I’m in the car, just pulling out of a crowded fast-food joint when another driver nearly slams into me, honking like a maniac. I let him go first, but then I spot it: his bumper sticker that says “Trump 2024.”
“What’s a Trump supporter?” my 6-year-old, Danny, asks, eyes wide.
Uh-oh.
I tell him that a Trump supporter is someone who wants Donald Trump to be president again. Danny knows about presidents, so he’s curious to know who this Trump guy is. I believe in being honest with kids, which means more than just labeling him as a Republican.
“Donald Trump is a wealthy businessman,” I begin, “but instead of using his money to help people, he often says mean things. He makes unkind comments about women and people of color. He even wants to build a wall to keep some people out of our country. And once, he suggested we should harm his political rival, which is definitely not okay. Plus, those crazy hairdos he sports? Let’s just say they look like a squirrel that lost a fight.”
I express my view that, in my opinion, Donald Trump isn’t a good person, and he tells lies.
Then I dive into talking about his supporters, who sometimes can be even worse. I explain that they gather in big crowds to shout racist things and even suggest terrible actions against Hillary Clinton. “Some folks wear shirts that say we should hurt her, and they claim they want to take America back – back from people who believe in using government resources to help those in need, like families and parks,” I say, trying to keep it simple.
Danny seems to understand and nods, though I can’t help but feel there’s so much more I want to share about Trump’s questionable business practices and the bizarre moments in his campaigns. But how much is too much for a kid?
I want my children to know the truth about politics, but I also think it’s important to protect their innocence and not overwhelm them with every detail. I mean, I’m definitely not going to explain how he got into a debate about penis size or the jokes about his tiny hands.
I find it frustrating to even have to mention this kind of craziness to my kids. If the Republicans had picked someone else, I could have explained their ideas in a way that made sense for Danny. But here we are, missing an opportunity for rational political discussions because of the current landscape.
Honestly, it’s a messed-up situation, and I wish it were different.
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Summary
The author shares a candid conversation with her young son about Donald Trump and his supporters, emphasizing the importance of honesty while navigating the complexities of political discussions with children. While wanting to inform her child, she struggles with how much information is appropriate for a young audience, highlighting the challenges of explaining contemporary politics.