Those uncomfortable conversations are essential, and I appreciate that you’re putting in the work. It’s not about “deprogramming” so much as encouraging critical evaluation of news sources.

Media literacy is becoming increasingly vital as we approach the election. The challenge is that many people don’t realize how their media consumption shapes their political views—they just see it as “the news.”

What’s worked for me is asking questions rather than making statements. “Where did you hear that?” followed by “Have you verified that information with a Canadian source?” opens the door without creating immediate defensiveness.

Your dad’s willingness to engage with alternative sources shows he values truth over tribal politics, even if reluctantly. That’s actually quite rare these days and worth appreciating.

The “betraying the community” feeling is something I’ve noticed with older conservatives too. There’s this sense that changing one’s mind is somehow disloyal, when really it’s just part of being an informed citizen. Democracy depends on people who can evolve their thinking based on new information.