can't EVEN.
I work with other engineers and it's pretty much a liberal echo-chamber. Anyone who votes or supports trump is seen as a racist asshole. I hear anti-trump jokes everyday at work, and my friends like to share their hate for trump. I have to bite my tongue and say nothing. I recently couldn't stand it and defended my viewpoint about how I thought the country was going down under biden. Both friends have stopped talking to me. They see me as a racist asshole or a crazy person.
It's really sad that trump is seen as a symbol of hate and the majority of the people here blame him for all the bad things. I see too many people get brainwashed by one media narrative and then the next. I don't know why they can't think for themselves.
And thinking for themselves is the primary trait of an engineer
They are still human beings first. But I know what you mean.
To the OP's predicament though, maybe the redpills for his colleagues need to be of a slightly different flavor. I always found the information on the Butterfly War to be fascinating - and it basically in language they can relate to easily. Keep it away from the emotional association if Trump. It is like selling - you have to know your audience.
Agree. He needs to come up with problems for them to solve whereby they discover the truths on their own