Beautifully written and spoken from the heart. I completely agree with your entire essay. This took courage and the least I can do is try to match your courage as a fellow veteran.
I have spoken out to my elected representatives and this encourages me to continue to speak out.
Thank you for speaking up. I have always been horrified by Trump, but I have a lot of family & acquaintances who have found ways to rationalize supporting him. I hope they all have similar moments of reckoning with their consciences. I miss the days when conservatives had leadership worth a vote. I’m a liberal, but there are points of view to the right of me that deserve serious champions, not the current circus. It’s a damaging time for the whole country & a huge waste of time for the Republican cause.
Thank you for your courageous and thoughtful essay. I hope that your example will allow others to move forward and for all of us to take necessary risks in this critical moment.
Matthew, I can't imagine how difficult this must have been to write and post publicly. It takes great courage. Once again, I'm proud to call you my friend.
I'm glad you wrote this and glad you decided that you could no longer tolerate Trump.
That said, it is worrisome to me that someone as thoughtful as you could have persisted in your support for as long as you did and that someone as thoughtful as you disaggregated morality from leadership for so long.
I know it would be more gentlemanly to simply say thank you for a brave email. Please take my worry as a mark of deep and continued respect.
What you said very much needs saying, David. The combat veterans I've had the honor of sharing a classroom with saw Trump for what he was in 2016, and none of them would have sent their soldiers into battle with this self-aggrandizing, draft-dodging, pussy-grabbing narcissist at the lead.
Matthew, I won't "cancel" you, and I can appreciate and also deeply respect your willingness to write here that you voted for What's-His-Name (I refuse to acknowledge him by name, which would give him a dignity he is not owed) and that you bear what I imagine is a great burden on your heart and mind. But, forgive me: I still cannot understand how anyone could vote for him the first time, nor especially the second. He had no qualifications whatsoever for the presidency, had declared bankruptcy at least seven times, was unarguably a racist (recall his statement about the "Central Park 5"), as was his father; was clearly a misogynist, was embroiled in lawsuit after lawsuit, and had as his mentor Roy Cohn(!), who gave counsel to Joseph McCarthy who ruined many men's and women's lives. It was well-known he figured out ways to deprive his contractors and subcontractors of what he owed them. And even when it appeared - an important word - as if he was contributing to the welfare of society, he subsequently was found to be taking advantage as the grifter he's always been and lined his own pockets, as do his children as well.
How can all that be known and yet be set aside when one steps into an Election Day booth?
I've never understood, or perhaps I should say I have never received adequate explanation of why a person votes Republican or Democrat strictly because that person has declared him- or herself to be a Republican or a Democrat. I consider myself independent of either party and have never given a dime of my own to either. Were we allowed a vote on having or not having a two-party system, I'd argue for none, that we consider nominees on established qualifications for the presidency and elect based on merit (the only current requirement is being age 35). (I've a raft of other changes in our election system that I'd like to see this country commit to as well.)
Forgive me: I can't say I can grasp intellectually what allowed you to make the decision you did and withhold your vote for the other candidate.
What has happened to the concept of "an informed electorate"? What has happened to holding our representatives to accountability to us when we can see they are only accountable to themselves, making the system work for them at every turn? How many more examples can we find of that? Why have we allowed wealth to buy influence? Why do we not insist as citizens, as is our right, that no person is above another?
We all have a responsibility as voters to weigh the pros and cons of every candidate before we take the time to vote. If understanding the issues and the candidates' positions or statements only occurs outside the voting site where people hand out their party's literature, it's too late.
How do we turn all this around?
Would that every person who voted for What's-His-Name do as you have done, take responsibility, and then also advocate mightily and continuously for correction and vote everyone out in the mid-terms.
I'm a child of the 1960s. For all the tumultuousness of those years and into the early 1970s of its continuance, I saw how advocacy and persistence, and courage to speak out, peaceably, could bring about change. That's how treatment for AIDS in the 1980s happened. People took it on themselves to work together to make change. Now in 2026, I see how there are no safeguards in place; advances in science and medicine that benefit the world are dispatched with the wave of a hand; peaceful protest is met with armed resistance, even killings; discrimination is acceptable, whether on the basis of gender, sex, race, or other categories once protected; what belongs to the nation (our parks and historic areas, the White House itself, the Kennedy Center) is destroyed by a name signed in ink; unelected aides make policy (Stephen Smith anyone?); our long-regarded and long-sought rights disappear overnight; where, frankly, we have no effective government at all, it now being a hollowed out shell of itself (read The Atlantic's interviews with the dedicated and vastly knowledgeable government workers fired or in limbo to understand what we've lost).
So, no, I want to but don't understand a single vote for What's-His-Name.
Thank you, Margo; but I admit, I’m saddened too, not only by all the things that have happened to date but also by the knowledge that, I fear, too few Americans will do as Matthew has done and then pledge for change.
Maureen, I absolutely loved what and how you wrote so eloquently. I also liked some of the much needed ideas you depicted in regard to the genuine and authentic changes that our Country needs make in order to get back to “Governing” with Principles, Honesty, Ethics, Compassion, Respect, Integrity and most of all Humanity. We all deserve this. Both Mathew and yourself have inspired me deeply & I wish to Thank You. 👍❤️☮️😁💫🙏
Just butting in here to say that i think i do understand some of the things you don't understand. Not in Matthew's case, i don't pretend to speak for him, but your questions seem to have answers to me. First, why a person might vote Republican or Democrat simply because that's what they identify with. I don't think I'm that old, but i am old enough to have felt disappointed - severely disappointed -- by every candidate I've ever supported who has won an election at every single level of government I've known anything about. This nation of ours, like every nation, is a fantastically complicated set of interests, beliefs, ideas, cherished myths, enmities, fears, and hopes. And we often think of Republicans and Democrats or right and left as though they provide an adequate summary of these things but they don't and not even close. The diversity of topics and decisions bound up in governance is irreducably complex and none of us have even close to the same vision for this country as anyone else. I think if one made any attempt to sort of granularly break down every decision or action taken, especially at the federal level, and looked at poll data on every single one and developed a political platform that represented the majority view on each of those issues, the resulting position would get only minority support and would still have something - that every single voter disagreed with, probably vehemently. Part of life is holding one's nose a bit when going to the polls and making a decision based on the least terrible option on those things one thinks are most important. And - and this is important - what we each think of as most important depends on who we each are, how the power of the state has affected us in the past and how it's likely to affect us and many things that seem important to one voter are simply so far out of another voter's experience that they don't enter into their imagination in any important way. And that's not just saying that things you find of fundamental importance maybe weren't thought about by Matthew, but also probably that things he finds of fundamental important weren't thought about by you. And even where you both found similar things important and even have common end goals, you may well have very different beliefs about the ways different policies will affect those goals. And often neither of you may have any very deep understanding of the likely practical effects of electing one candidate over another or pursuing one set it policies over another because we all of us, every one, in large part operates on generalized assumptions and principles that substitute for detailed knowledge because we'd be paralyzed if we didn't. Finally, we all tend to be a bit blinded to the scariest aspects of our own sides. There are terrifying people on the left as well as the right and even if we see and acknowledge them -- and often we don't -- we downplay their importance because we centralize ourselves and we know we are thoughtful and non destructive people and tend to think it's that center that will drive decisions, even when we know we're holding our noses at the ballot box.
Even with all that said, like you it baffles me that anyone thoughtful could have ever voted for Trump. I'm maybe even more deeply baffled because I've seen people who i know to be deeply thoughtful scholars in politically adjacent fields that i have enough expertise in to recognize the importance and brilliance of their work, who have supported Trump and I'm gobsmacked by it. Intellectually, i think i understand how it's possible but practically i don't have the imagination to put myself in a position where that makes sense.
And, i suspect, like you i resent people who voted for him because i see the incalculable damage he's caused to this nation. Incalculable and possibly irreversible.
But i am also very willing to welcome prodigal sons because there's a lot of rebuilding that needs to be done and a lot of convincing and changing of minds that still needs to happen and most of the changing of minds isn't going to come from anything i have to say -- I'm too far separated from many of the people i disagree with to find arguments that will make sense to them or to create trust in them necessary for a good faith discussion. Most of that convincing is going to have to come from people who supported Trump at some point. So it's very definitely a day of celebration when for me when I find another.
When I wrote "I don't understand" I did not mean it literally so much as "wondering at" in the face of facts and truths, too many of which have become perverted.
I grew up in the Washington, D.C., area, a plague of political deal-making and influence and all else that accompanies and follows professional politicians. I am by no means naive in understanding how the political machine works and at what cost. As a kid, I went on field trips to places like the Supreme Court and the National Archives and the many great repositories of our country's history. It's a thing of the past, and that's a shame, because too many generations of Americans know nothing of their country's history.
I admit to being liberal, because somewhere in that word lies, for me, respect for all humans and opportunities once denied made possible. In my lifetime, I've seen some of the worst and some of the best ascend to positions where they made a difference. But one doesn't have to be in politics to make a difference. A single vote can make a difference.
I have a sister who will defend What's-His-Name no matter the facts presented before her. And she has hardened in her position as time has gone on, because she refuses to face to herself how she voted and knows she helped unleash the makings of an administration that lies and cheats and profits from. It saddens me. Change comes about only when people are willing to undertake the soul-searching required to make right. And that also takes willingness to speak out against what is wrong. I've done so for a long time.
Voting is a responsibility and one I take seriously. Our election cycles are long enough - too long - that not to become educated about the issues and the candidates is inexcusable.
I want to be clear especially on this point: I in no way resent anyone who voted for What's-His-Name. That was their right in this country, and one that must be respected.
You have respectfully and eloquently put into words much better than I ever could the questions that arose as I read Mathew’s post. I applaud and respect his willingness to acknowledge his error in judgement. But I can not fathom why anyone, especially someone who gave 24 years of his life to defend this country and who pledged an oath to the constitution, and who is obviously highly intelligent, could vote for someone who tried to violently overthrow the results of a fair and free election, never mind all of the repulsive character flaws and egregious actions you described, could vote for someone like that not once, not twice, but three times. Boggles the mind.
I want to add this to my original response: I deeply respect Matthew, enjoy his splendid writing, which I have been reading since I came to Substack, and know how profoundly he struggled to make his vote public, which, of course, none of us is obliged to do. There is great integrity in doing that, despite any disappointment we might feel about that vote by someone we admire. It also brought risk for Matthew and his family, and I think all of us know what that word means.
I was reminded of that yesterday as I read a letter from the Archbishop and Primate Shane Parker of the Anglican Episcopal Church in Canada to the Most Rev. Sean Rowe, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church in the U.S. of which I am a member. He wrote that "[. . .] courageous words and actions in the face of disturbing and dangerous challenges are themselves a blessing,[. . .]" that also sometimes require "high costs and risks." Matthew, I'm sure, understood that, and I hope that he finds peace in his heart and soul as we all navigate our way in seeking justice and opportunity.
Dear Matthew, I so appreciate your willingness to publish this very personal and difficult essay -- and I appreciate your voice being expressed on behalf of our communities, families, and children and of our country, which we both served. You have my sincere thanks and admiration. I am restacking with a supportive note. Best, Hal
My heart aches. Someone who so beautifully parsed out the universal truths from Homer's ancient words... I just can't believe that you voted for trump knowing what he did and what he promised. Truth is under attack and you did not defend it. I give you credit for admitting the truth, but every word you write from this point on will be hollow to me. Dark times, dark times.
Shouldn't we be celebrating when someone changes their mind, refines their viewpoint, acknowledges they made a mistake? Rather than condemning their honesty?
The only way out of the mess we're in is in welcoming a change of view rather than castigating the person for acknowledging it.
Nobody needs to celebrate that. We can acknowledge the change of heart and mind, and we can try to understand, but celebrate this after the deafening silence all of these years? No.
I think this totalizing approach is a mistake and want to say a little about why. We see things as binaries when almost nothing ever is. It's not a world of Trump supporters implacably spreading evil and Trump opponents steadfastly holding firm against that. Both those categories of people exist, but so do a lot of people who are neither. A lot of people whose support for Trump was a quiet, secret punch of a card in a ballot box once or maybe twice, and a lot of people whose opposition to him has been no different. And even among those who supported him it's possible that their voice in their communities has been one that's pulled back and helped pull back others from the worst of what Trump has done. There are always degrees to these things -- the continuum is continuous. And it's important to keep in mind, as i say elsewhere in this comment section, that in many cases we, as Americans, are simply too unlike each other to communicate with each other. But there's always hope that the needed communication can happen in stages. Mr. A may never be able to convince Ms. Z of any aspect of his point of view. But there may be a B who can talk to A and a Y that can talk to Z and in between those other people who can help pull us back from the mess we've worked ourselves in to. So what I'm saying is that any time one finds any common ground with any person -- even if those people hold positions that are shocking to us -- those are the people it's maybe specially important to listen to in good faith and with open hearts and to talk to in good faith and with open hearts.
We need more people willing to publicly make this acknowledgment. Kudos to you for doing so.
So well said. Bravo, brave one.
It takes courage and integrity to admit fault. I hope others say the same so others follow your example
Beautifully written and spoken from the heart. I completely agree with your entire essay. This took courage and the least I can do is try to match your courage as a fellow veteran.
I have spoken out to my elected representatives and this encourages me to continue to speak out.
Thank you!
Thank you, Matthew! Your post is strong and inspiring! I agree and am sure that many others do, too.
Thank you for speaking up. I have always been horrified by Trump, but I have a lot of family & acquaintances who have found ways to rationalize supporting him. I hope they all have similar moments of reckoning with their consciences. I miss the days when conservatives had leadership worth a vote. I’m a liberal, but there are points of view to the right of me that deserve serious champions, not the current circus. It’s a damaging time for the whole country & a huge waste of time for the Republican cause.
Thank you, Matthew, for your courage to write this.
Thank you for your courageous and thoughtful essay. I hope that your example will allow others to move forward and for all of us to take necessary risks in this critical moment.
Eloquent, courageous, searchingly honest. How difficult it must have been to write this post. I applaud your integrity.
Matthew, glad your burden is lighter, your path clearer, and your light brighter. I was touched by your words of confession and atonement. Peace.
Matthew, I can't imagine how difficult this must have been to write and post publicly. It takes great courage. Once again, I'm proud to call you my friend.
Matthew,
I'm glad you wrote this and glad you decided that you could no longer tolerate Trump.
That said, it is worrisome to me that someone as thoughtful as you could have persisted in your support for as long as you did and that someone as thoughtful as you disaggregated morality from leadership for so long.
I know it would be more gentlemanly to simply say thank you for a brave email. Please take my worry as a mark of deep and continued respect.
Best,
David
What you said very much needs saying, David. The combat veterans I've had the honor of sharing a classroom with saw Trump for what he was in 2016, and none of them would have sent their soldiers into battle with this self-aggrandizing, draft-dodging, pussy-grabbing narcissist at the lead.
Matthew, I won't "cancel" you, and I can appreciate and also deeply respect your willingness to write here that you voted for What's-His-Name (I refuse to acknowledge him by name, which would give him a dignity he is not owed) and that you bear what I imagine is a great burden on your heart and mind. But, forgive me: I still cannot understand how anyone could vote for him the first time, nor especially the second. He had no qualifications whatsoever for the presidency, had declared bankruptcy at least seven times, was unarguably a racist (recall his statement about the "Central Park 5"), as was his father; was clearly a misogynist, was embroiled in lawsuit after lawsuit, and had as his mentor Roy Cohn(!), who gave counsel to Joseph McCarthy who ruined many men's and women's lives. It was well-known he figured out ways to deprive his contractors and subcontractors of what he owed them. And even when it appeared - an important word - as if he was contributing to the welfare of society, he subsequently was found to be taking advantage as the grifter he's always been and lined his own pockets, as do his children as well.
How can all that be known and yet be set aside when one steps into an Election Day booth?
I've never understood, or perhaps I should say I have never received adequate explanation of why a person votes Republican or Democrat strictly because that person has declared him- or herself to be a Republican or a Democrat. I consider myself independent of either party and have never given a dime of my own to either. Were we allowed a vote on having or not having a two-party system, I'd argue for none, that we consider nominees on established qualifications for the presidency and elect based on merit (the only current requirement is being age 35). (I've a raft of other changes in our election system that I'd like to see this country commit to as well.)
Forgive me: I can't say I can grasp intellectually what allowed you to make the decision you did and withhold your vote for the other candidate.
What has happened to the concept of "an informed electorate"? What has happened to holding our representatives to accountability to us when we can see they are only accountable to themselves, making the system work for them at every turn? How many more examples can we find of that? Why have we allowed wealth to buy influence? Why do we not insist as citizens, as is our right, that no person is above another?
We all have a responsibility as voters to weigh the pros and cons of every candidate before we take the time to vote. If understanding the issues and the candidates' positions or statements only occurs outside the voting site where people hand out their party's literature, it's too late.
How do we turn all this around?
Would that every person who voted for What's-His-Name do as you have done, take responsibility, and then also advocate mightily and continuously for correction and vote everyone out in the mid-terms.
I'm a child of the 1960s. For all the tumultuousness of those years and into the early 1970s of its continuance, I saw how advocacy and persistence, and courage to speak out, peaceably, could bring about change. That's how treatment for AIDS in the 1980s happened. People took it on themselves to work together to make change. Now in 2026, I see how there are no safeguards in place; advances in science and medicine that benefit the world are dispatched with the wave of a hand; peaceful protest is met with armed resistance, even killings; discrimination is acceptable, whether on the basis of gender, sex, race, or other categories once protected; what belongs to the nation (our parks and historic areas, the White House itself, the Kennedy Center) is destroyed by a name signed in ink; unelected aides make policy (Stephen Smith anyone?); our long-regarded and long-sought rights disappear overnight; where, frankly, we have no effective government at all, it now being a hollowed out shell of itself (read The Atlantic's interviews with the dedicated and vastly knowledgeable government workers fired or in limbo to understand what we've lost).
So, no, I want to but don't understand a single vote for What's-His-Name.
Beautifully written!!!!
Thank you, Margo; but I admit, I’m saddened too, not only by all the things that have happened to date but also by the knowledge that, I fear, too few Americans will do as Matthew has done and then pledge for change.
Maureen, I absolutely loved what and how you wrote so eloquently. I also liked some of the much needed ideas you depicted in regard to the genuine and authentic changes that our Country needs make in order to get back to “Governing” with Principles, Honesty, Ethics, Compassion, Respect, Integrity and most of all Humanity. We all deserve this. Both Mathew and yourself have inspired me deeply & I wish to Thank You. 👍❤️☮️😁💫🙏
So agree
Just butting in here to say that i think i do understand some of the things you don't understand. Not in Matthew's case, i don't pretend to speak for him, but your questions seem to have answers to me. First, why a person might vote Republican or Democrat simply because that's what they identify with. I don't think I'm that old, but i am old enough to have felt disappointed - severely disappointed -- by every candidate I've ever supported who has won an election at every single level of government I've known anything about. This nation of ours, like every nation, is a fantastically complicated set of interests, beliefs, ideas, cherished myths, enmities, fears, and hopes. And we often think of Republicans and Democrats or right and left as though they provide an adequate summary of these things but they don't and not even close. The diversity of topics and decisions bound up in governance is irreducably complex and none of us have even close to the same vision for this country as anyone else. I think if one made any attempt to sort of granularly break down every decision or action taken, especially at the federal level, and looked at poll data on every single one and developed a political platform that represented the majority view on each of those issues, the resulting position would get only minority support and would still have something - that every single voter disagreed with, probably vehemently. Part of life is holding one's nose a bit when going to the polls and making a decision based on the least terrible option on those things one thinks are most important. And - and this is important - what we each think of as most important depends on who we each are, how the power of the state has affected us in the past and how it's likely to affect us and many things that seem important to one voter are simply so far out of another voter's experience that they don't enter into their imagination in any important way. And that's not just saying that things you find of fundamental importance maybe weren't thought about by Matthew, but also probably that things he finds of fundamental important weren't thought about by you. And even where you both found similar things important and even have common end goals, you may well have very different beliefs about the ways different policies will affect those goals. And often neither of you may have any very deep understanding of the likely practical effects of electing one candidate over another or pursuing one set it policies over another because we all of us, every one, in large part operates on generalized assumptions and principles that substitute for detailed knowledge because we'd be paralyzed if we didn't. Finally, we all tend to be a bit blinded to the scariest aspects of our own sides. There are terrifying people on the left as well as the right and even if we see and acknowledge them -- and often we don't -- we downplay their importance because we centralize ourselves and we know we are thoughtful and non destructive people and tend to think it's that center that will drive decisions, even when we know we're holding our noses at the ballot box.
Even with all that said, like you it baffles me that anyone thoughtful could have ever voted for Trump. I'm maybe even more deeply baffled because I've seen people who i know to be deeply thoughtful scholars in politically adjacent fields that i have enough expertise in to recognize the importance and brilliance of their work, who have supported Trump and I'm gobsmacked by it. Intellectually, i think i understand how it's possible but practically i don't have the imagination to put myself in a position where that makes sense.
And, i suspect, like you i resent people who voted for him because i see the incalculable damage he's caused to this nation. Incalculable and possibly irreversible.
But i am also very willing to welcome prodigal sons because there's a lot of rebuilding that needs to be done and a lot of convincing and changing of minds that still needs to happen and most of the changing of minds isn't going to come from anything i have to say -- I'm too far separated from many of the people i disagree with to find arguments that will make sense to them or to create trust in them necessary for a good faith discussion. Most of that convincing is going to have to come from people who supported Trump at some point. So it's very definitely a day of celebration when for me when I find another.
Thank you for your response.
When I wrote "I don't understand" I did not mean it literally so much as "wondering at" in the face of facts and truths, too many of which have become perverted.
I grew up in the Washington, D.C., area, a plague of political deal-making and influence and all else that accompanies and follows professional politicians. I am by no means naive in understanding how the political machine works and at what cost. As a kid, I went on field trips to places like the Supreme Court and the National Archives and the many great repositories of our country's history. It's a thing of the past, and that's a shame, because too many generations of Americans know nothing of their country's history.
I admit to being liberal, because somewhere in that word lies, for me, respect for all humans and opportunities once denied made possible. In my lifetime, I've seen some of the worst and some of the best ascend to positions where they made a difference. But one doesn't have to be in politics to make a difference. A single vote can make a difference.
I have a sister who will defend What's-His-Name no matter the facts presented before her. And she has hardened in her position as time has gone on, because she refuses to face to herself how she voted and knows she helped unleash the makings of an administration that lies and cheats and profits from. It saddens me. Change comes about only when people are willing to undertake the soul-searching required to make right. And that also takes willingness to speak out against what is wrong. I've done so for a long time.
Voting is a responsibility and one I take seriously. Our election cycles are long enough - too long - that not to become educated about the issues and the candidates is inexcusable.
I want to be clear especially on this point: I in no way resent anyone who voted for What's-His-Name. That was their right in this country, and one that must be respected.
You have respectfully and eloquently put into words much better than I ever could the questions that arose as I read Mathew’s post. I applaud and respect his willingness to acknowledge his error in judgement. But I can not fathom why anyone, especially someone who gave 24 years of his life to defend this country and who pledged an oath to the constitution, and who is obviously highly intelligent, could vote for someone who tried to violently overthrow the results of a fair and free election, never mind all of the repulsive character flaws and egregious actions you described, could vote for someone like that not once, not twice, but three times. Boggles the mind.
I want to add this to my original response: I deeply respect Matthew, enjoy his splendid writing, which I have been reading since I came to Substack, and know how profoundly he struggled to make his vote public, which, of course, none of us is obliged to do. There is great integrity in doing that, despite any disappointment we might feel about that vote by someone we admire. It also brought risk for Matthew and his family, and I think all of us know what that word means.
I was reminded of that yesterday as I read a letter from the Archbishop and Primate Shane Parker of the Anglican Episcopal Church in Canada to the Most Rev. Sean Rowe, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church in the U.S. of which I am a member. He wrote that "[. . .] courageous words and actions in the face of disturbing and dangerous challenges are themselves a blessing,[. . .]" that also sometimes require "high costs and risks." Matthew, I'm sure, understood that, and I hope that he finds peace in his heart and soul as we all navigate our way in seeking justice and opportunity.
Dear Matthew, I so appreciate your willingness to publish this very personal and difficult essay -- and I appreciate your voice being expressed on behalf of our communities, families, and children and of our country, which we both served. You have my sincere thanks and admiration. I am restacking with a supportive note. Best, Hal
Thank you.
My heart aches. Someone who so beautifully parsed out the universal truths from Homer's ancient words... I just can't believe that you voted for trump knowing what he did and what he promised. Truth is under attack and you did not defend it. I give you credit for admitting the truth, but every word you write from this point on will be hollow to me. Dark times, dark times.
Shouldn't we be celebrating when someone changes their mind, refines their viewpoint, acknowledges they made a mistake? Rather than condemning their honesty?
The only way out of the mess we're in is in welcoming a change of view rather than castigating the person for acknowledging it.
Nobody needs to celebrate that. We can acknowledge the change of heart and mind, and we can try to understand, but celebrate this after the deafening silence all of these years? No.
I think this totalizing approach is a mistake and want to say a little about why. We see things as binaries when almost nothing ever is. It's not a world of Trump supporters implacably spreading evil and Trump opponents steadfastly holding firm against that. Both those categories of people exist, but so do a lot of people who are neither. A lot of people whose support for Trump was a quiet, secret punch of a card in a ballot box once or maybe twice, and a lot of people whose opposition to him has been no different. And even among those who supported him it's possible that their voice in their communities has been one that's pulled back and helped pull back others from the worst of what Trump has done. There are always degrees to these things -- the continuum is continuous. And it's important to keep in mind, as i say elsewhere in this comment section, that in many cases we, as Americans, are simply too unlike each other to communicate with each other. But there's always hope that the needed communication can happen in stages. Mr. A may never be able to convince Ms. Z of any aspect of his point of view. But there may be a B who can talk to A and a Y that can talk to Z and in between those other people who can help pull us back from the mess we've worked ourselves in to. So what I'm saying is that any time one finds any common ground with any person -- even if those people hold positions that are shocking to us -- those are the people it's maybe specially important to listen to in good faith and with open hearts and to talk to in good faith and with open hearts.