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April 25, 2026

Trump fan Caitlyn Jenner learns elections have consequences | Arwa Mahdawi

In her article, Arwa Mahdawi discusses Caitlyn Jenner's realization that her support for Donald Trump does not exempt her from the negative consequences of his anti-trans policies, particularly when her passport was issued with a male gender marker despite her being transgender. Jenner expresses frustration over this issue, acknowledging that it affects her ability to travel internationally, yet she continues to express loyalty to Trump. Mahdawi concludes that Jenner's cognitive dissonance highlights a broader theme among Trump supporters who believe they will be immune to the harm caused by his policies. Ultimately, the piece critiques the disconnect between political support and personal impact, suggesting that Jenner may need to reconsider her allegiance to Trump.

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Stoic Response

Justice & RightsPolitics & GovernanceCulture & Identity

Stoic Field Manual Entry: Reflection on Personal Agency and Political Allegiance


What Is Within Our Power

  • Understanding Personal Agency: Recognize that our responses to external events are within our control. Caitlyn Jenner's situation illustrates the importance of acknowledging how political choices can impact personal lives.
  • Choice of Support: We have the power to choose whom we support politically. Jenner's continued loyalty to Trump, despite the negative consequences she faces, highlights the necessity of evaluating our choices critically.

What Is Opinion

  • Cognitive Dissonance: The belief that one can support a leader whose policies contradict their personal interests is a common yet flawed opinion. Jenner's frustration reflects a disconnect between her identity and her political alliances.
  • Expectation of Immunity: The assumption that wealth or status can shield one from negative outcomes of harmful policies is a misguided opinion, as seen in Jenner's experience with her passport.

What Action Virtue Demands

  • Reassess Political Allegiance: Virtue demands that we align our actions with our values and well-being. Jenner may need to reconsider her support for Trump in light of the direct impact his policies have on her life.
  • Embrace Accountability: Acknowledge the consequences of our choices and the broader implications of our support for political figures. This requires a commitment to act in accordance with our true beliefs, rather than convenience or loyalty.

Conclusion

In navigating the complexities of personal identity and political allegiance, we must remain vigilant about our choices and their repercussions. The Stoic approach encourages us to focus on what we can control—our thoughts, actions, and responses—while critically evaluating the beliefs we hold.

Article Rewritten Through Stoic Lens

Reflections on the Nature of Support and Consequences

In examining the situation of Caitlyn Jenner, we find a case that invites us to contemplate the principles of virtue, wisdom, and the nature of our choices. Jenner's recent experience with her passport, which was issued with a male gender marker despite her identity as a transgender woman, serves as a reminder of the broader implications of one's political affiliations.

The Nature of Control

It is essential to recognize what lies within our control and what does not. Jenner's frustration regarding her passport is understandable; however, we must reflect on the choices that led her to support a political figure whose policies are known to be detrimental to the very community she identifies with. The Stoic perspective teaches us to focus on our own actions and decisions rather than lamenting external circumstances.

Cause and Effect

Jenner's realization that her support for Donald Trump does not exempt her from the consequences of his policies illustrates a fundamental truth about the interconnectedness of our choices. The executive orders and policies enacted by Trump have had tangible effects on many individuals, including Jenner herself. This situation prompts us to consider the consequences of aligning oneself with a leader whose actions contradict one's values.

The Pursuit of Virtue

While Jenner expresses loyalty to Trump, it is prudent to examine the virtues of wisdom and justice. One must ask: does her continued support reflect a commitment to these virtues? The Stoic philosopher recognizes that true loyalty should align with principles of justice and the well-being of all, rather than personal allegiance that may lead to self-deception.

The Challenge of Cognitive Dissonance

The cognitive dissonance observed in Jenner's situation is not unique; it reflects a broader phenomenon among supporters of controversial figures. Many believe they can remain unscathed by the repercussions of policies that adversely affect others. This belief is a misunderstanding of the nature of justice and the interconnectedness of society.

Reflection on Allegiance

As we consider whether Jenner will reassess her support for Trump in light of her personal experiences, we must remember that the Stoic path is one of reflection and self-examination. The question is not merely about political loyalty but about the alignment of one's actions with the virtues of courage and temperance.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Jenner's predicament serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of aligning our actions with our values. It is a call to reflect on the nature of our support for leaders and the broader implications of their policies. As Stoics, we must strive for wisdom, justice, and temperance in our choices, recognizing that our actions have consequences that extend beyond our immediate circumstances. Let us seek to understand the nature of our allegiances and the virtues that guide us in our lives.

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Thoughts and prayers for Caitlyn Jenner. It seems that it’s starting to dawn on the Olympian and reality TV star that being a rich, white, Maga supporter doesn’t entirely shield her from Donald Trump’s transphobic policies. What sparked that realization? Was it the millions of dollars spent by the Trump campaign on anti-trans ads during the 2024 election? Was it, perhaps, the fact that one of Trump’s very first acts in his second term, conducted just hours after he took office, was to sign an executive order which stated that government-issued identification documents would be changed to reflect the holder’s “immutable biological classification as either male or female”, defined by a person’s cells at conception – in other words, your passport would reflect the sex you were assigned at birth? No, it seems Jenner, who publicly came out as transgender in 2015, shrugged all that off. Not her problem! But she got a little bit worried when Trump’s actions directly impacted her. Specifically, when she recently renewed her passport and it came back marked “male”, not “female”. Speaking on the conservative Tomi Lahren is Fearless podcast this month, Jenner said she thought it was a mistake and tried to get it corrected. But, no, it came back marked as male again. Just as Trump specified in his executive order. “This is a safety factor. I can’t travel internationally anymore, I can’t use my passport,” Jenner whined to Lahren, who looked like she couldn’t care less. “I’m trying to figure out at this point what to do,” Jenner continued. “I don’t blame President Trump. I love him, but for a lot of people, this is a huge issue.” Apparently, Jenner has been trying to get in contact with the president to get this little snafu sorted but he’s ghosting her. “I haven’t heard from him,” Jenner said. “He’s kind of busy right now. My gender marker is not big on the issue [list].” She added: “I’m not blaming him whatsoever. I love the guy, and I love what he’s doing.” She concluded: “I don’t think this was really thought out, what this means.” Oh, it was thought out, Caitlyn. It was definitely thought out. Trump reneges on a lot of his promises (remember when he promised not to start any new wars?), but he’s kept his word when it comes to his anti-trans policies. None of this should come as any surprise. Particularly as it’s not like Trump hasn’t disappointed Jenner before. In 2017, Jenner told Trump that his decision to revoke federal guidelines specifying that transgender students had the right to use public school restrooms that matched their gender identity was a “disaster”. She still went on to support him in 2024, however. Got to chase those tax breaks. You’ve got to be good at mental gymnastics to be a Trump supporter, but the amount of cognitive dissonance here is alarming. Did Jenner seriously think that she would suffer no blowback for supporting a man who has made his contempt for trans people clear? Perhaps. Jenner isn’t the only person to think that they’ll be magically exempt from Trump’s cruelty. Back in 2019, the New York Times interviewed people in a Florida town that had been hurt by a hurricane and a Trump administration-instigated government shutdown. “I voted for [Trump], and he’s the one who’s doing this,” a woman called Crystal Minton complained. “I thought he was going to do good things. He’s not hurting the people he needs to be hurting.” That quote went viral because it captured the essence of Trumpism. Many people seem to support the president not because they think he’ll help them, but because he has promised to hurt their “enemies”. Now that Jenner is personally hurting, will she change her mind about Trump? We’ll just have to wait and see. In the meantime, keep trying the president’s cellphone, Caitlyn! 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I was a lot younger, and I was an immature 30-year-old.” Brand will be tried in the autumn over allegations of rape and sexual assault made against him by six women, which he denies. Lawmakers mulling over whether Ghislaine Maxwell deserves a pardon Maxwell is the only person currently in prison for her role in Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking operation. And she might not be in prison for long if she has her way: Maxwell has said she wants clemency in exchange for her cooperation with the House Oversight Committee’s Epstein investigation. Committee chair James Comer told Politico on Wednesday that, while he disagreed, “a lot of people” believed it was worth pardoning Maxwell in exchange for her cooperation. What is the burned haystack dating method? The method has gone viral but it’s basically just blocking anyone who doesn’t seem like a match. The week in pawtriarchy A US navy sailor headed to the strait of Hormuz for Trump’s “shoot and kill” mission was medically evacuated after being scratched by a monkey while ashore in Thailand. Even the animal kingdom thinks Trump has gone bananas. Arwa Mahdawi is a Guardian columnist