--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Trump was so different - in a bad way…" description: "\"Trump was so different - in a bad way - that I thought the best thing I could do was to resist him. And that's because he was attacking the institution..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/331/ted-lieu-4499_democracy_trump-was-so-different-in-a-bad-way-that_1377604.jpg" --- # Trump was so different - in a bad way - that I thought the… ![“Trump was so different - in a bad way - that I thought the best thing I could do was to resist him. And that's because he was attacking the institutions of our democracy, from the First Amendment and the free press to the judiciary. He was stifling internal dissent, and then he was making false…” quote by Ted Lieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/331/ted-lieu-4499_democracy_trump-was-so-different-in-a-bad-way-that_1377604.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/331/ted-lieu-4499_democracy_trump-was-so-different-in-a-bad-way-that_1377604.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/331/ted-lieu-4499_democracy_trump-was-so-different-in-a-bad-way-that_1377604.jpg) > “Trump was so different - in a bad way - that I thought the best thing I could do was to resist him. And that's because he was attacking the institutions of our democracy, from the First Amendment and the free press to the judiciary. He was stifling internal dissent, and then he was making false and misleading statements routinely. And to me, that's what takes us down the road to authoritarianism and that's why I decided to start resisting him.” [Ted Lieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-lieu/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker sees a political leader undermining democratic institutions and chooses active opposition to protect democracy. **In simple terms:** Resist leaders who threaten democracy. Key Takeaway Stand up for democratic values. Themes politics democracy activism Mood concerned determined Type political activist When to use this quote - voting - peaceful protest - community organizing - media literacy Key Concepts authoritarianism free speech institutional integrity Questions to Reflect On - How can citizens effectively oppose authoritarian trends? - What safeguards protect democratic institutions? A Different Perspective Resistance can polarize and may lead to backlash if not strategic. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Authoritarianism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/authoritarianism/) [Democracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy/) [Dissent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dissent/) [First amendment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/first-amendment/) [Free press](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/free-press/) [Judiciary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/judiciary/) ## Related quotes > [Israel is a democratic state with an independent judiciary, a free press and a diverse population of many cultures, religions and creeds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-sacks/israel-is-a-democratic-state-with-an-independent-judiciary-a-free/) [Jonathan Sacks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-sacks/) > [The crisis of modern democracy is a profound one. Free elections, a free press and an independent judiciary mean little when the free market…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arundhati-roy/the-crisis-of-modern-democracy-is-a-profound-one-free-elections-a/) [Arundhati Roy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arundhati-roy/) > [And to me, that is the greatest danger, that people start questioning basic facts and start not understanding the importance of democratic institutions such…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-lieu/and-to-me-that-is-the-greatest-danger-that-people-start-questioning/) [Ted Lieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-lieu/) > [ We're different men \[with Donald Trump\], different life experiences. But I've always been struck by our common heritage. His grandfather immigrated to this country… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-pence/we-re-different-men-with-donald-trump-different-life-experiences-but/) [Mike Pence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-pence/) > [ I understood because of his personality. \[Donald Trump\] is different. And for years the presidency has been like a smooth ride and nothing really… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-brown/i-understood-because-of-his-personality-donald-trump-is-different-and/) [Jim Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-brown/) > [Donald Trump and I have very different views on Iranians. I am confident that if he ever visited the country, he'd learn a lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jordan-burroughs/donald-trump-and-i-have-very-different-views-on-iranians-i-am/) [Jordan Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jordan-burroughs/) > [Ronald Reagan believed in America as the shining city on the hill - Morning in America. But Donald Trump has a much different vision…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-sykes/ronald-reagan-believed-in-america-as-the-shining-city-on-the-hill/) [Charlie Sykes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-sykes/) > [Stick on this that Donald Trump as the outsider doesn't know what's going on. That the inside-the-Beltway culture is special and it's so unique…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/stick-on-this-that-donald-trump-as-the-outsider-doesn-t-know-what-s/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [Trump is a different politician. He was a different businessman. His campaign was different. What you saw in his campaign is what you're going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-m-daley/trump-is-a-different-politician-he-was-a-different-businessman-his/) [William M. Daley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-m-daley/) > [With prior Republican nominees for president, I disagreed with them on politics, policies, principles, but I never questioned their fitness to serve. Donald Trump…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/with-prior-republican-nominees-for-president-i-disagreed-with-them-on/) [Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/) > [Mr Trump is a different type of leader not burdened by rigid ideology. He does not think like a politician, nor does he talk…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-scaramucci/mr-trump-is-a-different-type-of-leader-not-burdened-by-rigid-ideology/) [Anthony Scaramucci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-scaramucci/) > [Mitt Romney and John McCain and Donald Trump are very different candidates. This is the disruptive candidate who gets these huge crowds, is building…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kellyanne-conway/mitt-romney-and-john-mccain-and-donald-trump-are-very-different/) [Kellyanne Conway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kellyanne-conway/) > [The thing about Donald Trump, he is a different candidate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kingston/the-thing-about-donald-trump-he-is-a-different-candidate/) [Jack Kingston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kingston/) > [After Trump, it will be a different Republican party... and for American workers, families, and communities, that is fantastic news.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-hilton/after-trump-it-will-be-a-different-republican-party-and-for-american/) [Steve Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-hilton/) > [Donald Trump is a different ball of wax. I've been trying to say for I don't know how many months now that the traditional…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/donald-trump-is-a-different-ball-of-wax-i-ve-been-trying-to-say-for-i/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) ## More by Ted Lieu > [The United States represents hope, freedom and opportunities to those who are born here and to those who are not. Those values are part…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-lieu/the-united-states-represents-hope-freedom-and-opportunities-to-those/) [Ted Lieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-lieu/) > [In a nation as dynamic and diverse as the United States, what makes us great is that our founding principles are rooted in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-lieu/in-a-nation-as-dynamic-and-diverse-as-the-united-states-what-makes-us/) [Ted Lieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-lieu/) > [You cannot have 300-some million Americans - and really, right, the global citizenry be at risk of having their phone conversations intercepted with a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-lieu/you-cannot-have-300-some-million-americans-and-really-right-the/) [Ted Lieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-lieu/) > [What you want in foreign policy is clear, well-defined goals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-lieu/what-you-want-in-foreign-policy-is-clear-well-defined-goals/) [Ted Lieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-lieu/) > [Yes, I am not well-behaved.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-lieu/yes-i-am-not-well-behaved/) [Ted Lieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-lieu/) > [I am a supporter of Medicare for All.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-lieu/i-am-a-supporter-of-medicare-for-all/) [Ted Lieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-lieu/) > [Donald Trump himself actually said during his campaign that he essentially thinks being unpredictable is a good thing. Maybe that's a good thing in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-lieu/donald-trump-himself-actually-said-during-his-campaign-that-he/) [Ted Lieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-lieu/) > [By the time Congress is even authorized to act after the President has launched nuclear weapons, there may no longer be a civilized world…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-lieu/by-the-time-congress-is-even-authorized-to-act-after-the-president/) [Ted Lieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-lieu/) > [Indeed, President Trump seems to have a pretty good idea how to enrich oneself at taxpayer expense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-lieu/indeed-president-trump-seems-to-have-a-pretty-good-idea-how-to-enrich/) [Ted Lieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-lieu/) > [We are not and will never be an authoritarian regime.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-lieu/we-are-not-and-will-never-be-an-authoritarian-regime/) [Ted Lieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-lieu/) > [It is important to show up. Showing up at marches and rallies and town halls and protests.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-lieu/it-is-important-to-show-up-showing-up-at-marches-and-rallies-and-town/) [Ted Lieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-lieu/) > [The suspicion that immigrants are not to be trusted or are unpatriotic is not just wrong; it is un-American. And dangerous.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-lieu/the-suspicion-that-immigrants-are-not-to-be-trusted-or-are/) [Ted Lieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-lieu/) > [It is clear to me that creating a pathway for decryption only for good guys is technologically stupid. You just can't do that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-lieu/it-is-clear-to-me-that-creating-a-pathway-for-decryption-only-for/) [Ted Lieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-lieu/) > [When tragedy strikes, feeling helpless is understandable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-lieu/when-tragedy-strikes-feeling-helpless-is-understandable/) [Ted Lieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-lieu/) > [If we turn our back on the world's most vulnerable people, we're eschewing the values our country was founded on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-lieu/if-we-turn-our-back-on-the-world-s-most-vulnerable-people-we-re/) [Ted Lieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-lieu/) [Explore all 110 Ted Lieu quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-lieu/) ## More Authoritarianism quotes > [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [“The mission is, not to replace old world mindlessness with new world mindlessness, but to put an end to all forms of brainless authoritarianism.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/the-mission-is-not-to-replace-old-world-mindlessness-with-new-world/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [Motherland is our property and we have right to handle our properties as pleased. The jokes about death for the sake of the motherland…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/motherland-is-our-property-and-we-have-right-to-handle-our-properties/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [Your best friends are your principles, if you havent them, dont look for another friend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/your-best-friends-are-your-principles-if-you-havent-them-dont-look/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [A strong saying is not afraid of criticism, because it includes all the answers to criticism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/a-strong-saying-is-not-afraid-of-criticism-because-it-includes-all/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [“Therapy requires a collaborative working relationship in which both partners act on the basis of their implicit confidence in the value and efficacy of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-lewis-herman/therapy-requires-a-collaborative-working-relationship-in-which-both/) [Judith Lewis Herman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-lewis-herman/) > [The libertarian can have no truck with 'left' or 'right' because he regrets any form of authoritarianism - the use of police force to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-read/the-libertarian-can-have-no-truck-with-left-or-right-because-he/) [Leonard Read](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-read/) > [A noble person stands up as though a theater curtain rises.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/a-noble-person-stands-up-as-though-a-theater-curtain-rises/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [“Democracy can exist only in the countries where people are brave! Coward nations always live under the authoritarian regimes!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/democracy-can-exist-only-in-the-countries-where-people-are-brave/) [Mehmet Murat ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [“I have been called arrogant myself in my time, and hope to earn the title again, but to claim that I am privy to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-hitchens/i-have-been-called-arrogant-myself-in-my-time-and-hope-to-earn-the/) [Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-hitchens/) > [We have power... Our power isn’t in a political system, or a religious system, or in an economic system, or in a military system;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-trudell/we-have-power-our-power-isn-t-in-a-political-system-or-a-religious/) [John Trudell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-trudell/) > [The practical reason for freedom is that freedom seems to be the only condition under which any kind of substantial moral fiber can be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-j-nock/the-practical-reason-for-freedom-is-that-freedom-seems-to-be-the-only/) [Albert J. Nock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-j-nock/) > [It has been well over half a century and I'm glad to say we have taken the right path from authoritarianism to democracy and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chen-shui-bian/it-has-been-well-over-half-a-century-and-i-m-glad-to-say-we-have/) [Chen Shui-bian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chen-shui-bian/) > [Subconsciously it is possible to act, consciously it is possible to decide and overconsciously to create.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/subconsciously-it-is-possible-to-act-consciously-it-is-possible-to/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [We must nevertheless present all possible interpretations for each observation, so that competing theories can be formulated and defended. In science, as elsewhere, intellectual…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hubert-reeves/we-must-nevertheless-present-all-possible-interpretations-for-each/) Hubert Reeves [Browse all 233 Authoritarianism quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/authoritarianism/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Trump was so different - in a bad way - that I thought the best thing I could do was to resist him. And that's because he was attacking the institutions of our democracy, from the First Amendment and the free press to the judiciary. He was stifling internal dissent, and then he was making false and misleading statements routinely. 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