Hot take: I think that Donald Trump’s jokes are killing democracy. But we can not joke about him, because “When 97% of the stories are bad about a person, it’s no longer free speech,” said Trump, and he thinks he can take it away for good.

Trump wants to reform the education system, and he wants to start from the beginning. He went straight for the heart, targeting the organization itself and threatening funds to push change. Trump’s mockery of DEI, race and gender ideologies, accessibility for students of all needs is setting the tone for how political power can reshape knowledge itself.

Now, Ivy League universities, which house some of our nation’s brightest pupils and leaders, are being targeted. Those same universities that are “corrupting the youth and society” with “woke, socialist, and anti-American ideology,” as Trump likes to say, are taking a stand against him. Against the United States of America government threatening their freedom of speech, against their rights, and against their voice.

“My Administration is fixing this, and FAST, with our Great Reform Agenda in Higher Education. Our Nation’s Great Institutions will once again prioritize Merit and Hard Work before “group identity,” resulting in tremendous new Research and Opportunity to benefit all Americans,” Trump said on Truth Social, clearly identifying his intentions and leaving no room or consideration for anyone else’s. 

This dangerous rhetoric is not just teaching America what to believe but rather teaching what they are forbidden to question as well. You can believe what I believe, and what I believe only. For teaching their students critical thinking. This is our leader’s example.

This same critical thinking could be applied to that very government’s recent shutdown. The stalemate began during an attempt to pass a bill regarding the fiscal budget for 2026 in Congress. 

Republicans want cut to Medicaid; Democrats want increased funding and amendments to health care subsidies. The two could not reach an agreement, and 700,000 Americans had to work without pay. 

Neither side was willing to budge, so the government continued to stay shut down until it reopened after setting records. 

Donald Trump shared his thoughts on it with Politico, saying, “I don’t worry about that, because people who are smart see what is happening. The Democrats are deranged” – this is our leader’s example.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt recently said on Fox News, “The Democrat Party’s main constituency are made up of Hamas terrorists, illegal aliens, and violent criminals.” 

Yet, the Republican Party and the United States of America are led by a 34 times over convicted felon, twice impeached president, accused of discrimination across almost every race, ethnicity, religion, and gender multiple times throughout his life, and in a public and demeaning manner. This is our leader’s example, and it is showing.

A group chat with members of the New York State Young Republicans committee was posted to social media and has caused an uproar. 

“I’m going to create some of the greatest physiological torture methods known to man,” said Peter Guinta, chair of the New York State Young Republicans. “We only want true believers.” 

Joe Maligno, the state-led organization’s general counsel, responded “Can we fix the showers? Gas chambers don’t fit the Hitler aesthetic.” 

Anne Kaykaty, a national member of the now-unanimously disbanded committee, said, “I’m ready to watch people burn now.” 

These are our future leaders’ examples, but these are just jokes, right? 

A leader leads by example. A leader empowers their people. A leader unifies their people, not polarizes and victimizes their citizens. A leader does not desecrate democracy at its core. A leader is not who is sitting in the Oval Office right now.

Share