In the chaos of Trump-era politics, it’s easy to get caught reacting to the latest outrage. But if we want to stay effective, we must resist the impulse to chase every shiny object. We have to prioritize what matters most.

One day he shuts down the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)—an agency that literally saves lives across the globe—and before we can process the implications, we’re spun into absurdities like the “renaming” of the Gulf of Mexico or a hostile takeover of the Kennedy Center. Yes, the gutting of the Kennedy Center is significant, but USAID’s dismantling costs lives.

He pulls aid from Ukraine, worsening a deadly war, only to follow it with a dramatic appearance before Congress where he claims we’re under invasion… from Venezuela—setting the stage to invoke the Alien Enemies Act. It’s not just performance; it’s strategy.

Then comes “SignalGate,” confirming what many feared: the Cabinet is stacked with sycophants and amateurs. But before we can focus, it’s “Liberation Day,” and Trump drops a tariff bomb that rattles global markets. Or maybe not—it’s just a 90-day pause. The damage is already done, but the circus moves on.

This is not incompetence. It’s calculated distraction. A constant sleight of hand.

We must resist the manipulation. Prioritize the crises that matter most. Focus where lives, rights, and the future of democracy are on the line. And never forget: the chaos is the point.