this post was submitted on 21 Sep 2025
        
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Capitulation is never the right response when dealing with fascists because fascists will never be satisfied to let it end with one demand. We have now reached the point where Trump is demanding coverage meet his specific standards. If it doesn't meet those standards he says it's not free speech anymore. Do you think companies should get Trump's prior approval for articles and comedians get his prior approval for jokes to avoid the retribution you mention? Should non-media company executives get prior approval for public statements?
The long term fallout from being silent, or backing down and becoming the propaganda arm of Trump's already fascist regime will far worse than any possible retribution these companies face in the short term. If every company stated the truth about Trump's effect on their business not one of them would have to worry about retribution.
You and I get it. But I'm still not sure I would throw my hypothetical employees under the bus. I'm not arguing for capitulation, we damned well know that doesn't work with fascists. I'm just presenting the major CEO side of the equation.
Fuck me, I can't fly a flag, plant a yard sign or cut a bumper sticker because I dare not draw attention to my immigrant wife. I know, that's different, but still, I can't invite violence because I have the means to shoot back, at all times, even on the shitter. I can't die or go to jail over shooting an angry redneck. I got a wife and two small children depending on me. I'm ready, I'm willing, but we all gotta pick our battles.
Neither of us are being paid millions to represent the interests of a Fortune listed corporation either. We have essentially zero influence on the national stage and as individuals can be easily targeted by the Maga nuts. Those who do have power and are getting paid accordingly have failed us completely.
Among politicians AOC and a few others shouldn't be so alone when leading the charge against what the fascists are doing. There should be a fucking chorus of people from across the political spectrum, but instead pols, business leaders, law enforcement and the press are mostly busy keeping their heads down rather that speaking up. It amazes me that so many people in our government are blithely ignoring the oaths they took with their hands on a bible. If they actually believed in God those oaths would mean something.
If those paid to do so had been speaking up from the start Trump would have been removed from office during the last shitshow, or impeached after he left office, or tried and convicted for inciting insurgency, or tried and convicted for stealing classified documents and storing them in his bathroom, or dropped off the ballot in the states, or all of the above. Instead we're stuck as the proverbial frog in slowly boiling water.
IMO it's time that we start loudly calling out those in power who aren't using it and are instead pretending there is nothing wrong.
Good luck making it through this dumpster fire with your wife.