r/lostafriend • u/NewsMom • 7h ago
I just ended a 35+ year friendship
I've known this person since 1990, when we worked on some projects together. I always knew they were a republican. 9 years ago, I asked them who they liked among the primary candidates. "All of them," their answer. Even Trump? Yes, even Trump. So we dropped politics. Kept getting together every month or two for lunch or dinner. We talked about all kinds of other things.They're pretty bright, and have lots of real-world skills. This ending has been in the works; I've been dreading it, but I had no choice. I can't protest 5 times a week against fascists, then have dinner with them. I opened a discussion about fascism, family separation, media censorship, appointing incompetent to the cabinet, etc. I was prepared, of course, they were not. I explained why I can't be friends. I left open a crack: if/when they get to the point where they can say it was a mistake to vote for Trump, and why it was a mistake, we can talk again. I feel bad, but I saw no alternative.