The Civil Heretic

Christian independent / 3.5%

Relentlessly question & challenge. Ruthlessly pursue truth. Do it all with polite facts...plus a dash of sarcasm.

[The Civil Heretic @ddtmatter]

Trump in the News: A Mega Thread

"I didn't think it would be like this." Every time I hear someone say that about Trump, I have to ask: how could you have not known? Trump has clearly shown us exactly what kind of person he is for decades.

This is just some of that history.

[The Civil Heretic @ddtmatter]

America. 2026.

[The Civil Heretic @ddtmatter]

@realannapaulina *sigh*

[The Civil Heretic @ddtmatter]

@DagwoodSamuel2 @WhiteHouse "That one is just 1Aing it/they's best gay pink frog life."

You are my people, even if we're on opposite sides.

[The Civil Heretic @ddtmatter]

@GossipersNLiars @WhiteHouse Clearly some folks need to read more, drama llama.

[The Civil Heretic @ddtmatter]

@Lum004 @aspofwisconsin Did the bill not pass the Senate with an 85-5 vote?
Did it not pass the House with a 358-32 vote?
Did Trump not just refuse to sign it?

All of those are true regardless of Trump's rationale. 🤦‍♂️

[The Civil Heretic @ddtmatter]

@DeepuBaba8826 @RapidResponse47 @SecScottBessent Okay, Deepu Baba.

[The Civil Heretic @ddtmatter]

@BigManOficialTv @RapidResponse47 @SecScottBessent 🤦‍♂️

[The Civil Heretic @ddtmatter]

@Bikerbro6 @DelmoeTelf34828 Didn't think so...

Have a lovely evening. Muted. https://t.co/BV4XD6Qgsr

[The Civil Heretic @ddtmatter]

Don't feed the trolls.

When I created this account, I spent an inordinate amount of time debating with people who disregard presented evidence, respond with insults and genetic fallacies, and shift the goalposts.

I stopped for one simple reason: it doesn't change anything. ⬇️

Divisions in the United States have widened to such a degree that people on both sides of the "conservative" and "liberal" spectrum have woven their political and social beliefs into their very identities. Arguing against those beliefs, from that perspective, amounts to a perceived attack on them.

While this certainly isn't new, it has become exacerbated by the depth of animosity between Republicans and Democrats. In the past some common ground could be found on particular issues. That's no longer the case. Now virtually every position represents a battleground, and the two sides refuse to give one inch.

This is precisely why I've simply begun blocking those who demonstrate that they're so entrenched in their views that they refuse to engage by grappling with other perspectives. Research consistently demonstrates this it simply will not work. Rather, I gravitate toward those in the middle like myself who may have strong feelings on a range of topics, but are still open to debate. More importantly, they don't interpret disagreement as a personal attack and are potentially willing to change their minds.

Are you engaging in good faith?

If you find yourself being dragged into tit-for-tat arguments that descend into endless bickering, perhaps consider stepping back. Present the evidence, make it clear that insults won't work, and block the trolls. You're not going to change their minds regardless.

And if you are the one consistently responding to presented facts and data with insults, memes, and rationalizations, perhaps consider that it's not a matter of debating the evidence anymore. It has become a means of protecting your identity.

[The Civil Heretic @ddtmatter]

Here's the video of Karoline Leavitt making the first statement: https://t.co/uL9DzUY95e

Here's the White House page with Trump's quote, and an even more damning claim from Hegseth ("Based on everything we have seen — and I’ve seen it all — our bombing campaign obliterated Iran’s ability to create nuclear weapons"): https://t.co/KTiS9c6fAf

Here's the video of Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard acknowledging that there is no evidence that Iran had resumed its nuclear program: https://t.co/rsY2WoD1sg

Here's the MOU that acknowledges a commitment of $300 billion for Iran, the "termination of all sanctions," and the release of frozen funds, all in exchange for a simple promise that Iran "reaffirms that it shall not procure or develop nuclear weapons": https://t.co/aCkXQwnHJp

Here's the video of Vance stating that Iran will let IAEA inspectors back...exactly what the JCPOA already included without a war: https://t.co/NxcvDNNcu1

Any tangible evidence whatsoever from you or merely another insult?

[ANI @ANI]

#WATCH | White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt says, "President Trump and the team determined the new modified plan was a workable basis on which to negotiate and to align it with our own 15-point proposal. The President's red lines, namely the end of Iranian enrichment in Iran, have not changed. And the idea that President Trump would ever accept an Iranian wish list as a deal is completely absurd. The President will only make a deal that serves in the best interests of the United States of America, and he and his negotiating team will focus on this effort over the next two weeks, so long as the Strait of Hormuz remains open, with no limitations or delays. These extraordinarily sensitive and complex negotiations will take place behind closed doors over the course of the next two weeks..."

(Source: The White House)

[The Civil Heretic @ddtmatter]

Hence the reason I specified the future Biff in the second film, not the original character: "When Biff owns a casino, there was a Trump influence in that, absolutely. Trump had to put his name on all of his hotels and his casinos and that's what Biff does too..."

If one were to quibble, it could be "inspired by" rather than "based on." https://t.co/DvUILYwPpT

[The Civil Heretic @ddtmatter]

"The president's red lines, namely the end of Iranian enrichment in Iran, have not changed..."

Allowing nuclear power entails a degree of enrichment. Beyond that, your point doesn't address the inconsistencies regarding the claims that Iran's nuclear program was "obliterated" and that they hadn't resumed it versus Trump's subsequent claim that they would attack in "two weeks."

Nor does it address the inconsistencies in the stated goals and the MOU that we're now seeing, which has already granted Iran more concessions than what it had under the JCPOA with no guarantees.

Do you have anything other than insults to address these points?

[The Civil Heretic @ddtmatter]

@Bikerbro6 @RapidResponse47 @POTUS Your inability to present a tangible argument but rather revert to insults isn't stunning or unexpected. 🤷‍♂️

[The Civil Heretic @ddtmatter]

@Acyn It goes well with this one.

[The Civil Heretic @ddtmatter]

@DougieCUSA @RapidResponse47 @POTUS

[The Civil Heretic @ddtmatter]

Gee, you got me...except for the fact that Trump claimed Iran's nuclear capabilities were "obliterated" last year, shifted to a claim that they were going to strike with a nuclear weapon in "two weeks" even as his own Director of National Intelligence said there was no evidence to support that, and now claims that it's okay if Iran has a nuclear program: "It's a little hard when other people have it, other adjoining states have it, and you're not letting them have it for purposes of electricity and things like that. You have to use a little common sense."

[The Civil Heretic @ddtmatter]

@atrupar

[The Civil Heretic @ddtmatter]

@mattvanswol