A Surviving Facts Blog
What the heck has happened to Marjorie Taylor Greene? Seriously. When did the scales fall from her eyes? And how? What did it? What specifically?
Here’s my theory. Supporting Trump has been similar to being in an abusive relationship. Battered women’s syndrome occurs when a woman has been in a violent relationship with an intimate partner for so long that she becomes complacent and accepting of, even excusing and validating, the abuse. The violent partner repeatedly attacks the woman physically, sexually, verbally and emotionally, weakening her self-esteem, boundaries and wellbeing. The cycle continues over and over causing psychological trauma that weakens a woman’s resolve to seek help.
One day, however, some women find their way out of the syndrome’s trap. When they do, an entirely new reality emerges. This is what’s happening with MTG and Trump— and many of his other followers who are waking up. Of course, no intimate relationship with Trump exists; however, the level of loyalty and adulation Trump demands is pathologically narrow and obsessive. Trump belittles, lies, projects, deflects and threatens— all traits of the master domestic abuser.
Watching a truly malignant narcissist operate so openly is horrifying— and totally sickening. Trump’s only reference point is himself. His only need is assuaging his fragile ego. But we know all this. He’s never hidden who he is. For some, however, this is new knowledge. His boasting and bluster, once charming and funny, are now threatening. His smash and grab power and fearlessness to speak the thoughts others hide are now terrifying. His woo of supporters to create his clan of chosen ones is now Jonestown. Now his machinations to groom victims clearly aligns with the false prophet’s process: seduce with flattery, represent safety and comfort, strike when the belief is strongest, then gaslight and destroy.
Fifty-three percent of white women voted for Trump in 2024, consistent with the percentages who voted for him in 2016. As difficult as this is for me to understand, I see the internalized caucasian misogyny that led to it. White women have viewed Trump as a husband— a protector, provider and keeper in line with their unconscious acceptance of the American patriarchal balance of power. The basis for these beliefs is patriarchal religions, which have taken creation away from women and imbued male gods (God the father) with the ability to birth all things. Trump, the symbolic father of the country, had convinced many white women, including MTG, of his ability to create and bestow. Trump husbanded their fatherland just as the man as head of the household commands his wife.
But now… Women like MTG, have shifted, pulling themselves from the complacency that had skewed their vision. They see Trump for the abusive husband he is. Even MTG recently said about Trump calling her a traitor, after I’d written this blog (and I’m sure she hasn’t seen this), “I refuse to be ‘a battered wife’ hoping it all goes away and gets better.” She knows he cannot maintain fidelity because he is seduced by his own ego. He cannot tell the truth because he does not know it. He giveth and he taketh away because he can. He is the abuser who lifts his hand or raises his voice for the unfettered self-absorbed pleasure of complete control. Women like MTG who voted for Trump were encapsulated in the false security of Trump’s patriarchal violence. The complacency over his abuse of women and others, just like with the battered women’s syndrome, had been a psychological, financial and social trade off for guardianship. As the feminine receptor of his misogyny, Trump’s female supporters embraced his charade.
MTG, with her rejection of the entire patriarchal system under which she has operated, is now unsafe, and she knows it. It’s one reason she’s stepping down, though more cynical views believe she got what she came to Congress for: a pension and wealth from inside trading. She’s now receiving the death threats, verbal abuse and scare tactics Trump has encouraged as fascist-style enforcement. She’s exposed to the extremism she once embraced. She sees it for what it is: masculinity run amok like untreatable cancer cells. Just like witnessing war atrocities, you cannot unsee it. You cannot deny what you now know. And that’s where MTG is now. She knows what he is. She sees it.
Does this mean all her vile words are excused with no consequences? Does this erase the past? No. We are all accountable for what we speak and their effect. Greene will either need to reckon with her participation in the sibs of the Trump the father or attempt to escape and sidestep— which is what she could be doing now.
We all knew eventually, the inconsistencies and abuses would add up. The gap between Trump’s words and actions had become more magnified. His behavior has become more unhinged; his once supposedly “funny” (to some) rants now the ravings of a sociopath who murders the truth to achieve his own goals.
To the white women adjusting their vision to the truth, your journey won’t be easy. Waking up can be unbearably painful. One betrayal after another adds up, flicking through the mind like flashbacks. But MTG is showing you what to do. Don’t redon the patriarchy’s spectacles. See what you see and call it for what it is: a perverse and greedy male-driven system which must be dismantled for society to move forward, for fairness, kindness, science and common sense to rebuild our brokenness. Speak out. Resist. Demand. Question. Be the nasty woman. Nasty women— and MTG has somehow become one and come to lead the cause— will win.
I would love to hear from you, even if, especially if, you disagree. Perhaps we can bring back the American tradition of debate. Please like and share this blog with others. Subscribe to receive it by email and go directly to the Walk the Moon website (www.walk-the-moon.com) to peruse the full collection of articles and updates. You can email me from the Walk the Moon website as well.
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