/r/50501 Mirror

My brother (whom I've hung out with 1:1 once in the last decade but often spend time with in group family settings) messaged me yesterday saying he wanted to join today's protest with me with a sign thanking Trump and Elon.

We've had some heated run ins in the past about religion and politics so I've learned to disengage when he brings these things up in person.

So when he messaged me yesterday claiming that he wanted to join me at the protest I sent him the info, but said I thought it was a bad idea to stand together since it would likely get heated and that there will probably be trump supporters he could join.

Then he got combative. Said I'm intolerant, and implying I'm hypocritical since I've wanted to have conversations and connect with the other side but am unwilling to stand next to my brother. That he just wanted to spend time with me, and protest the clan behavior of both sides by showing we could stand next to each other and protest separate things.

I viewed it as an obvious set up. If I said yes, he'd come and hijack my protest plans by making it about what he wants and sabotaging my protest experience. If I said no, he could claim I'm an intolerant leftist. I called him out on it several times.

The conversation ended with him maintaining his innocent intentions and supreme sadness that I could think he had ulterior motives. I still think he's lying.

Heads up today people, the other side is finally noticing and is looking for ways to undermine it.

Edit to add: We are planning to meet at his house a few hours afterwards for a family Easter egg hunt, so I also didn't want whatever happened between us at the protest to sour the gathering afterwards.

Originally Posted By u/laura34343 At 2025-04-19 10:32:50 AM | Source