The Game Is Up: Disillusioned Trump Voters Tell Their Stories

There is so much to take away from the individual stories of contrite former Trumpists in Melissa Jo Peltier's "The Game Is Up". One sees how an echo chamber of rightwing lies and propaganda (Fox News is often mentioned!) can distort reality even for good, smart people!

But such people can discern, over time, the contrast between the hate they're being fed and their own humanity. And, if not greeted by counterattacks, such people are capable of change!

The farmer; the evangelical Christians; the young Jewish activist; each individual's story reveals an epiphany in the soul of a good American.

And, if we watch (and LISTEN!) with our own hearts open, we cannot help but have sympathy for those who have conquered their hate.

Such empathy for our fellow Americans is the antibiotic that our country desperately needs to get through this epidemic of hatred!

This documentary is so well prepared and educational and should be mandatory student learning prior to the 2024 election.

All newly documented citizens, who are allowed to vote for the first time, should be required to watch this.

This could be used in psychology courses and classes, civics courses, science, political science, behavioral health and sciences.

This could be watched as student seminars in their auditoriums as a school function with their parents.

The use of facts, evidence, statistics, science, experiences, and opinions helps to deliver the best possible understanding for why these people and others were deceived, brainwashed, propagandized, and chose to go against what they were taught as children was right from wrong and what the feeling was when they followed the cult of lies and rallies.

No pun intended - and no I don't mean that Trump is done for. Many I reckon would wish for this to happen, but I doubt he will face serious consequences for what he has done ... not just to America but the whole world. To humanity some might say ... and it is not like he was first ... he just exploited systems and made other people pay for whatever sins he commited - pun very much intended in this case.

The Republican Party has become a joke ... a vile and disgusting one, but a joke nonetheless. They just can't see it themselves or deny seeing it. Whatever makes them stay in power and rich ... doesn't matter who suffers because of that. The main problem is of course the two party system in general. But it could work, if both parties tried to make sense ... Democrats are mostly the ones that do make sense ... which isn't helping much either. You need discourse ... you need fraction ... you need discussions ... you need things to move forward from. All those things are missing in America.

And there is a terrible trend to be seen amidst the pandemic where people seem to become even more close minded ... in a time and age where we can connect to anyone ... almost. A shame some might rightfully say. But at least some have woken up. And I do believe that those who see the errors in their way can be not just forgiven, but embraced. And it all begins with Joe Walsh - a Republican who aided and abetted Trump ... but who finally saw what he was complicit to ... and changed lanes and tried everything to undo the evil ... too little too late some might say ... but he is trying and has lost a lot ... others should follow his example (I am not holding my breath).

It goes on with other people - all individuals that once thought Trump was great or at least not really a bad solution. Oh boy where they wrong ... and the way the documentary is build up and structured really shines a light on all that. It does help if you are aware of certain things beforehand ... But I doubt there are many people who do not know about Trump ... everything else will be blatantly obvious ... so obvious you may still not understand why people fall for the tricks ... but that is also explained ... bubble and all that. Very engaging and very important ... will it be able to change peoples mind? We'll have to wait and see ...

Considering this documentary was shot at the height of the pandemic, it is eerily prescient. From the cult expert's message of "love, respect, and compassion" now being personified by Kamala Harris and Tim Walz on the campaign trail, to the reformed farmer's "Just. Do. Something" rallying call presaging Michelle Obama's speech at the 2024 DNC convention, the film is a remarkable collage of the sentiments so often expressed by today's reasonable Republicans. A fantastic achievement! I, too, think it should be required viewing for every single American who will be voting this November, especially those of the MAGA variety. If each person who has seen the documentary could get just one MAGA supporter to watch it, it would be a start, at least.

I first heard of this documentary on "X" and it intrigued me enough to hunt it down. I just finished watching it, and all I can say is, wow.

I was impressed at the in-depth explanation of how Trump's following became the cult that is now, Trumpism. Those that we interviewed were not Democrats or Liberal. They're the straight up followers who finally saw the chink in Trump's armor and how flawed he is.

This film is absolutely worthy of all the accolades and awards it received. Many more people need to see and understand what we need to fight against and see what it is we will lose if we do not. This needs to be shared again & again so people understand the how and why of the cult.

Watch it, it's definately worth it.