Biden Asked How People Can Talk To Their ‘MAGA’ Family Member/Co-Worker About ‘American Values’

ProPublica reporter and veteran White House correspondent John Harwood asked President Joe Biden for tips on how Americans can talk to family or friends who support ex-President Donald Trump and counsel them about “American values” like democracy.

Harwood sat down with the president for a lengthy interview for ProPublica that was published Sunday and which covered a variety of topics. But the subject of democracy — about which the president had just given a speech — was a frequent topic.

In one part of that speech, Biden told the crowd, “the answer to the threats we face is engagement. It’s not to sit in the sidelines; it’s to build coalitions and community, to remind ourselves there is a clear majority of us who believe in our democracy and are ready to protect it.”

Harwood picked up on that theme, and asked the president to advise people how to talk to “a MAGA parent, neighbor, coworker” if they’re wary about such a “difficult” conversation:

JOHN HARWOOD: You said in your speech yesterday you want average Americans who share your concerns to engage, to stand up for American values. How would you advise those people who do share your concerns but may be wary about talking to a MAGA parent, neighbor, coworker? How would you advise them to do that?

PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: Vote. Vote. Look, I was saying to my staff. I never thought I’d see a time when someone was worried about being on a jury because there may be physical violence against them if they voted the wrong way. I never thought I’d. I never thought that would happen. It’s like a maybe a mobster case. I. I mean, think about that.

JOHN HARWOOD: But a lot of average people think those are really difficult conversations to have with people and will be reluctant to.

PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: Well, they are. And I think if you don’t want to engage, you just act. You just do what you think is right. And part of that is just showing up, showing up. But I also think that we should be engaging people more and and not not be worried about our neighbor. Talk to them, sit down and say, what do you think? Well, and not get in arguments, but say, this is what, you say this. But how about this? Force people to get in a two way conversation. But it’s hard John. But the biggest thing is, look, I really do believe that the vast majority of the American people are decent, honorable, straight forward. I mean, I think it’s a minority minority. And I think they have to, though, understand, one, what danger is if they don’t participate? And two: show up. Show up. Show up.

Watch above via ProPublica.