I think we 'defend' Trump too soon. We should 'set the hook' first.

Let them convince themselves that going to the island was evil.

Them: "Trump was also on Epstein's plane!"

You: "So, going down to that island was a BAD thing?"

Them: "Of course! They did really evil things down there!"

You: "Actually, that only applies to YOUR heroes, not Trump. He hitched a ride on the plane one time (from FL to NY), but never went to the island. Would you like to talk about those who DID go down there? You know, the people that YOU just said were doing 'really evil things'?"

If all we ever do is explain that he 'once hitched a ride', we never lead them down the path to realize that the other names did something truly evil.

If you have any other ideas/refinements, please add them...

I think we 'defend' Trump too soon. We should 'set the hook' first.

Let them convince themselves that going to the island was evil.

Them: "Trump was also on Epstein's plane!"

You: "So, going down to that island was a BAD thing?"

Them: "Of course! They did really evil things down there!"

You: "Actually, that only applies to YOUR heroes, not Trump. He hitched a ride on the plane one time (from FL to NY), but never went to the island. Would you like to talk about those who DID go down there? You know, the people that YOU just said were doing 'really evil things'?"

If all we ever do is explain that he 'once hitched a ride', we never lead them down the path to realize that the other names did something truly evil.

If you have any other ideas/refinements, add them...

I think we 'defend' Trump too soon. We should 'set the hook' first.

Let them convince themselves that going to the island was evil.

Them: "Trump was also on Epstein's plane!"

You: "So, going down to that island was a BAD thing?"

Them: "Of course! They did really evil things down there!"

You: "Actually, that only applies to YOUR heroes, not Trump. He hitched a ride on the plane one time (from FL to NY), but never went to the island. Would you like to talk about those who DID go down there? You know, the people that YOU just said were doing 'really evil things'?"

If all we ever do is explain that he 'once hitched a ride', we never lead them down the path to realize that the other names did something truly evil.