‘White Lotus’ Acknowledges Perspectives of Trump Voters Like Me

Donald Trump won the support of millions of churchgoers who embrace traditional values, yet challenge the stereotypes that progressives attempt to impose on them.

President Donald Trump is shifting the cultural landscape so significantly that even HBO’s popular series “The White Lotus” has addressed it in a recent episode.

In one scene from the latest season, three friends dine at a stunning yet unsettling resort in Thailand. One character, Kate, hails from Austin, Texas, while her friends are New Yorkers and Los Angeles residents. Assuming Kate is a Democrat, they question her about being around “Bible thumpers” from Texas who voted for Trump. (As a Texan, I found this amusing.)

The friends are taken aback to learn that Kate and her husband attend church weekly with thoughtful individuals who have “wonderful families.” They are even more astonished to discover that Kate identifies as an “independent,” while her husband leans Republican.

The biggest surprise for her friends: Kate alludes to having voted for Trump last year, just like 77 million other Americans.

The humorous yet respectful scene concludes with Kate questioning, “Are we really going to discuss Trump tonight?”

Fans of the show passionately debated this scene across social media, as it resonated deeply. Many viewers have found themselves engaged in similar discussions since the election.

This moment underscores a shift in our national conversation, with the media and entertainment industry begrudgingly acknowledging that conservatives are real and not the ignorant caricatures they often depict.

Trump’s reelection was fueled by voters like me

Trump’s reelection was bolstered by millions of everyday individuals like the fictional Kate and her husband. They are churchgoers who largely adhere to traditional values but do not conform to the stereotypes that progressives like Kate’s friends try to attach to them.

Later in the episode, Kate overhears her elitist friends ridiculing her choice to vote for a candidate who captured 31 states and the popular vote in the previous November.

In reality, Democrats are not amused; they are furious over Trump, Vice President JD Vance, budget advisor Elon Musk, and the rapid transformations they are bringing about in the federal landscape, at the southern border, and in the cultural and political climate.

Opinion: Democrats are fuming against the Trump regime. Will they ever learn?

Extremist Democrats have now become the outliers, not individuals like Kate and her husband. Progressives struggle to reconnect with the broader American populace.

A troubling poll released recently by progressive-focused Navigator Research revealed that Democrats face a significant branding issue. In 62 competitive House districts, more voters expressed confidence in Republicans over Democrats regarding economic management. A majority also believed that “Democrats in Congress care more about helping others than about people like me.”

Axios reported that Democrats in Congress are facing considerable pressure from their base to oppose Trump, yet the party is grappling with how to counteract the conservative coalition he has built.

However, the more progressives express their outrage, the more desperate they come across.

Did you seriously vote for this?

In “The White Lotus,” a recurring question posed by progressives is, “Did you actually vote for this?“

The unequivocal answer is yes — we did vote for this, and we would do so again.

Opinion: Trump should dissolve the Education Department. Get bureaucrats out of our classrooms.

Democrats are lamenting about Musk and the proposed spending cuts by the Department of Government Efficiency. However, a late February CBS News/YouGov poll indicated that a majority of Americans back DOGE. According to the results, 54% believe DOGE should significantly influence “the spending and operations of U.S. government agencies,” while only 30% feel it should have “none.”

There are more conservatives than the left recognizes, and we aren’t “weird.” We vacation, enjoy wine, and cherish time with friends. We also participate in church, nurture families, and uphold conservative beliefs. Our love for our nation drives us to seek improvements for the sake of future generations.

Kate’s friends seem to think she is the one who is disconnected due to her faith and political views. Yet, in deriding a strong woman for exercising her right to vote as she chose, it is her friends — and the actual progressives they symbolize — who are genuinely out of touch with millions of Americans.

Nicole Russell is a columnist at USA TODAY and a mother of four residing in Texas. Contact her at [email protected] and follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @russell_nm. Sign up for her weekly newsletter, The Right Track, here.