"I Never Looked Back": Republicans Are Revealing The "Breaking Point" Moments That Made Them Stop Supporting Trump

Recently, we featured Rihanna Teixeira (@thediaryofrihanna), a 38-year-old ex-Evangelical woman who went viral for sharing how she deconstructed her racist and sexist beliefs and eventually stopped supporting Trump, despite voting for him in 2016.

Article headline: "People Are Thanking This Ex-Trump Supporter For Sharing How She Deconstructed Her Racist Beliefs"

Since opening up about her "deconstruction," as she called it, thousands thanked her for sharing her story, and many others shared their own experiences deconstructing their beliefs, too.

Social media comments about an individual being praised for their vulnerability and personal growth, with replies sharing personal experiences and support
@thediaryofrihanna / Via tiktok.com

As others pointed out, it's not often we hear about people taking accountability for their racist, sexist, or dangerous belief systems. And with a country that feels so divided and often fueled by anger and hate, it sometimes feels like there's no hope of changing people's perspectives.

One person comment:ed "I have wondered if people were having this experience. I wish more would speak about it"
@thediaryofrihanna / Via tiktok.com

However, because so many people in Rihanna's comments shared they had their own "deconstruction" experiences, I was curious to know about them. So, I asked members of the BuzzFeed Community who previously voted for Trump but won't in 2024 what their "last straw" was that made them shift their perspective or even deconstruct their belief systems.

Here's everything they shared:

1."Without a doubt, January 6. To see someone who could so blatantly deny the will of the people was beyond morally corrupt. He's only gotten worse from there. Making sure to get Roe v. Wade overturned, all his corrupt dealings, all the insane stories and lies, Epstein. He turned my husband, who was a 2x Trump voter, away from him too."

Donald Trump, Melania Trump, Jeffrey Epstein, and Ghislaine Maxwell pose together at a formal event. Donald wears a suit, while Melania and Ghislaine wear dresses
Davidoff Studios Photography / Getty Images

2."I was raised in a very conservative household by boomer parents who have certain cable news programs running 24/7. The first election, I was in high school and very ignorant of many realities real people face. As I went through college and gained an education in academia and reality, I slowly pulled away from that mindset. My absolute final straw was the insurrection; admittedly, I voted for the guy in 2020, but understood that the loss should be taken with grace."

People with flags and banners gather at the U.S. Capitol, which stands in the background

3."January 6 was the final straw for me. Not admitting his loss was bad enough, but insurrection is the worst possible thing that he stroked. And imagine, he got away with it. I would say poor suckers who believed him, and now they are in jail suffering. Meanwhile, Trump is free without any consequence. He never lifted a finger to help them."

quizzysealion427

4."When they tear-gassed people in front of the church across from the White House so Trump could have a photo-op holding the Bible."

Donald Trump holds a Bible in front of St. John's Church Parish House; church signage in background displays Sunday Services Online information and clergy names

5."Charlottesville."

A group of people hold tiki torches during a nighttime rally, with one person in the foreground shouting passionately

—Anonymous

Anadolu / Getty Images

6."When he said that immigrants were poisoning the blood of our country. Our daughter-in-law was born to an immigrant family, a wonderful group of caring, loving people. I could never support a candidate who said such horrible things about a member of my family."

Donald Trump speaks at a rally, surrounded by supporters holding American flags and "Live Free or Die" signs

7."I voted for Trump in 2016 because I had always voted Republican. I didn't know much about the guy besides what was on TV. I thought, 'Oh, a businessman, not a politician, is what the country needs,' despite all the drama that was going on, but then again, I was pretty brainwashed to begin with."

"The constant hateful nonsense was too much. After I moved to a MAGA town in 2018, the hypocrisy and lack of empathy hit me like a ton of bricks. Like a bad relationship where red flags are ignored, I finally left the racist school, boyfriend, oil-crazed town, and Republican Party. Never looked back and certainly don't miss any of it."

lazysalt81

8."I'm a physician with a degree in microbiology/immunology and research (actual) experience in vaccine development. I am also a Republican. When COVID started, my mind was absolutely blown by the things Trump and Fox News were saying on a daily basis. My wife (also a physician) and I would look at each other and say, 'A lot of people are going to die because of this.'"

"There are a lot of components to politics that most of us have no idea about, myself included, which makes it easy to believe what we are told. However, I know medicine, immunology, microbiology, etc… I cannot be lied to about that. All of the lies and misinformation made me take a deep look into my own political beliefs and revealed a whole new perspective on Donald Trump. The further I looked, the worse he became. I cannot overstate how disappointed I am with what he and his followers have done to the Republican Party."

—Anonymous

9."When he was found liable of sexually assaulting E. Jean Carroll by jury. And then when he continued to debase her, and he still does. After all the accusations against him over all the years by women and his own admission caught on tape where he said, 'When you're a star, they let you do it. You can do anything. ... Grab 'em by the pussy. You can do anything.'"

E. Jean Carroll smiling on a city street, wearing sunglasses and a brown coat; supporters in the background hold a "WE BELIEVE JEAN CARROLL" sign

"It is hard not to believe this didn't happen to her and others. So many women have come forward. I could never vote for him again."

—Anonymous

Ed Jones / AFP via Getty Images

10."It started with him suggesting injecting disinfectants for coronavirus; it ended with him siding an insurrection, a coup if you will, on January 6, 2021…"

"You can go on and on with this man. He's a sexual abuser; he ran with Jeffrey Epstein, [argued about immigrants] eating the cats and dogs, [enabled] white supremacists... but the attempted coup on January 6, 2021, was the final straw."

cornyraptor408

11."I reluctantly voted for him in 2016 as I had been a lifelong Republican. I didn't like him then, but I couldn't justify supporting Clinton (I still don't care for her). During most of his term, I still didn't care for or agree with everything he did, but I still gave him the benefit of the doubt and defended some things. But then COVID happened. I work in healthcare, and seeing him and his followers (including my parents and siblings, who had always been rational and levelheaded until that point) become conspiracy theorists and seeing my fellow Christians not care about the safety of others pushed me over the line. I voted for Biden in 2020 and am all in for Harris. I don't think I can ever vote for a Republican again."

disgruntledpelican68

12."When Trump shoved the Montenegro Prime Minister at a NATO meeting and then stood there like he owned the world. Never been so embarrassed to be an American citizen."

—creativemug48

13."I liked him at first. I voted for him the first time. But then, when it came time for the next election, he seemed more worried about winning than he did about his actual job as president. Then he threw the temper tantrum when he lost, and I listened to his speech on January 6. That was his fault. He needs to own up to it."

"At that point, all I could see was an overgrown child, a narcissistic man who let his ego overtake his reason. Now, when I see his speeches, I see a sad little man who thinks he is God's gift to America."

abourque

14."When all of his 'best people' started resigning. Everything I saw in the day-to-day chaos was confirmed by his upper-level advisors, who left his administration because they refused to be part of the lunacy that he brings."

—Anonymous

15."I initially supported Trump as an outsider to the political scene. While I still agree with some of his policies, there's absolutely no place for racism or misogyny as a leader. When Trump failed to completely and unequivocally condemn all actions of white supremacists, specifically the Proud Boys, in the 2020 debate, this was the moment I knew Trump couldn't unite this country moving forward."

Donald Trump speaking passionately at a podium during a debate. He is wearing a dark suit, white shirt, and striped tie

—Anonymous

Win McNamee / Getty Images

16."Never giving a straight answer in a debate is the main one. The AI-generated memorabilia is another."

thesettledpirate

17."I didn't actually end up voting for him, but when he first started his candidacy, I would say I was (quite naively) pro-Trump. Then, he started calling Elizabeth Warren Pocahontas. As a Native American, this is unacceptable and racist behavior. I think Elizabeth Warren was in the wrong for her statements about being Cherokee, but regardless, Trump's behavior was horrific, and his pattern of name-calling continued. Don't even get me started on how misunderstood the story of Matoaka (Pocahontas) really is."

Donald Trump speaking at a rally in Cincinnati, Ohio, with supporters behind him wearing Trump-themed attire

—Anonymous

Fox / Via youtube.com

18."I am a nurse from Milwaukee, WI, previously an undecided voter. After watching the presidential debate and talking with my sister-in-law, a staunch supporter of Harris, I am officially voting Democrat for the first time. I voted for Trump before, but after that presidential debate, I would question my patients' mental status if they talked to me like that."

"He was just appalling, while she was the definition of poise and grace. I don't agree with her on everything, but there is no way I'm voting for Trump again in this election. As a woman, my autonomy and rights are too important for me to stand by and watch this delusional billionaire run our country."

—Anonymous

19."When he reportedly said the servicemen on D-Day were suckers and losers. Plus, saying he liked 'people who weren't captured,' referring to prisoners of war."

Donald Trump speaking animatedly, seated, wearing a dark suit with a striped tie. C-SPAN logo visible at the bottom right

—Anonymous

C-SPAN / Via youtube.com

20."When he mocked the reporter with a disability."

—Anonymous

21."I was a very conservative Republican who had voted Republican since 1978. I'm ashamed to say that it took me three months into Trump's presidency to turn my back on the Republican party. Every day he was president, I woke up with dread, wondering what stupid, hateful, racist, ignorant tweet he made during the middle of the night. After George Floyd was murdered, I registered as a Democrat. l did a lot of soul-searching into my beliefs, words, and actions. I've lost a daughter and friends to MAGA and QAnon."

Protesters hold signs on a rooftop under billboards. One billboard has George Floyd's face; the other reads "ALL MOTHERS WERE SUMMONED WHEN GEORGE FLOYD CALLED OUT FOR HIS MOMMA"

—Anonymous

Kerem Yucel / AFP via Getty Images

And lastly:

22."I voted for Trump in 2016 as part of the Evangelical community and those hoping for an outsider businessman who promised to do many things that seemed to promote traditional Republican conservatism, like less government, lower taxes, etc. But it was still a real struggle at the ballot box. I recall it was almost like flipping a coin after a short prayer right there in the voting booth. One of the rationalizations I used in voting for him was that the checks and balances of our government branches would provide guardrails and prevent him from running amuck. OMG, was I wrong and way too idealistic, if not naive."

A man in a checkered shirt stands thoughtfully at a voting booth with an American flag and the word "VOTE" on it. Another person is partially visible behind him

Now, I turn it back over to you, but with a bit of a different question – if you previously held racist, homophobic, or sexist beliefs, what changed? What "breaking point" moment changed your perspective, and how did you deconstruct your harmful beliefs? Let me know in the comments or by using this anonymous form.

Note: Some responses have been edited for length and/or clarity.