FAFO: Trump Voters Are in the "Finding Out" Stage

We Warned Them. They Ignored Us. Now, the Consequences Are All of Ours to Bear

There’s a bitter, disappointing kind of vindication in watching Trump voters realize, albeit too late, what Democrats, Moderates, and sensible Republicans (Liz Cheney, Adam Kinzinger, Anthony Scaramucci, George Conway, Geoff Duncan, Jeff Flake, Arnold Schwarzenegger) have been screaming from the top of our lungs. As Peter Thiel noted, “I think one thing that should be distinguished here is that the media is always taking Trump literally. It never takes him seriously, but it always takes him literally…I think a lot of voters who vote for Trump take Trump seriously but not literally.” Democrats knew to take him literally. Honestly, I so badly wanted to be wrong on this. And I hate to say, ‘told them so,’ especially because the consequences impact all of us, but we definitely tried to warn them.

We knew he meant every word. Cruelty isn’t just the goal—it is the driving force, lifeblood, and foundation upon which he and the architects of Project 2025 built their vision. Every cruel and unhinged thing Trump campaigned on, his regime intends to carry out. Remember when Trump tried to distance himself from Project 2025 because it was deeply unpopular? Well, in his second term, using Project 2025 as his policy blueprint (as we tried to warn would happen), Trump is more organized and more ruthless than ever before. The adults that were in the room during his first term are gone. I knew it would be bad, but even I wasn’t expecting it to be this bad this quickly. We’re not even a month in, so buckle up.

But for those of us who have been taking Trump literally since his first term (this is likely you if you’re reading this), his goal to inflict pain doesn’t come as much of a surprise. Again. We tried to warn them. We warned them when he praised dictators, when he attempted a coup to overturn a free and fair election, and when he vowed to seek retribution against his perceived political enemies. And yet, people voted for him anyway. Because they didn’t take him literally.

Hell, even staunch Trump-ally, Katie Britt, is working to make sure the Trump/Musk DOGE doesn’t impact her state so her constituents don't have to "find out." And Susan Collins? Well, she’s also “concerned” about Trump’s cuts.

But it’s a little too late, because now people who voted for him are learning a difficult lesson—that when you vote for a madman who promises to wield power with cruelty, that power isn’t going to stop at the people he dislikes. It expands. It reaches into your life, into the lives of people you care about, your freedoms, the freedoms of friends, your safety, and the safety of loved ones. Why in God’s name anyone thought they were immune from his wrath is beyond me, especially those who stand to lose the most from his cruelty. Denial is a powerful thing.

Trump voters didn’t just support him despite the evil things he said, but because of the evil things he said. They liked when he demonized immigrants, when he mocked disabled people, when he attacked LGBTQ+ Americans, when he promised to punish women for seeking reproductive healthcare, when he promised to get revenge on his enemies, and when he promised to cut government “waste.” They convinced themselves that they were safe from his wrath.

But now with Project 2025, which laid the groundwork for his cruel plans in full swing, the reality is sinking in. Trump isn’t just out to get “the others.” He’s coming for you, your federal government or public servant job, your rights, and your family’s future. And honestly, watching all these folks who have “buyer’s remorse,” it’s very difficult to muster much sympathy for anyone who eagerly and gleefully helped build the machine that is now crushing them. And this is coming from me, an empath. I hate feeling this way. But hey, you reap what you sow.

Democrats, Moderates, and sensible Republicans knew better. We took him literally when he told us who he was and what he’d do. We did everything to make sure voters knew, and we fought like hell to stop him. His second-term is taking shape at a neck-breaking pace, and it’s impossible not to feel a grim sense of vindication. We knew. We warned people. They just refused to listen.

So no, I don’t have much sympathy for the people who are only now realizing they made a deal with the devil. Because when you vote for someone who openly promises to harm others, you don’t get to be shocked when that harm eventually reaches you too.

And now, as he moves with even more coordination, more revenge, fewer (if any) safeguards, and a much clearer plan to dismantle democracy, the only question left is: Will the people who are already “finding out” do anything about it? Or will they, once again, stand by as the fire they helped ignite consumes everything—including themselves? If they don’t like what’s happening to them, they should have thought about that before they f****d around.

Here’s what some Trump voters who have buyer's remorse had to say when asked what Donald Trump could do to lose their support:

• "Continue disregarding the laws of this country. We elected a president, not a king."

• "Trump lost my support on Inauguration Day when he could not move the country forward by providing optimism, positivity, and hopefulness to the United States. Trump presented as a threat right away, and I know voting for him was a big, big mistake."

• "I am from West Virginia, and his recent freeze of federal programs hurt my family and many friends. He has lost my support already."

• "We voted for border security. We didn't vote for my husband to lose his government career and benefits for which he has worked so hard. This possibility is looming over countless families right now. We don't know what our financial future holds. My husband dedicated the better part of his life to this country, first in the military and now working for the government. I have watched as he busted his a*s every single day for this job. Our story is like many others, yet they [the Trump Administration] see them as budget line items. We are not a f*****g line item. We are real people with families who need to put food on the table just like everyone else. We have done nothing but support this country. To be disregarded and tossed out to save a buck is sickening. I support Trump on many things, but I won't support him on this. He has already lost my support."

• "He has already lost my support for attacking federal workers who are veterans."

• “He would lose my support if he tried to get a third term.”

• "If he takes away grants that assist underprivileged people, such as SNAP, Meals On Wheels, Head Start, and veteran services. My heart breaks just thinking my vote may have contributed to this."