Forum: What share of blame should left bear for Trump’s reign?

Published 1:30 am Saturday, January 3, 2026

By Dan Hazen / Herald Forum

Perhaps “low class” is the most generous description of President Donald Trump tagging the Kennedey Center for the Performing Arts (his name above Kennedy’s of course). But I’m more interested in the photograph of two workmen installing the “Trump” lettering with big smiles and enthusiastic thumbs up.

I mean, the news is out: Trump is a vulgar narcissist. Hello? But what about the average Americans (you know, guys who install signs and such) who support him? Isn’t that a more interesting and frankly more important point of contemplation? After all, they’re the only reason he rose to power and maintains it … for now. If we don’t figure out why, Trump and his toadies will, after three more years of free rein in our national kitchen, cook up ways to stay in power without their support. So, why would these two guys so heartily embrace it all?

I’m serious. Why?

I do not presume they’re dumb, because — truth is — very few people actually are. And while systemic racism is very real, individual, cartoon-villain-style racists are also rare. They’re out there (I’ve met them), but they are not as ubiquitous or influential as our elite, progressive cultural critics would have us believe. Additionally, everyone I know entertains at least one popular conspiracy theory. It’s expressed as something like, “I know this sounds crazy, but sometimes I wonder if …” What follows usually involves technology, pharmaceuticals, the media or “The Corporations.” But statistically, most people are not conspiracy whack-jobs.

So, there are ignorant and hopeless people, but few dumb ones. There are marginalized and misunderstood people, but few actual racists. There are frightened and suspicious people, but few conspiracy theorists. Again, when I say “few” I do not mean “none.” I mean numbers too small to account for Trumpism. So, something else is going on.

There is plenty of blame to lay directly at the feet of Trumpers, but it also has to do with how the left misunderstands ignorance, hopelessness, marginalization, fear and suspicion. The left seems to believe that (if you’re in an unprotected class) these conditions are willful, moral failures on your part. At best you’re a problem. At worst, you’re evil. When the leaders of a democracy openly disdain and try to shut out the majority of citizens rather than listen, cooperate and educate, they drive them into the arms of a waiting tyrant.

The only organized opposition to Trumpism still sees those workmen, their wives, children and neighbors as an embarrassing, monolithic, “problem” rather than as individuals with stories, needs, legitimate concerns and value. (Hillary Clinton revealed this with her 2016 “basket of deplorables” slip) It’s easier (read: lazy) to discard them as dumb, racist, conspiracy theorists. Most of them are not, but they will vehemently push back on those slurs by embracing a liar who, not coincidentally, feeds on ignorance, hopelessness, marginalization, misinformation, fear and suspicion.

Your average, sign-installing-American will, in fact, cut off his nose to spite his face (if his face continues to judge and belittle him).

Trumpism must be resisted like lung cancer is resisted. But the left blaming only Trumpers for Trump is like tobacco companies blaming only smokers for contracting lung cancer. If we really are in this together, then everyone needs to own their part in it.

Yes, Trump might be the end of us all. But if he is not, those offering the current alternative most certainly will be.

Love your neighbor … and love your enemy.

Dan Hazen lives in Marysville and works in Everett.