Sat May 31 14:30:22 UTC 2025: ## Staying to Fight: Why Leaving America Isn’t the Answer to Trumpism
**[City, State] -** Amidst Donald Trump’s return to the Oval Office, some Americans, particularly artists and academics, have chosen to leave the country in protest. However, in an opinion piece originally published by Al Jazeera, the author argues that this emigration, while understandable, is not the answer to combating Trumpism. Drawing a parallel to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s courageous decision to stay and defend his country against Russian invasion, the article urges enlightened Americans to remain and fight for the values they hold dear.
The author acknowledges the difficult decision of choosing to stay or leave, but emphasizes that Trumpism thrives on opposition retreat. The absence of dissent creates space for extremism to deepen its roots in the American fabric. Leaving can be seen as an admission of defeat, while staying and fighting confirms that America belongs to all its people, not just those who support Trump’s agenda.
The piece argues that declarations from abroad are not a substitute for on-the-ground activism. Scholars, intellectuals, and public figures should return to classrooms, airwaves, and town halls to challenge Trumpism head-on. By joining forces with like-minded collaborators, they can form a formidable buttress against the erosion of democratic norms and the embrace of authoritarianism.
The author concludes by emphasizing that Trumpism is not invincible and fears solidarity that bridges class, race, and background. By returning home, disillusioned Americans can reclaim their rightful place in the fight for a more just and equitable nation.
First Piper 