Trump's Increasing Cruelty Signals Weakness, not Strength
Americans need and want the truth. That's why we do what we do at Lincoln Square.
“Public pressure isn’t breaking the GOP; it’s radicalizing, and therefore strengthening, them even further, given what they will have to do to maintain their total power.”
- Bluesky commenter
In my weekly conversation with David Pepper last week, we discussed how the pressure coming from the public through calls, emails, and texts to members of Congress, protests around the country, people speaking up and out at town halls and to their friends, family, and community, supporting independent media, and by voting was working.
Obviously, did commenter doesn’t agree — but did so super-respectfully, including an explanation for why they didn’t buy what David and I were selling. These are the kinds of conversations we should be having. Respectful. Reasoned. Rational.
I stand by what David and I were saying, and I’ll go further. The commenter’s assertion is not evidence of a movement and its leader growing stronger; it’s an expression of weakness. Trapped, injured animals become more dangerous and aggressive because they know they are vulnerable, not because they are growing more powerful. They last out in irrational, desperate ways. The commenter states that this pressure radicalizes, and I’m sure that’s true for some. But the more radical and extreme Trump and his extreme MAGA followers behave, the more public support they are losing. The more support his movement loses from rational Americans, the weaker Trump’s hold on the party becomes.
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Rural voters reject vouchers when the policy threatens the only public school anchoring their community.
And how are people learning about Trump’s escalating, violent, unhinged self-sabotage? I’m not talking about the news junkies who follow every beat of the 24-hour news cycle wherever they can. The important change is that those who don’t follow the news are becoming more aware — that happens through community conversation, word-of-mouth, and information being passed on by trusted sources. That’s all of us doing our piece. That’s independent media like Lincoln Square beating the drum on every platform, so Americans are informed with facts and evidence, and can speak up and out. That’s you.
Will the fear of losing his grip on power make Trump more dangerous? Will the threats become larger? Will he go after more political enemies and media outlets? Yes, yes, and yes. That doesn’t mean we’re not winning. Why? Because we don’t stop. We’ve shown Donald Trump and those doing his bidding that we don’t cower. We don’t pull punches. We don’t surrender in advance. What we do is double down on what’s working and, for that, we need your help. The right’s media machine is massive and decades in its creation. It’s backed by billionaires willing to spend their money to have their taxes lowered and the American people’s voices silenced.
But it’s not working. Independent media is proving our effectiveness and our reach. Americans need and want the truth. More and more are recognizing the truth about Trump’s ambitions for the wealthy, well-connected, and most importantly, himself, and his complete disregard and contempt for working Americans. People are waking up to the disdain, disgust, and complete lack of empathy he has for people who are struggling, whether it’s a struggle to feed their families, find good-paying jobs, get an education, or afford medical care. He. Doesn’t. Care.
But you do, and we’re so grateful.
I hope one way you fight back is by supporting Lincoln Square with a subscription at any level. Not a penny is wasted, and there is no harder-working, more committed team anywhere. You can help Lincoln Square grow, get louder, reach more people, and keep the pressure on. Because we are making huge progress against Trump’s fascist movement, but it’s far from over. As the calendar rolls into 2026, we know the fight gets harder and more dangerous, but we’re not going anywhere but forward. Join us.
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We launched Lincoln Square six months ago and boy, has it been a wild ride! We can’t thank you enough for being with us as we’ve grown. It’s hard to believe we have over 11,000 paid subscribers and are #21 on the U.S. Politics Bestsellers List!
I truly appreciate the Lincoln Project because they are honest, which gives me hope. I mention this to most people that I know. I believe we would be lost without their honesty, even if it is frightening. Looking the other way and pretending will not save us.
Yes, it does. Perfectly reflects the quote from the philosopher, "It is the weak who are cruel; expect gentleness from the strong."