A NY Times columnist urges liberals to cease stereotyping and demeaning Trump supporters.

In a new column, New York Times opinion columnist Nicholas Kristof encouraged liberals to show compassion towards former President Trump's supporters.

Since 2016, Democratic voters have been known to demonize Trump voters, but the author advised them to stop doing so in order to build bridges with their political opposition. Kristof also pointed out that demeaning these voters is unbecoming of educated liberals, especially since many of Trump's supporters are disadvantaged, working-class Americans.

In his Saturday piece, he wrote that it is morally offensive, particularly when well-educated and successful elites disregard disadvantaged, working-class Americans who have been left behind economically and socially and are dying young.

Bill Clinton advised Democrats to respect their political opponents in red states, rather than demeaning them, in a speech at the Democratic National Convention.

Trump supporters should be shown empathy instead of being insulted, according to Kristof.

"While it's acceptable to criticize Trump, avoid generalizing and disparaging the nearly half of Americans who support him," he stated.

The columnist described his Trump-supporting friends as not having irrational decisions to back the former president.

In a rural area, many of my old friends are Trump supporters, including a good and generous woman who feels betrayed by the political establishments and has a valid point.

He elaborated on her rationale for her decision. "After factories shut down and good union jobs disappeared from the area, she became homeless and addicted. Four members of her extended family took their own lives, and she once contemplated suicide herself. Therefore, when a demagogue like Trump addressed her suffering and vowed to revive factories, it's no surprise that her heart leaps."

He observed that liberals' hostility only strengthens her resolve to remain in Trump's camp when she hears them mock her faith, which was an evangelical church that helped her overcome homelessness, or call her "deplorable."

He described a woman who cuts his hair, stating that she is not necessarily a Trump supporter but is facing economic struggles. He said that she is not interested in politics and did not watch the Democratic convention. She expressed her distrust of Trump and viewed him as a bully. However, she is also frustrated with Democrats because food prices are too high.

Instead of criticizing her for her political beliefs, Democrats should assist her and help her achieve a Democratic victory.

Feeling betrayed is a right for working-class Americans, as we have been betrayed by our government's response to the Sept. 11 attacks. Despite the loss of nearly 3,000 lives, we started two wars and spent trillions of dollars on the response. Yet, we lose as many Americans every three or four days to drugs, alcohol, and suicide as we did in the Sept. 11 attacks, and our national response has been inadequate.

The social fabric in many blue-collar communities has deteriorated, causing people to feel angry and disillusioned.

In recent decades, Democratic voters have perceived a "whiff of condescension" towards working-class voters, particularly those of faith, from the Democratic Party.

The columnist revealed the origin of his article: "I had no intention of writing this column, but after approvingly tweeting Clinton's statement about not demeaning those we disagree with, many readers responded angrily: 'But they deserve to be demeaned!'"

Kristof cautioned at the end of the column, "Hurling invective may be satisfying, but using terms like 'Nazis' might not sway undecided voters any more than when Trump supporters use 'libtards' or the 'Biden crime family'."

To win elections and maintain civility, it is crucial to remember that the most effective way to persuade others is by first understanding their perspective.