About 23% of Americans and 33% of Republicans believe that “true American patriots may have to resort to violence in order to save our country” – a 5% increase among Republicans and 8% among the general public since 2021.

Meanwhile, 75% of Americans believe that American democracy is at risk in the 2024 election. That, too, may be something worth fighting for – especially when 39% of Trump supporters and 42% of Biden supporters report having no friends who support the opposing candidate. When people do not trust or socialize with people unlike them, violence between groups is more likely.

I fear little can be done to prevent such violence.

It is really hard not to look at Trump as a cynical, malignant narcissist. Like how do you stop the unstoppable will to power at any cost? The real truth is there is very little anyone can do to avoid Mr. Dictator-On-Day-One. Why are such awful people drawn to power?

I don't get it. How can anyone listen to what Trump's fans say about him and want that? It's like some kind of lazy, selfish, sadism. The way the people that love him talk about him and their beliefs makes it seem like they would rather see their enemies suffer than their loved ones thrive. But it's not just Trump Cultists and Americana Fetishists. It's not just the American Oligarchs or the ghouls in suits that work for them. Like a lot of the chronically online leftists are seeming kinda Wrath of Khan-y lately.

There are only so many fucks to give, why waste them on violent ends? Like you can have either revenge on the people who you believe are hurting you or you can try to stop hurting and live your life in spite of the malignant assholes of the world. You can't have both.