To say there's a political divide in the United States in 2025 is an understatement. And the two major factions probably haven't been this divided since the Civil War.
After Trump 2.0 took office in January, the schadenfreude has also been strong. Like, how's the price of eggs doing?
More than a few progressives are enjoying their MAGA counterparts realising they're not exempt from the platform they voted for as their spouses get deported, they lose their government job or federal subsidy thanks to Elon Musk's DOGE, and discover tariffs are paid by consumers, not the country importing goods.
There's even a song to capture the feeling of the moment:
The memes abound as well.
It's undeniably petty.
But is petty wrong?
A woman who couldn't suppress her reaction to a MAGA minion neighbor's economic downturn turned to the "Am I The A**Hole" (AITAH) subReddit for feedback.
Similar to AITA, the AITAH subReddit allows posters to ask for advice and post about ending romantic relationships. However there are no official voting acronyms and no final judgment given.
Affectionate_Art3835 asked:
"AITAH for laughing at my MAGA extremist neighbor for getting evicted?"
The original poster (OP) explained:
"I (25, female) live in California. I am Mexican and rent an apartment. I don't have a problem with people of opposing views, if they are open minded and willing to converse peacefully, then there is no issue on my end."
"I do not however, like the extremist MAGAts that have terrorized our country."
"With that being said, I have a neighbor an old White dude who has Trump plastered all over his patio, garage and jeep. Which is fine, like, pop off queen, we love a fan girly!"
"But aside from that, he's also said some stupid comments about me being Mexican, very passive and trying to be funny. But I just walked away cause I don't want to let a wrinkled racist prick bring me out of character."
"And he gives dirty looks when I am coming in or out of my apartment. So I clearly know why he voted for Trump."
"I know people have bad days, but I'm putting two and two together—dirty looks at a Mexican woman and MAGA posters and flags everywhere. He clearly is on the hateful side of politics."
"The other day I overheard him talking to one of the neighbors while I was throwing out my trash, saying he got evicted because the rent was too high and he can't afford it anymore. His words as he was packing his U-Haul."
"I just laughed!"
"Of course, they started to stare, but I just walked away. Because the IRONY of voting for a man who wants to cut/enforce all sorts of acts/bills/regulations that are gonna be costly for most Americans and he is getting evicted!"
"Like, c'mon. I told my boyfriend about this and he said it's messed up to laugh at him for getting evicted, but I don't care."
"I told him he supports a fraud, grapist, bad body bigot who has no morals. So, NO, I don't feel bad."
The OP later added.
"I laughed because he was packing up his Trump memorabilia while saying he was getting evicted because he can't afford rent. You know, the same president that promised a booming economy, but we're suffering the consequences of his incompetence, still."
"I didn't stop and laugh and point. I just couldn't hold the laughter in as I went about my business."
"I mean, if MAGA supporters are mostly made up of inconsiderate, racist, greedy individuals, then I don't see why there is an issue to dislike them. When they don't care for basic human rights."
"I mean, I was able to walk away from his previous snarky comments and not make it political. If anything, he did by openly displaying his love for Trump and his lack of respect for other races and women."
"He had always said things like, 'making tacos tonight' or 'where are you really from' whenever he saw me."
"I guess just built up frustration after the many microaggressions and being the bigger person in every scenario, it was satisfying to see him get what he was putting out!"
Some Redditors weighed in using the AITA voting acronyms:
- NTA - Not The A**hole
- YTA - You're The A**hole
- NAH - No A**holes Here
- ESH - Everyone Sucks Here
Redditors decided the OP was not the a**hole (NTA) for her spontaneous laughter.
"My youngest sister has a neighbor whose wife was deported roughly two weeks ago. Here's the thing: she's Cuban-American and voted for Trump."
"The husband was a Harris supporter through and through. That woman literally voted to have herself deported. The husband claims she's a recently naturalized citizen, but with no due process..." ~ Maleficent_Draft_564
The comments made it clear that there wasn't a lot of sympathy for OP's neighbor.
"I don't understand that mentality here in Florida. My Cuban Venezuelan family also voted for him, citing religion while hiding it was really about hating others."
"My brother is a moron who thinks Trump is a godly man and believes his propaganda. Now if only his toxic girlfriend would get deported, that would be great!"
"I voted for Harris and had to hide it from them. So overall, no, I don't feel sorry for those who get what they voted for in the slightest." ~ StardustJojo13
"Karma hits different when hate finally costs them—you're not wrong for laughing." ~ IconicAngeel
"Yeah, she shouldn't feel bad about laughing. Every time I see a post from a Trump supporter whining about something bad happening as a result of Trump's new policies, I laugh my f*cking a** off and tell them they're getting EXACTLY what they voted for."
"Let's face it, Trump is enacting so much of the Republican manifesto 'Project 2025', they should have known EXACTLY what was going to happen when they voted for him!"
"They're whining about school funding cuts, but federal spending was one of the things he said he'd cut education before he got elected, but they were too stupid to listen." ~ Wynonna_DH
"It makes no sense. That's like my family. I'm Mexican & Filipino. My uncles voted for Trump."
"I'm like really‽‽ You're first generation American. Your parents/my grandparents came to America via Bracero program and stayed here illegally until they finally applied for citizenship in the 70s." ~ lilyevi
"NTA. Hateful people like that get a hoot and holler from decent people going though terrible circumstances, so turnabout is fair play." ~ Hopeful-Card-2931
"I hope it was because he was a federal worker and he got DOGEd." ~ GroovyYaYa
"The funniest karma I've seen thus far? The Department of Defense banned some books for schools around the world for military dependents. The list includes Hillbilly Elegy written by JD Vance."
"I guess what I'm trying to say, just like the word list that targeted achievements for BIPOC and female service members on all Department of Defense sites and pulled them down, the book ban was the same."
"I'm not quite sure which word got Vance's book banned. I know that John F Kennedy's book A Nation of Immigrants is not allowed anymore either."
"I guess it wasn't possible for all races and creeds to have contributed to the flourishing of America. Again, White and Caucasian only." ~ OG-Lostphotos
"NTA. You should have said, 'Trump did that' and walked back inside." ~ AvaLLove
"Honestly, I get it. When someone disrespects you for who you are, it's hard to feel sympathy when karma comes around." ~ Wooden-Analyst8910
"Every single person who voted for Trump is on the hateful side of politics. You can't vote for a racist bigot and claim that you don't support racist bigotry." ~ sonicboomslang
"He should have just pulled himself up by his boot straps." ~ Fe_block
"My wife's cousin was in the US illegally (Peruvian) for almost 20 years. He finally got his legal permanent residency at the end of the Obama administration, then his citizenship during the Biden administration."
"He then voted for Trump, specifically to keep illegal immigrants out. Now that he has his citizenship, he thinks everyone else has to do everything legally."
"He went back to Peru in March to visit. He headed back in early April. He had a long layover in Panama on his way back. He left the airport to get a meal and walk around."
"When he came back to check in for his flight, he was told that his US passport was not valid. He had to turn around and go back to Peru. He has been dealing with the embassy trying to get back ever since, but they aren't making an honest effort to help him."
"He's in total denial about what's happening. He says that it must be something Biden messed up before he left office." ~ Substantial-End-9653
"NTA. There was a time I would have agreed with your boyfriend, but honestly, the Trumplicans have no compassion for people that don't look and act just like them. They wouldn't hesitate to laugh at someone in a minority group being down on their luck, I mean that's half of Trump's damn platform."
"I have ALWAYS tried to lead with kindness, but now I reserve that kindness for those who would show that same kindness to others."
"I hope those fools get every last thing they voted for, and I won't have any sympathy or be offering any aid to any of them either. Let them burn in the fire they stoked." ~ TwoGuysNamedNick
"Hell no, laugh more. And you should congratulate him because he got what he voted for." ~ shiruduck
It seems people found no fault with OP's laughter.
Maybe she can show the post to her boyfriend.
Woman Breaks Up With Boyfriend Who Worried People Would Think She Was Trans For Using Stand-To-Pee Device
Content Warning: Transphobia, Transphobic Comments
There are countless different reasons that a relationship might end, and a red flag could arise at any time. Some of these might have been learned in childhood and could improve over time.
Transphobia is absolutely a red flag that should be acted on immediately; however, with no option to fly again, pointed out the members of the "Am I the A**hole?" (AITA) subReddit.
Redditor funnelfuss was in the car with her boyfriend when they got stuck in a traffic jam.
She really needed to use the restroom, so since she had a device with her to make the process easier, she decided she'd step out of the car.
But when her boyfriend panicked and thought people might mistake her for a man, the Original Poster (OP) realized that her boyfriend was not who she thought he was.
She asked the sub:
The OP had to use the restroom while stuck in a traffic jam.
"My (26 Female) boyfriend (25 Male) and I got stuck in an insane traffic jam. My boyfriend was driving."
"We were at a standstill. Found out later on, they had closed the highway."
"I had to pee really bad, like bad bad bad. I saw that a couple guys had run to the side of the road to pee, and I decided to do the same."
"It was super open, with a few bushes by the side of the road, really not much cover."
The OP's boyfriend became uncomfortable when he realized she had a pee-to-stand device.
"I have a stand-to-pee device in my car, but when I grabbed it, my boyfriend got all weird."
"He said people would see me pee standing up and think I was Trans."
"I said no one would think that, plenty of women have pee funnels, and that also I didn't care. I have no beef with Trans people!"
"He said I should squat, just to put his mind at ease."
"I said I didn't want to get my butt and c**ch out on the highway in front of everyone, or get pee on my shoes, and I just wanted to be quick and clean."
"He said he didn't want people to look at the girl he was dating and think she was Trans and that I should squat, like GIRLS do."
The OP decided she was over it.
"I was dying by this point. I couldn't hold it anymore, and I really didn't want to show the world my butt, so I ran to the side of the road and slipped the device into my jeans and just peed standing up with my back to traffic."
"No one could see anything; it just slides through the zipper. But I guess maybe if someone was looking, they would be confused? But also, who's LOOKING?!"
"When I got back to the car, my boyfriend wouldn't talk to me. He says I disrespected his feelings. But it was 100% an emergency, and I don't get what his problem was."
Fellow Redditors weighed in:
Some reassured the OP that there was nothing wrong with using the restroom how she wanted.
"OP, don't think for one more second about this. Your boyfriend is being ridiculous."
"As if you will ever see any of those people again! Plus, holding it in for too long can cause a whole host of issues."
"It's actually genius that you have something like that in your car, just in case. I'm going to order one too now! NTA." - m_alice88
"'Honey, please show all these strangers your c**ch and a** so they know I'm not gay, mmmm'kay?'"
"A weak man, a very weak man." - lefteyedcrow
"You must have a she-wee! Those are so great for women."
"Tell your boyfriend to get over himself. You had to pee. He does not understand that squatting can suck and leave you exposed."
"If he is that upset you did this, rethink this relationship. I would find it hysterical."
"NTA." - Oktodayithink
"NTA, OP. You just needed a makeshift restroom."
"Your boyfriend apparently thought that it was normal for people to stare at strangers who are trying to pee to evaluate who they are, who they're with, and what the status of their relationship is."
"You know, to pass the time while in gridlock traffic." - Pixichixi
"You did nothing wrong, OP! When you have to go, you have to go. It's healthier to go."
"And don't apologize! We're so wired to reduce conflict, even to the point of downplaying how we feel to keep the peace or end the silence. Don't do it."
"It's a him issue. He thinks his feelings on this are more important than your discomfort about showing your naked body on the side of the road. If he can't figure that out for himself and apologize, it would be a dealbreaker for me." - lelawes
Others agreed and pointed out that the ex-boyfriend was very transphobic.
"NTA. Your boyfriend is clearly transphobic. That is 100% on him. And who cares if people think you are Trans?"
"'He said he didn't want people to look at the girl he was dating and think she was Trans.' And you don't want people to think you're dating someone bigoted and hateful." - GreekAmericanDom
"He may not consider himself transphobic ('I don't hate Trans people! I just don't want to be associated with them or have anyone think I'm with a Trans person!'), but he absolutely is, probably with a healthy side helping of homophobia."
"Why would he care, unless a) Trans women are not women in his eyes, or b) it somehow would be emasculating or embarrassing to his ego to be with a Trans woman."
"Also, you're in a traffic jam. Who the f**k is even watching close enough to care, and who of those people matters enough to give two s**ts about what they think."
"Not to mention, he's being weirdly controlling about your behaviors and how they reflect on him in a scenario where arguably he's never going to interact with a single person he's worrying about." - maladicta228
"This post reminds me of the time I got dressed to go to a function. It was a casual gathering. My kid (this was solidly on their father, my ex, as he's gotten insanely bigoted as he's aged) said, 'Mom, you're dressed like a Lesbian.'"
"Me: 'Lesbians have great fashion sense, I'd love to be mistaken for one.'"
"They paused for a second and realized that I truly wasn't dressing for men (despite it being my husband's work function), and that being seen as a lesbian was a good thing. I'm so glad I raised them to think for themselves, and realize that one can be wrong, admit it, and work on being a better person every day. They've never said anything like that since." - baconbitsy
"He's so insecure (and transphobic) that he cares more about what some strangers in a traffic jam might wrongly assume about you (and thereby him) than YOUR needs, comfort, and health."
"He expected you to prioritize his insecurities (feelings) above that and then punished you when you prioritized your health."
"You sure you want to be with someone like that?? NTA." - molotovmerkin
"Your boyfriend is so transphobic that he wants you to expose your genitalia on the side of the road to prove that you're not a Trans woman because he can't stand the idea of a total stranger, in a neighboring car, whom he will never speak to or see ever again, thinking he MIGHT be SHARING A CAR (because the strangers in other cars have no idea that you're dating) with a Trans woman."
"You're NTA, but get a better boyfriend." - HighCsummer
"Literally, you have to be super transphobic to think people in traffic are gonna judge you if your girlfriend is standing to pee. Like come onnnnnn, this is some insane insecurity." - Responsible-Pickle-2
Some pointed out that not only was the ex-boyfriend transphobic, but also controlling.
"This won't be the last time he expects OP to sacrifice things or make her life worse so that she can conform to his ideal of feminine stereotypes and keep up appearances for his fragile masculine ego."
"And that he gave her the silent treatment for not obliging his transphobia and misogyny disguised as 'feelings' is also problematic." - blancamystiere
"He's insecure and transphobic. He also puts his insecurity and transphobia above your comfort."
"NTA, and honestly, you can do better than this specimen." - PetersMapProject
"NTA. Your boyfriend would have preferred for everyone to see your a** and vagina than have a random stranger think his girlfriend is Trans. He would rather you expose yourself for his personal gain."
"Get a better boyfriend." - Amaze-balls-trippen
"The transphobia? The insecurity? And the silent treatment when he doesn't get his way?"
"So many red flags!" - CarolynDesign
"He also puts his insecurity and transphobia above your comfort and safety."
"He would rather you invite unwanted attention and risk by exposing your private parts to the world than have people think he (who most of the onlookers couldn't even see) might be dating a Trans person."
"NTA. OP, he's too insecure, self-centered, and immature to be a good partner to you, given that he's willing to compromise your safety to avoid a single twinge of discomfort. Dump him." - Hari_om_tat_sat
After receiving feedback, the OP was reassured and shared some positive updates.
"UPDATE: Thank you, everyone, for helping me feel sane again!"
"I got quite a few questions about which device I use, and honestly, it's about what fits you best. There are a ton of options. It's what fits you. Check out pStyle, Freshette, and EllaPee."
"I tried peeing standing up in a toilet, and it worked fine. I think my aim was pretty good, but then I saw little droplets on the floor. No thanks, don't need that. Also, it's loud? Awkward."
"But for the outside, it's pretty fun! I drive a lot, that's why it was in my car. Lifesaver."
"Also, I guess in this case it brought out an ugly side of my (ex) boyfriend and clarified some stuff for me. A winner all around."
"And to all the commenters asking, YES, he is an ex-boyfriend now."
"And yes, there were other red flags."
"Ditched the man, kept the pee funnel. Gonna laugh at him every time I pee standing up."
There's no way to imagine just how awkward the rest of the car ride was after using the restroom and returning to the now-silent and very entitled boyfriend, still stuck in a traffic jam.
But fortunately for the OP, she learned something vital about her relationship during a moment that should have been a total non-issue.
By being concerned about this and expecting the OP to prioritize her ex's pride over her comfort, safety, and cleanliness, her ex told her everything she needed to know.