One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This

In this chapter, El Akkad examines the concept of “lesser evils” in American politics through his experiences at political events, observations about partisan divisions, and reflections on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He connects these elements to explore how moral compromises become justified in political discourse.

El Akkad describes his visit to the Reagan Presidential Library in 2015 to observe a Republican presidential debate, noting the contrast between the dignified setting and the political spectacle inside. During the main debate, Republican candidates portrayed America as simultaneously great and dangerous, with Trump standing apart through his willingness to embrace baseness and crudeness. After the debate, Republican National Committee chair Reince Priebus attempted to reassure reporters that Trump’s momentum would fade, yet party insiders who privately despised Trump would soon pledge loyalty to him. El Akkad challenges the narrative that Trump’s popularity stemmed primarily from economic anxiety, suggesting instead that his appeal lay in his willingness to inflict suffering on those perceived as different, reflecting deeper political and social divisions in America.

El Akkad recounts the devastating wildfires that hit Oregon in 2020, shortly after his son’s birth, describing the towns that were destroyed and the lingering evidence of destruction years later, including a burned pickup truck with a Trump flag still attached—an image symbolizing the political landscape of Oregon and many states with liberal urban centers surrounded by conservative rural areas.