He’s a father of a 28-year-old son and he’s hurting. A retired police officer, he proudly voted for Donald Trump every time he ran and never hid his political beliefs from his family. “My son and his wife say that since I’m a fan of Trump they’re no fan of mine and cut me off,” he said. “Now I can’t see my only grandchild who I was so close to. It’s crazy and it’s tragic.”

It’s also increasingly common. The 2024 election spatchcocked the nation, widening a rift that was exposed in 2016 and put in an even sharper gulf four years later. Now, the hyper-partisan politics in the shadow of the 2024 election is breaking the bonds of families to a greater extent than ever before.

  • SacralPlexus@lemmy.world
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    23 hours ago

    Two-thirds of survey respondents agree that ending contact with a family member because of political beliefs is not justified and that most family fights over politics could be easily resolved.

    Ah yes those pesky, abstract “political” beliefs shouldn’t get in the way of family. Such esoteric ideals like

    • I believe in human rights.
    • Rapists should not be in power.
    • Nazis are evil.

    Who could ever let a silly disagreement over politics spoil a relationship? /s

    • surph_ninja@lemmy.world
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      47 minutes ago

      I don’t understand Dem supporters cutting off family that are GOP supporters. Both parties oppose human rights, enable rapists in power, and support currently arming Nazis (Congress had to withdraw a ban on arming Nazis in order to send arms to far-right groups in Ukraine).

      If you’re a leftist opposing both fascist rightwing parties, you’d have a leg to stand on. But Dem supporters cutting off GOP supporting family just feels like that meme of spiderman pointing at himself. Anyone supporting either pro-genocide party is in no position to be criticizing the political beliefs of others.

      • Notyou@sopuli.xyz
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        28 minutes ago

        Unfortunately it’s a side effect of the team sports of politics. I vote Dem but they obviously have problems to fix. My family mainly votes RNC. I can talk to some on an individual level and get to agreements about political topics. Usually after agreeing on something they will reset back to talking points.

        I understand why some people will cut off toxic families, but it doesn’t help change the situation. I feel obligated to try to talk sense into people while I still have some patience. Pushing each group further into their echo chamber just helps our oppressors.

        • surph_ninja@lemmy.world
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          19 minutes ago

          Arming Nazis, supporting genocide, escalating to hot wars with nuclear superpowers, breaking records on oil extractions, breaking records on deportations, working to privatize Medicare, etc. Saying the Dems have “some problems to fix” is putting it mildly. If you judge their actions, instead of their words, there’s no difference between the two.

          You’re in no position to be giving your family any grief while you’re still voting for Dems. Pot calling the kettle black.

    • yuri@pawb.social
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      17 hours ago

      It’s hard to be told “everything will be fine” when much of the incoming administration believes trans people aren’t real/shouldn’t exist/are all groomers. And it’s really difficult to even associate with folks who voted for this and refuse to see the coming storm.

      Fucken, not to compare everything to nazis but it is LITERALLY the “first they came for x, but i am not x so i said nothing”, only it’s the fucking PARENTS hearing THEIR KIDS say “I don’t feel safe” and saying nothing except “can you believe my crazy children?”