Let’s be real for a second: the best thing anyone opposed to Donald Trump and the MAGA brigade can do is to remember a simple truth—stupidity should be embarrassing.
The rise of Trump and his merry band of nonsense-peddlers has turned this basic idea on its head. Somehow, figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, and Trump himself—people who routinely spew mind-boggling nonsense—have been taken seriously.
The Problem: Normalizing the Absurd
Take Trump’s rant after the New Orleans attack on New Year’s Day. The suspect was a U.S. citizen, yet Trump blamed immigration. Instead of addressing the tragedy thoughtfully, he chose to stir up baseless rhetoric. It wasn’t just wrong—it was dumb.
And remember Greene’s infamous claim about Jewish space lasers causing wildfires in California? That wasn’t a slip of the tongue—it was pure nonsense. Instead of being laughed out of politics, she’s still in office.
Or how about Kennedy’s promotion of bacteria-laden raw milk? Instead of being called out, he’s been handed a leadership role in public health. You can’t make this stuff up.
Where Did Shame Go?
Here’s the crux of the issue: shame—a basic societal check—has all but disappeared.
We all make mistakes; it’s part of being human. I’ve said dumb things and felt the sting of embarrassment. But here’s the thing: feeling embarrassed pushes us to do better. It keeps us grounded and accountable.
Trump, however, operates without shame. He’s bulldozed this critical boundary, creating a culture where ignorance thrives unchecked.
Why Tolerating Stupidity Hurts Us All
When we give ignorance a free pass, it spreads like wildfire. Proud ignorance has flourished because we’ve hesitated to call it out. The fear of offending Trump’s supporters has muted voices that should’ve stood up for truth.
Let’s be clear—stupidity isn’t about lacking education. Many of Trump’s allies are educated but make willfully ignorant choices. It’s about spouting falsehoods, doubling down on them, and rejecting curiosity or facts.
The Solution: Call Out the Nonsense
We correct kids when they say something outrageous because we want them to grow into thoughtful adults. Why should we treat politicians any differently?
If a leader blames a U.S. Army veteran’s actions on immigration, we should call it what it is: stupid. Not “misguided,” not “a difference of opinion”—stupid.
Calling out nonsense isn’t mean—it’s necessary. When we don’t, we pave the way for more chaos.
Do Your Part: Mock Stupidity at Every Turn
We’ve tried tiptoeing around the issue, and it hasn’t worked. It’s time to use our voices and remind people that willful ignorance isn’t just unacceptable—it’s embarrassing.
Let’s reclaim the power of shame and demand better from those in power. Mock the nonsense. Call out the lies. And maybe, just maybe, we can start making America smarter again.
Because honestly, we’ve had enough of the other way.