This is meant to be a good faith discussion. Why wouldn’t we share it far and wide every time Trump lies? I get not sharing his baseless insults or unchecked falsehoods, but when he stands at a podium each day and lies, we should ignore it? To me, that feels like we’re complicit.

When I started Moms Demand Action, people on twitter were upset that I shared the NRA’s propaganda. But I felt sunlight was the best disinfectant. Ignoring them wouldn’t make them go away. Shinjng a light on their propaganda made even their own Board turn against NRATV.

If I’m arguing with myself, I’d say, “Well, the NRA isn’t running for office and Trump needs the spotlight to win. And sharing his daily screeds increases the attention he gets.” But to just ignore it? Would that have made other authoritarian leaders go away? Or encouraged them?

How do we educate our relatives and friends about Trump’s agenda if we don’t pay attention to it? How do we call ourselves engaged citizens if we don’t call him out every day? How do we help those he’s attacking if we turn away? How do we beat him if we pretend he doesn’t exist?

As @RadioFreeTom said, “I watch because we all should, in order to ensure that we can tell our fellow citizens about it even if they refuse to listen.”

When the most powerful person in the world lies every day, I want to push back every day. But I’m open to why I might be wrong.

And while I understand the desire to deny the President an audience, he will always have his base. He will always get media coverage. Doesn’t us turning our backs just enable him even more freedom to maneuver in the dark?

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