Nicholas Kristof: Readers Respond to My Column on Trump Voters

In this episode, the columnist Nicholas Kristof argues that Democrats should focus their criticism on Donald Trump instead of Trump voters.

[@dannyf1168]

How much blatant lies and hatred should I listen to?

[@gnosticpygmy4417]

My problem with this is that it's one sided. Only liberals are encouraged to listen to conservatives (who masquerade their opinions legitimacy through claims to being inherently working class), while conservatives remain obstinate. The result is simply a victory for conservatism by doing exactly what you're decrying liberals for, being stubborn and unwilling to listen. Ultimately you're just rewarding them for bad behaviour. Additionally the "listen to the working class conservatives" narrative is one that stinks of elitism, and doesn't make sense if you're not already from a rich background. As a "liberal" from a working class background the way you talk about working class people comes across a bit patronising.

[@PathosConsultingGroup]

funny how in 10 years of trumpism i’ve never once seen a headline about trump supporters needing to listen to democrats or do more outreach. The double standard from our media is insane. Imagine a democrat doing what mark robinson did and NOT ONE call for resignation

[@tbone8636]

Liberals sure love to come off as whiny victims… It’s an opinion piece that is speaking to a primarily liberal audience. The prompt came from Bill Clinton’s speech (a liberal). People, like yourself, who think the NYTs is biased toward conservative views are simply low IQ.

[@benm7270]

The reason is that the media as a whole is very much on the side of the Democrats. People are already constantly exposed to liberal and left-wing talking points.

[@djbcubed]

​@benm7270 the number of democratic leaning news outlets is irrelevant when a significant portion of the population gets their "news" from right wing echo chambers like fox News and Newsmax.

[@subaru4920]

Empathy is the first step to bringing people over. If the first thing you hear from everyone is that those Trump supporters are bigots then you just convince them to stop listening to you.

[@mitchellscheer677]

Didn’t hear a chorus of calls for Menendez to resign. Funny how that works.

[@MacNCheeseUnicorn]

Maybe Trump supporters should listen to liberals as well 🤔

[@kevinjones5457]

We do. You don't.

[@onedroprule]

​@@kevinjones5457no, you dont.

[@Jorrtok]

@@onedropruleshould the US tariff countries or companies that use sl*ve labor?

[@onedroprule]

@@Jorrtok I don't know, the US uses that type of labor. But that issue is about #7685 on my list of priorities so.... what's your point?

[@Jorrtok]

@@onedroprulethat labor was only allowed to exist because of Democrats, as a side note. What’s your number one issue out of curiosity?

[@avengemybreath3084]

Pretty rich coming from the NYT. The heart of one of the most air-tight echo chambers on earth.

[@jps0117]

In a democracy -- particularly a "50-50" one with our electoral system -- listening to the other side is necessary if close (and they are almost always close) national elections are to be won, if for strategic and tactical purposes only. Politics isn't a field where you get to hang out only with people you like or already agree with.

[@chrissolace]

I think listening to the complaints of Trump supporters can be useful that we can tailor how to promote our policies. Because from some of the things they may want-a better life, better pay, better infrastructure, safety and security-those things are legitimate things to desire. Biden passed a bill to help with infrastructure, but those changes take time. We do need increases to minimum wage. Etc. I think the disconnect comes from deadlock in congress and not enough changes coming down the average worker. Do I think Trump has their best interests in mind? HECK NO. But they turned to him because they became disillusioned by the system and was a symptom of something (the well intended ones at least). The difficulty though, is that some become obsessed with Trump and to break them out of his rhetoric, you have to pass policies they’d have to admit is benefitting them.

[@oldasrocks9121]

Suprise suprise Kristof working on his sainthood again. Seems like he wants company this time.

[@johnkelley7474]

Kristof doesn’t have a friend who lacks $2, and if he did why wouldn’t he just give him $2?

[@konstantinehalkidis2414]

We should listen to one another, but I object to the phrase "blaming the victim" here. It's infantilizing. These are adults and they should be held responsible for their decisions. I agree that there are many victims of capitalism, but embracing a "false prophet" should not be viewed as an excusable option they have chosen. You can respectfully tell someone they're dead wrong in every way.

[@onedroprule]

I care about MAGA opinions about as much as they care about Liberal opinions.

[@Jorrtok]

@@onedroprule hey I care about your opinions!

[@NunTheLass]

No, thanks, I am done. What worked extremely well for me is spending 25 minutes actually reading the constitution. But it can be anything, you don't actually have to know a lot, bait them into your one chosen topic of expertise, anyone can do it. Then throw it in their face at the earliest opportunity. In my case 'did you actually read it? I did!' Not sure what the psychology behind it is. But then they will never even start the lies. Not with you. So it's more coping than listening.

[@l.buschman4096]

I live in a rural community . My neighbors are good hard working folks . The Democrats abandoned them , going back to Bill Clinton and NAFTA .

[@dannyf1168]

Sure, but not more than Republicans. Who have never offered them anything.

[@kevinjones5457]

Kristoff realizes the dems have lost the upper hand to those who want to Make America Great Again! 😂

[@annedinan8749]

Eww no Too dangerous

[@Edo9River]

Mr. Kristof, you should read what a fellow columnist at your newspaper, Mr. French.

[@kevinjones5457]

Start with "diversity of thought" in universities.

[@onedroprule]

Such a canard. Nobody is keeping Republicans out of teaching - Republicans dont seek to become educators. This is like complaining that there arent more liberals leading evangelical churches.

[@RichardKing-sx6xc]

😆😅😂🤣