A tweet from Mary Trump, the niece of former President Donald Trump, has gone viral. In it, the best-selling writer and psychologist offers timely advice on how to survive Thanksgiving if you’re planning to spend it with family or other people who hold different political views to you.
“I’m seeing a lot of pieces about getting through the holidays with people who hold different political views from yours,” she said. “Here’s mine: ‘How to Spend the Holidays with Fascists Who Disagree with You: Don’t’
I’m seeing a lot of pieces about getting through the holidays with people who hold different political views from yours. Here’s mine: “How to Spend the Holidays with Fascists Who Disagree with You: Don’t”
— Mary L Trump (@MaryLTrump) November 24, 2021
Mary, the gay daughter of Donald Trump’s late, older brother Fred Trump Jr., made headlines last year with her memoir about President Trump, Too Much and Never Enough: How My Family Created the World’s Most Dangerous Man.
Related: Mary Trump identifies the stupidest member of her family
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She is a vocal critic of her uncle and not shy of calling out her cousins, also. Earlier this year she said that none of Donald Trump’s older siblings had the charisma to follow their father into politics or hope to become President. She singled out Eric Trump as a “moron.”
In September, it was revealed Donald Trump had launched legal action against Mary and the New York Times, after a 2018 article that was put together with Mary’s help and which used some of his private records to investigate his tax history. He’s suing for $100million.
In response, Mary Trump told the Daily Beast her uncle was a “fucking loser”.
“He is going to throw anything against the wall he can. It’s desperation. The walls are closing in and he is throwing anything against the wall that will stick. As is always the case with Donald, he’ll try and change the subject.”
Clearly, there’s no chance of Mary sitting down for a Thanksgiving meal with Donald or his kids any time soon.
Related: Mary Trump has another dire prediction about her cousins and it already seems to be coming true
In response to her viral tweet, others agreed with her advice.
If there is someone in your family who dsnt believe others are entitled to human dignity, civil rights, &/or safety on the basis of some aspect of their identity, then you don’t have to spend Thanksgiving w/ them
You don’t actually have to spend one moment of your life with them
— NotATweeter16 (@NotATweeter16) November 24, 2021
My entire family of inlaws are non vaccinated and have gone completely insane. We’ve made it clear we will not be seeing them again until they are vaccinated. Two of them have Covid for the 2nd time at this moment, but are using Ivermectin. Smh. Happy Thanksgiving Mary! 💙
— Sheri Locascio 🐾🌺💉💉💉 (@SheriLoCascio) November 24, 2021
A professional advised me a long time ago to decide whether being around toxic family made my life better or worse, and if worse, to limit contact. Today, I only wish I learned that much earlier in life.
— Pam Martella Shaouy (@PamMartella) November 24, 2021
Others said Trump had deepened divisions within the country, making family gatherings difficult.
Since Trump, I’m not sure we can ever have a real family gathering again. Pandemic aside.
— SayWha? (@Winchestermom) November 24, 2021
And others chipped in with suggestions of their own.
I have a friend who, since 2016, has had family gatherings with everybody bringing 3 x 5 cards with a subject for conversation that is not political. They shuffle the cards and put them on the table.
If a subject becomes difficult, somebody can grab a new card and a new topic.— B. Maggie Sherrill (@Chateausherrill) November 24, 2021
Happy Thanksgiving!
MISTERJETT
it’s good that she stays completely away from her horrible family.
AxelDC
Avoid politics and religion. If someone brings them up, try to change the subject. If the person insists on being a jerk, just walk out of the room or go home.
You have an obligation to be civil, but you don’t have an obligation to be there.
jcool
there’s a reason Friendsgiving became a real thing.
Heywood Jablowme
I hear Ivermectin is properly served at Thanksgiving in its own chilled serving dish (like cranberry sauce) and I’m guessing it looks a lot like the fig filling from Fig Newtons?
Mary Trump’s book “Too Much and Never Enough” is well worth reading! It might give you nightmares though. But Mary believes Donald will NOT run for president again – so does Michael Cohen – and I hope they’re right.
maddog
Why does he have to run for president? Everyone comes to see him and kiss his ring. He takes in lots of money and does not have to do anything. Trump only needs to get some other grifter nominated and win the presidency, then pardon Trump for everything.
Mack
I think he can make more pocket money by pretending to run. The fools out there will gladly give him money to line his pockets while complaining about the turkey prices going up 10 cents a pound or the cost of gas.
Wheelerman
In 1966, a wise child named Linus Van Pelt said there are three things you never talk about : Politics, Religion, and The Great Pumpkin.
I tend to follow his advice. Happy Thanksgiving!
Seth
I love Linus but the cowardice of avoiding difficult topics of discussion is how we got into this mess, it certainly won’t be how we get out of it.
jayceecook
@Seth Those are some very, very broad strokes you’re making to look at the situation. Life is way more nuanced than that. Avoidance isn’t cowardice. There are moments where maybe it can be for sure however, there are also loads of times where it is extremely beneficial.
Society didn’t “get into this mess” by avoiding having difficult discussions. Twitter’s existence (an some other social media sites) is dependent on that very thing. Where a lot of the problem lies is in the lack of empathy for people and the world itself that so many folks have. When you (the universal you that is) see those that are not at least 99.999% in agreement with your worldview as “the other” no amount of engaging in difficult discussions is going to change that.
Fahd
After a few tries, it is usually clear that family dysfunction cannot be fixed by one person or “one side”. It’s regrettable, but I too believe geographical separation is the most pragmatic way to deal with it.
GayEGO
Absolutely! I am gay and that is also what I do to avoid conflicts!