Trumpers Are Not Entitled to Respect

Respect must be earned—and they haven’t earned it.

One of the more baffling phenomena of our time is the MAGA supporter’s indignation when confronted with disparaging characterizations of themselves. It’s akin to someone throwing a punch and then recoiling in shock when they’re hit back. The audacity is staggering.

Here’s the crux of it: MAGA supporters are fine with degradation—as long as it’s not their own. They cheer when Donald Trump mocks a disabled reporter, when Elon Musk shares antisemitic conspiracy theories, or when their ilk dehumanizes immigrants as “animals.” But the moment the spotlight turns on them, they clutch their pearls and demand civility. It’s a masterclass in selective empathy.

Take, for instance, the gleeful nationalism of some Trumpers I encountered in a debate. They joked about annexing Greenland, insisting its people would love to join the “freest country on Earth.” When I called them out—using language as unvarnished as their own—they were aghast. “How dare you?” they cried, as if their casual imperialism hadn’t just reduced an entire nation to a punchline.

This is the MAGA paradox: They are blind to their own vileness. They see no irony in demanding respect while supporting a movement built on disrespect. They cannot fathom why their dehumanization of others might provoke a backlash.

Imagine, for a moment, if the tables were turned. What if a foreign power publicly mused about buying California, dismissing the wishes of its residents? Or if a foreign leader threatened to “liberate” Americans from their government? The outrage would be deafening. Yet, when Trump suggests Canada should become the “51st state” or Musk jokes about overthrowing the UK government, his supporters laugh it off.

This isn’t just hypocrisy—it’s a profound lack of empathy. MAGA supporters treat entire nations as props in their nationalist fantasies, oblivious to the insult. They see no contradiction in championing “freedom” while endorsing policies that strip it from others.

And let’s not forget the historical context. The United States, for all its rhetoric about liberty, has a long and bloody history of imperialism and oppression. From the Trail of Tears to the annexation of Hawaii, from the Sand Creek Massacre to the Indian boarding schools, the U.S. has repeatedly trampled on the rights of indigenous peoples and minorities. Yet, MAGA supporters wave the flag as if it’s a symbol of unblemished virtue.

When confronted with this history, they deflect. “Europe invented fascism!” they cry, as if that absolves them of responsibility. But this, too, is a dodge. It’s an attempt to erase the distinct identities of European nations, lumping them together to avoid accountability. Denmark didn’t invent fascism. It didn’t invade dozens of countries in the last century. It didn’t build its wealth on the backs of enslaved people.

The MAGA worldview is built on a perversion of language. “Freedom” doesn’t mean liberty for all—it means the freedom to dominate. This isn’t new. Before the Civil War, Southern slaveholders argued that abolishing slavery would infringe on their “freedom.” Today, MAGA supporters use the same twisted logic to justify their actions.

And then there’s the free speech fallacy. They claim their right to free speech is under attack when they face criticism. But free speech isn’t a shield from consequences. If you spew hate, don’t be surprised when people hate you back.

At its core, Trumpism isn’t about democracy or freedom. It’s about power—the power to oppress, to demean, to dominate. And if you support that, don’t expect respect in return. Respect isn’t a given; it’s earned. And MAGA supporters haven’t earned it.

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Epilogue: A Few Choice Words from Trump and Musk

For those who demand “evidence” of Trump’s vileness, here’s a sampler:

• “Shithole countries” (2018): Trump dismissed African nations, Haiti, and El Salvador with this racist slur.

• Dehumanizing immigrants (2024): He called undocumented immigrants “animals” and compared them to “deadly snakes.”

• Greenland obsession (2019, 2024): He repeatedly proposed buying Greenland, calling it a “real estate deal.”

• Panama Canal demands (2024): He insisted Panama return control of the canal to the U.S., ignoring Panama’s sovereignty.

And let’s not forget Elon Musk, Trump’s billionaire enabler:

• Antisemitic conspiracy endorsement (2023): Musk amplified an antisemitic theory, later calling it his “dumbest post.”

• Holocaust jokes (2025): He made light of one of history’s darkest chapters.

• Support for Germany’s far-right AfD (2025): He appeared at an AfD rally, urging Germans to be “proud of their culture.”

If you support this—if you remain silent in the face of such rhetoric—you forfeit any claim to respect. Politeness isn’t a virtue when it’s wielded as a shield for cruelty.

Respect isn’t owed. It’s earned. And MAGA supporters? They’ve done nothing to earn it.