Stop Hyperventilating

That’s for Democrats to do with each headline

It’s started again! In the Trump Era, one of the most predictable phenomena is MAGA supporters losing their collective minds every time the media hints at Donald Trump compromising on immigration. If there’s one lesson from his first term that should have been learned by now, it’s this: Trump thrives on bluster and negotiation tactics that often get misinterpreted by everyone, even by his own supporters. Looking at MAGA history, time and again, conservatives go into full-on doom mode at the first hint of a potential "sellout," only to see Trump stick to his hard-line policies in the end.

Take a deep breath, do some Tai Chi and let’s look back at some of these episodes. Throughout Trump’s first term, the media took every opportunity to sow division within his base by running stories about him abandoning his promises. This was demoralization 101, just like they did throughout the 2024 campaign. Every single time, a segment of his supporters fell for it, hyperventilating that he was about to betray them.

Remember the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) brouhaha in 2017? When Trump met with Democratic leaders Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi to discuss a potential deal, the media went into overdrive, reporting that Trump was about to grant amnesty to millions of illegal immigrants. There were photos of Trump dining and smiling at Sen. Schumer. No one knew anything. Nothing was directly quoted. Headlines blared that Trump was “betraying his base,” and some conservatives immediately jumped ship, claiming that he had abandoned his campaign promises.

What actually happened? Nothing resembling a sellout. Trump floated a deal that would have granted legal status to DACA recipients but only in exchange for full funding for the border wall, an end to chain migration, and the elimination of the visa lottery system. Predictably, Democrats balked at these conditions, and no deal was reached. Trump stuck to his guns, rejected any one-sided proposals, and allowed DACA to remain in legal limbo.

The lesson MAGA should have learned? Trump’s willingness to discuss immigration compromises wasn’t a sign of weakness but a negotiation tactic aimed at exposing Democratic intransigence. Even in 2024, many voters do not understand that open borders is the default position for Democrats. No one can step out of line on it. The median voter only now might get this. They did not several years ago. Despite this, a segment of his base was quick to cry betrayal without waiting to see how it played out. No one has caught on that Trump vocalizes all possibilities. He said the same about gun control with Sen. Feinstein in the room rubbing her hands and smiling. Nothing happened.

Then there was the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, which began in late 2018 and stretched into early 2019. The media breathlessly reported that Trump was under immense pressure to cave, with countless articles speculating that he would abandon his demand for border wall funding. Pundits declared that Trump was "boxed in" and would have no choice but to capitulate.

What happened? Trump didn’t. The TSA allegedly had a blue flu moment and jammed up a critical node in our transportation system, and the shutdown ended. He refused to back down. When Congress wouldn’t give him the funding he demanded, he declared a national emergency to redirect funds toward the wall. The media was apoplectic, calling the move authoritarian, but Trump’s team manipulated the system to get a policy they wanted moving. He delivered on his promise to prioritize border security, while a portion of his base embarrassed themselves by assuming he would fold. Was it perfect? No. Was it a sell out? Again, no.

In early 2018, Trump proposed a plan to give 1.8 million DACA recipients a path to citizenship. Predictably, the media framed it as a total betrayal of his base. As with the DACA negotiations in 2017, this proposal came with strict conditions. Trump wanted funding for the wall, an end to chain migration, and the elimination of the visa lottery system. Far from being a capitulation, it was part of his negotiator MO. It was a calculated move to force Democrats to either accept a MAGA overhaul of the immigration system or expose themselves as the real obstructionists.

What happened? Democrats rejected the deal outright. Trump’s man, Mr. Miller, then could use all existing laws to squeeze immigration numbers down. We can solve many immigration problems with a change in enforcement, but the problem does remain that legislation is difficult, therefore the faucet can always be turned on again. Still, Trump walked away without a deal but with his immigration agenda intact, while the media and some of his supporters prematurely declared that he was selling out.

We have been through this before. These are just a few examples, but we see a pattern. The media lies. Trump loves to talk. He loves to say things that do not have any commitments attached. He is a Boomer. The media thrives on narratives that pit Trump against his base, and a vocal minority of conservatives keeps falling for it. Every time Trump makes a public statement or holds a meeting that even hints at compromise, the doomers come out of the woodwork, accusing him of betraying his supporters. We saw this with Syrian air strikes and the Solemeini drone strike being a match to light WW3. This knee-jerk reaction not only plays into the media’s hands but also undermines Trump’s ability to maneuver.

Trump is not perfect. Never was, never will be. Like any human, he has his flaws, and his decisions should be criticized. But there’s a difference between healthy skepticism and outright paranoia. The latter only serves to demoralize the MAGA base and give ammunition to the Deep State and Democrats who will be looking for any opportunity to impeach him and score points for the midterms. It’s worth remembering that Trump’s track record on immigration during his first term was one of the most hardline in modern history. From implementing the “Remain in Mexico” policy to ending catch-and-release, building hundreds of miles of border wall, and drastically reducing refugee admissions, Trump consistently prioritized his America First agenda. It’s in the data, and we can compare it to the late Obama era and Biden term. Was it perfect? God no. Was it superior to anything in our lifetime? Yes.

If you really believe your statements about ye olde lying mainstream media, approach media reports about Trump with a healthy dose of skepticism. He has shown that he understands the importance of immigration to his base and is willing to endure massive political backlash to stick to his principles. Keep the heat on Trump and his team as beautifully demonstrated over Christmas with the H1B debate.

Trump’s approach to negotiation often involves floating ideas, testing the waters, and making bold moves to force the other side’s hand. He does it campaigning and governing. Instead of panicking at every media report, trust the track record. Trump has proven that he knows how to swim in these waters and that his instincts on immigration align with the priorities of his base.

The next time the media screams that Trump is about to betray his supporters, take a moment to breathe. Remember DACA, the government shutdown, and the pathway to citizenship panic. Trust his track record, not the media’s ops. Do keep the Trump team’s feet to the fire. Most importantly, stop giving the doomers free rein to demoralize the movement.