In America, there is no better way to kick off the “Most Wonderful Time of the Year” than with Thanksgiving. Filled with food, football, and family, the time-honored tradition of spending time with loved ones while stuffing our faces with turkey makes it a holiday unlike any other.
And while many Americans have grown to cherish such a day, others are stressed out. For the latter, the Thanksgiving feast is just another opportunity to get caught up in those awkward moments when a family member brings up the latest controversial issue in the news cycle. Before you know it, parents are bickering with grandparents, the dog is crying, and that toasty apple pie sitting on the counter ends up going cold.
Seriously, we’ve all been there.
But let’s say this year, your family dinner is a total snooze-fest. So boring, in fact, that the dead turkey sitting on your table picks itself up and leaves.
If you find yourself in such a situation, fear not, for The Federalist is here to help by giving you the latest, hot-button topics to add some flavor to your family’s Thanksgiving dinner conversation.
1. Donald Trump
What better way to add a little pumpkin spice to your family’s Thanksgiving than by bringing up the Orange Man himself? Unlike Joe Biden, who will probably be asleep by the time your family starts eating, Trump comes with a variety of sub-categories ripe for discussion.
Whether it be his tweets and Truths, 2024 candidacy, or covfefe, the Donald is a subject that can revitalize any dull Thanksgiving meal. Plus, if you wear your red MAGA hat, there’s a good chance your uber-liberal aunt will start hurling some pretty gnarly accusations that are bound to stir up a good debate.
2. The 2020 Election
If you aren’t preparing to bring along your copy of Federalist Editor-in-Chief Mollie Hemingway’s best-selling book, “Rigged: How the Media, Big Tech, and the Democrats Seized Our Elections,” to your family’s Thanksgiving Day festivities, then chances are you aren’t doing Thanksgiving right.
While this topic may seem too similar to Trump, the 2020 presidential election comes with its own unique features to help turn up the heat at your family’s Turkey Day. With Big Tech interference, incredibly dishonest media coverage, and an influx of private money to change election operations in states around the country, the 2020 contest presented a bevy of problems you can reference to better inform your relatives of the race’s many issues and shut down those dumb, “election denier” smears.
3. Men Competing in Women’s Sports
Tired of hearing about Uncle Bill’s uneventful life at the office? Then it might be worth your while to bring up the unjust nature of men “identifying” as females competing in women’s sports. That is, assuming that William — I mean, Lia — Thomas isn’t invited to your family’s Thanksgiving.
Caution is advised, however, if you have any relatives in attendance who dye their hair blue, put their pronouns in their social media bios, and still have their “I’m with Her” bumper stickers on their electric cars. At that point, you’ll probably need some earplugs to protect your eardrums against the screeching.
4. The War in Ukraine
While you’d be hard-pressed to find many people who support Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the real topic of discussion over the ongoing war is what the U.S. response should be.
Should we send little Timmy to fight in another seemingly endless war? Do we keep writing a blank check to Ukraine for every “y” in Zelensky’s name? And what happens if Russia really does attack a NATO ally?
Much like Biden at a public event, the direction of this conversation could wander off in any direction.
5. Face Masks and Covid Shots
What better opportunity to break Cousin Kevin free from the “Covid cult” than at Thanksgiving dinner? Sure, he may keep six feet away from you since you opted not to get that experimental jab that doesn’t stop viral transmission, but that shouldn’t keep you from trying.
While it may be difficult to hear him through his masking in between bites, saving someone from the clutches of the “masks and jabs forevs!” crowd is one of the best gifts you can give this holiday season.
6. Abortion
Since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade earlier this year, abortion has been one of the hottest issues in America. Although it may be fun to mock Democrats’ insanity on the issue, this Thanksgiving may allow you to convey to some of your more lefty relatives the physical, mental, and emotional horrors of abortion.
Yes, it’s a topic bound to cause some friction. But the overall benefit of helping advance the cause of protecting innocent life is absolutely worth it.