The “Do Not Associate” List – NEW for Aug 2025
How to stop helping MAGA spread their lies. (Print version incl.)
Fact-checking and debunking myths almost always spreads the disinformation we are trying to defeat. They trick us into delivering their messages beyond their media bubble. Here is how that works, and how we can use it to spread our message!
Updated from The “Do Not Associate” List, March 11, 2025
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The Association Game
Trump and his supporters spread lies. Sometimes, when we try to point out their lies and bad behavior, we’re actually helping them instead. This seems counter-intuitive until you understand the brain science behind it. The fact is that words can work independently of the sentences that you use them in! They have an impact at the subconscious level that can be the opposite of what you are trying to express at the conscious level.
When we use a word, it lights up the part of the listener’s brain (the “frame”) that houses that concept or topic. Activating a frame repeatedly makes it physically stronger, which tricks our brains into thinking that thing is inevitable or good, or at least less bad. We know this as “normalization.” Right now, we are experiencing the normalization of concepts like ‘concentration camps’ and ‘fascism’ and behaviors like the military occupation of American cities.
Using two terms in the same sentence or conversation associates those terms whether you want them associated or not. It builds a physical bridge between them in people’s brains, which causes people to automatically think about them together. This makes their brains subconsciously think of them as being related even if they are absolutely not related.
Right-wing propagandists are masters of the art of association. They achieve normalization and false equivalence by combining familiar and judgment-laden words in new and different ways, such as ‘migrant’ and ‘crime.’
Through normalization and association, mere exposure to disinformation, even as you try to debunk it, plants the seeds of doubt and eventually creates false equivalence, turning established facts into just one side’s opinion.
When people see this:
Their brains activate and connect this:
When people see this:
Their brains activate and connect this:
As you comment online or repost articles from the news, check first to make sure you are not helping to associate concepts that we do not want associated. All of these posts were recently shared on social media by our people. The frames being associated are circled in red.
The “Do Not Associate” List
WARNING: DO NOT POST the actual Do Not Associate list below or parts of it on your social media. That will create the associations we are trying to stop! Post a link to this newsletter instead, like this:
Condemning and correcting just spreads the disinformation we are trying to defeat. Here is how to stop doing it, with a list of terms we should never use in association with Trump, ICE, immigrants, etc. and what to say instead: The “Do Not Associate” List – NEW for Aug 2025 from Antonia Scatton at Reframing America https://reframingamerica.substack.com/p/dna-august-2025
ASSOCIATIONS that we do NOT want to create:
Do NOT associate WASHINGTON, D.C. or BLUE CITIES, with
HOMELESSNESS, DRUGS, CRIME, GANGS, MUGGING, MAIMING, SHOOTING INNOCENT CITIZENS, BLOODSHED, SQUALOR, BEDLAM, HELLHOLE
Do NOT associate TRUMP with
LAW AND ORDER, SAFETY
VICTIM, 71% APPROVAL RATING, WON THE 2020 ELECTION
Do NOT associate OBAMA or CLINTONS or BIDEN with
WEAPONIZATION of the JUSTICE SYSTEM, RUSSIA HOAX, CONSPIRACY, FRAME TRUMP, CHEATED, GRAND JURY PROBE
Do NOT associate PRESIDENT BIDEN with
AUTOPEN, HEALTH DECLINE, COVER-UP
Do NOT associate DEMOCRATS with
UNFAVORABLE POLLS, DIVIDED, RADICAL, SOCIALISTS, WOKE, TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME, CRAZED LUNATICS, SYDNEY SWEENEY
Do NOT associate TARRIFS with
RAISED REVENUE, INVESTMENT IN U.S. MANUFACTURING
Do NOT associate TRUMP with
BOOMING ECONOMY, SECURE BORDER, BIGGER PAYCHECKS
Do NOT associate BUDGET BILL with
BIG, BEAUTIFUL, LOWER TAXES, JOB CREATION, ECONOMIC GROWTH
Do NOT associate JOBS REPORT or BUREAU of LABOR STATISTICS with
RIGGED, FAKE, CONCOCTED, PHONY, SCAM, BIDEN APPOINTEE, INNACURACIES, INCOMPETENCE
Do NOT associate HOUSING COSTS with
REGULATIONS (Now is NOT the right time to have a discussion about over-regulation, not while the federal government is being gutted beyond recognition. It validates the argument for DOGE and Musk cuts.)
Do NOT associate SCHOOL VOUCHERS with
MARKET COMPETITION, OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARSHIPS, PARENTAL CHOICE
Do NOT associate IMMIGRANTS with
INVASION, BORDER CRISIS, WAR ON CARTELS, CRIME, LATIN AMERICAN GANGS, GANG DEPORTATIONS
Do NOT associate WINDMILLS with
UGLY, KILLING BIRDS
Do NOT associate SOLAR POWER, RENEWABLE ENERGY with
UNRELIABLE, DEPENDENT ON SUBSIDIES
Do NOT associate the PEOPLE of a country with
THE ACTIONS OF THEIR POLITICAL LEADERS (Trump, Netanyahu, Hamas)
Do NOT associate MEDICAID with
HANDOUTS, WORK REQUIREMENTS, “DESERVING”
Do NOT associate REPUBLICANS with
FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE, FREEDOM OF SPEECH or RELIGION, ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY
Do NOT associate SOCIAL SECURITY with
FRAUD, PONZI SCHEME, HANDOUT, ENTITLEMENT
Do NOT associate FEDERAL GOVERNMENT with
WASTE, FRAUD, AND ABUSE
Do NOT associate TRANSGENDER PEOPLE with
SPORTS, GIRSL’ SPORTS, UNFAIR ADVANTAGE BATHROOMS, PREDATORS
Do NOT associate PEOPLE on PUBLIC ASSISTANCE with PARASITES
Do NOT associate UNIVERSITIES with WOKE, DEI, ANTI-SEMITIC
Do NOT associate THE RICH with CREATE JOBS
Do NOT associate BALANCE THE BUDGET with CUT SPENDING
Do NOT associate VACCINES with “JAB”
Do NOT associate ZELENSKY with CORRUPTION
Do NOT associate FEDERAL WORKERS with LAZY
The “Do Associate” List
POSITIVE ASSOCIATIONS that we DO want to create:
NOTE: Feel free to share these as much as possible! You want the overwhelming majority of the content you produce to be these positive associations! We have to build up these connections in people’s brains.
DO associate DEMOCRATS with FIGHTING TRUMP’S CORRUPTION and ABUSE OF POWER
DO associate DEMOCRATS with STRONG, FIGHTING FOR WORKING PEOPLE, ECONOMIC FAIRNESS, HIGHER WAGES, LOWER COST OF LIVING, LOWER PRICES
DO associate ECONOMIC FAIRNESS with SELF-DETERMINATION, DIGNITY, WAGES YOU CAN SUPPORT A FAMILY ON, ROOM FOR EVERYONE IN THE MIDDLE CLASS
DO associate AMERICAN DREAM with PROMISE, COMMITMENT, CONTRACT, OBLIGATION TO WORKERS, GOOD CORPORATE CITIZENSHIP
DO associate DEMOCRATS with FIGHTING FOR OUR FREEDOM, FREE AND INDEPENDENT MEDIA, FREEDOM OF RELIGION, RIGHT TO MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT YOUR OWN BODY, FREEDOM OF SPEECH, EXPRESSION, THOUGHT, PRESS, ASSOCIATION
DO associate BLUE CITIES with SAFER THAN EVER, BUILDING SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS, INVESTING IN CRIME PREVENTION, LOWEST CRIME RATES SINCE THE 60S.
DO associate MEDICAID with RURAL HOSPITALS, PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
DO associate MEDICARE with MOST COST-EFFECTIVE HEALTH PLAN IN AMERICA
DO associate SOCIAL SECURITY with RETIREMENT SECURITY, EARNED BENEFITS, GUARANTEED, COMMITMENT, PROMISE
DO associate IMMIGRANTS with LAW-ABIDING LONG-TERM RESIDENTS, CONTRIBUTE TO OUR COMMUNITIES, HARD WORKING, TAXPAYING AMERICANS, LEGAL/CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS, RIGHT TO BE HEARD IN COURT, DUE PROCESS
DO associate VACCINES with MEDICAL MIRACLE or, SAVING LIVES or PREVENTING MEASLES
Do associate mRNA VACCINES with PREVENTING THE NEXT PANDEMIC
DO associate GOVERNMENT with BELONGS TO US, MAKE AND CARRY OUT GROUP DECISIONS, TAKE CARE OF EACH OTHER, IMPROVE OUR QUALITY OF LIFE, INVEST IN OUR FUTURE, PROTECT OUR RIGHTS AS WORKERS
DO associate GOVERNMENT, DEMOCRATS with SUPPORT FARMERS, CANCER RESEARCH, MEDICAL RESEARCH, INVEST IN MANUFACTURING, BUILD ROADS AND BRIDGES
DO associate GOVERNMENT, DEMOCRATS with STAND UP TO BIG CORPORATIONS, FIGHT MONOPOLIES, PROTECT CONSUMERS, FIGHT FRAUD, KEEP EACH OTHER SAFE, KEEP OUR FOOD SAFE, FIGHT THE SPREAD OF DISEASE, MAKE IT SAFE TO FLY ON PLANES
DO associate GOVERNMENT, DEMOCRATS with RETIREMENT SECURITY, SOCIAL SECURITY, ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE, AFFORDABLE COLLEGE AND JOB TRAINING, PUBLIC EDUCATION, FEED KIDS
DO associate GOVERNMENT, DEMOCRATS with STABILIZE THE CLIMATE, SLOW THE INCREASE IN DANGEROUS WEATHER
DO associate RENEWABLE ENERGY with STABILIZING THE CLIMATE, UNLIMITED RESOURCE, ADVANCED BATTERY TECHNOLOGY
DO associate PUBLIC EDUCATION, SCHOOLS with EDUCATE EVERY CHILD, FREEDOM, ECONOMIC MOBILITY, TEACH THE TRUTH, COMMON HISTORY, AMERICAN VALUES, COOPERATION, EQUALITY
DO associate BALANCE THE BUDGET with RAISING REVENUE, CLOSE THE REVENUE GAP (caused by the Trump tax cuts for the rich)
DO associate CREATE JOBS with INCREASE DEMAND, INCREASE WAGES
DO associate GOOD BUSINESSES with SMALL BUSINESSES, FAMILY BUSINESSES, FAMILY FARMS, LOCAL, MAIN STREETS
DO associate SUPPORTING UKRAINE with KEEPING OUR WORD, PROTECTING OUR ALLIES
DO associate the PEOPLE OF ISRAEL and the PALESTINIAN PEOPLE with the RIGHT TO BE SAFE and the RIGHT TO POLITICAL SELF-DETERMINATION
NEGATIVE ASSOCIATIONS that we DO want to create:
NOTE: While we do want to create these negative associations, we should be aware that we are also normalizing the things we are talking about by giving them repeat exposure. Wherever possible, make your point by emphasizing the positive associations above either instead of, or in addition to, the following.
DO associate TRUMP with PEDOPHILES, JEFFREY EPSTEIN, BEING ON THE EPSTEIN CLIENT LIST, SCRUBBING/HIDING THE EPSTEIN FILES, GHISLAINE MAXWELL, PRISON TRANSFER, MISS TEEN USA, RUNNING A MODELING AGENCY
DO associate PAM BONDI with LYING TO PROTECT TRUMP
DO associate HOUSE REPUBLICANS with AVOIDING RELEASE OF EPSTEIN FILES
DO associate TRUMP/REPUBLICAN BUDGET with BILLIONAIRE TAX CUTS, CUTTING MEDICAID, THROWING ELDERLY OUT OF NURSING HOMES, CLOSING RURAL HOSPITALS, DEVASTATING CANCER RESEARCH, PRIVATIZING THE WEATHER SERVICE
DO associate TAX CUTS FOR THE RICH with BLOWING A GIANT HOLE IN THE BUDGET, SOARING NATIONAL DEBT, CREATING A HUGE REVENUE GAP
DO associate ROBERT F. KENNEDY JR with GUTTING VACCINE RESEARCH, PUTTING US IN DANGER OF ANOTHER PANDEMIC, THREATENING OUR HEALTH
DO associate TRUMP with GUTTING FEMA, TEXAS FLOOD DELAY, ABANDONING PEOPLE, THREATENING OUR SAFETY
DO associate TRUMP with TRADE WAR, INFLATION, RISING PRICES, SLOWING THE ECONOMY, KILLING JOBS, 3 MONTHS OF TERRIBLE JOB NUMBERS, HIDING THE FACTS, FIRING PEOPLE WHO DON’T LIE FOR HIM
DO associate TRUMP with LIES ABOUT EVERYTHING, CHEATS AT EVERYTHING, CHEATS AT GOLF, ACCUSES OTHER PEOPLE OF EVERYTHING HE IS DOING
DO associate TRUMP with ABUSE OF POWER, VIOLATE THE CONSTITUTION, POLITICIZE THE FBI, JUSTICE DEPARTMENT, ATTACK POLITICAL OPPOSITION, VIOLATE COURT ORDERS, DISOBEY THE LAW, CONVICTED CRIMINAL
DO associate TRUMP TARRIFS with RUINING FARMERS, AUTO INDUSTRY PROFIT SLUMP/STOCK DIVE
DO associate LAYING OFF FEDERAL EMPLOYEES with INCREASING UNEMPLOYMENT, MAKING IT UNSAFE TO FLY, ENABLING CRIMINAL TAX EVASION BY THE RICH, SOCIAL SECURITY DELAYS
DO associate VIOLATING FEDERAL EMPLOYEE LABOR RIGHTS with ANTI-WORKER, ANTI-UNION, VIOLATING LABOR CONTRACTS, SCREWING OVER WORKING PEOPLE, BREAKING HIS WORD, FIRING 30,000 VA WORKERS
DO associate TRUMP with IRRATIONAL HATRED FOR CLEAN ENERGY, POLITICIZING ENERGY POLICY, HURTING AMERICAN COMPETETIVENESS, INCREASING ENERGY COSTS, CLIMATE DENIAL, SELLING OUT OUR FUTURE TO BIG OIL, SOLICITING BRIBES FROM OIL COMPANIES
DO associate OIL and FOSSIL FUELS with BEING DEPENDENT ON BILLIONS IN TAXPAYER SUBSIDIES, DIRTY, EXPENSIVE, RUNNING OUT, DESTABILIZING THE CLIMATE
DO associate TRUMP with CENSORSHIP, THOUGHT POLICE, ATTACKING UNIVERSITIES, DEMANDING PAYOUTS, USING LAWSUITS TO EXTORT BRIBES FROM MEDIA, HARASSING TRAVELERS, KILLING TOURISM
DO associate TRUMP IMMIGRATION WAR, ICE with ABDUCTING LAW-ABIDING LONG-TERM RESIDENTS, ABDUCTING OUR NEIGHBORS, DEPORTING ESSENTIAL WORKERS, DEPORTING FARM WORKERS, INCREASING FOOD PRICES, DESTROYING LOCAL BUSINESSES
DO associate TRUMP IMMIGRATION WAR, ICE with POLICE STATE, TERRORIZING WHOLE COMMUNITIES, SECRET POLICE, NO WARRANTS, ILLEGAL DEPORTATIONS, UNACCOUNTABLE, BLACK SITES, NO ACCESS TO LAWYERS, FAMILIES DON’T KNOW WHERE THEY ARE
DO associate TRUMP IMMIGRATION WAR, ICE with RACIST, RACIAL PROFILING, WHITE SUPREMACY, ANTI-HISPANIC, ANTI-MUSLIM
DO associate LAURA LOOMER with ETHNIC CLEANSING (re: 65m Latinos comment)
DO associate TRUMP IMMIGRATION WAR, ICE with BETRAYING PEOPLE who RISKED THEIR LIVES TO HELP US in the war in Afghanistan.
DO associate REVOKING HUMANITARIAN PAROLE with BREAKING OUR WORD to PEOPLE FLEEING TYRANNY in their home countries.
DO associate ICE SEIZING PEOPLE IN COURT with ABDUCTING PEOPLE WHO DID IT THE LEGAL WAY
DO associate IMMIGRANT DETENTION CENTERS with HORRIBLE, INHUMANE CONDITIONS, NOT ENOUGH FOOD, WATER, NO PLUMBING, NO MEDICAL TREATMENT, CONCENTRATION CAMPS, AUSCHWITZ
DO associate FOR PROFIT PRISONS with SLAVE LABOR
DO associate ICE, SHERIFFS, LOCAL COLLABORATION with SHAME, NUREMBERG TRIALS, “FOLLOWING ORDERS” IS NO EXCUSE
DO associate NATIONAL GUARD with UNLAWFUL/ILLEGAL ORDERS (obligation to disobey), POSSE COMITATUS ACT (limiting domestic use of military)
DO associate ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE with THEFT OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, DISAPPEARING OFFICE JOBS, DISAPPEARING ENTRY LEVEL JOBS, ECONOMIC BUBBLE, RISK OF MARKET CRASH
DO associate AI DATA CENTERS with MASSIVE ENERGY USE, REVERSE PROGRESS ON GLOBAL WARMING, HIGHER ELECTRICITY RATES, THREATEN WATER SUPPLIES, TAXPAYER SUBSIDIES FOR PRIVATE COMPANIES
DO associate TRUMP with CONFLICT OF INTEREST, FINANCIAL GAIN, CORRUPTION, REWARD FRIENDS, PARDON CRIMINALS, SELLING PARDONS, QATAR AIRPLANE BRIBE, INFLUENCE OF MONEY IN POLITICS, DOING THE BIDDING OF MASSIVE GLOBAL CONGLOMERATES AND BILLIONAIRES
DO associate ELON MUSK with OVERPAID, INCOMPETENT, RUINED TESLA, STEALING ELECTIONS, VOTING MACHINE HACKING
DO associate STARLINK SATELLITES with TOXIC SPACE JUNK, DAMAGING THE OZONE LAYER
DO associate TESLA SELF-DRIVING CARS with FATAL ACCIDENTS
DO associate PETER THEIL with SPYING ON AMERICANS, HIGH-TECH SURVEILLANCE, VIOLATING OUR PRIVACY, STEALING OUR DATA
DO associate HOMELESSNESS with HOUSING SHORTAGE, CUTS TO MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMS, TRUMP CUTS TO RENTAL ASSISTANCE
DO associate HOUSING SHORTAGE with PRIVATE EQUITY FIRMS OUTCOMPETING FAMILIES, LANDLORDS USING REALPAGE TO COLLUDE ON RENT PRICES, AVOID ANTI-TRUST LAW
DO associate TRUMP with CONVICTED, CRIMINAL, FELON, MAFIA STATE, MOB BOSS, EXTORTION, THREAT, SOLICIT BRIBES
DO associate TRUMP with TRAITOR, ESPIONAGE, TOP SECRET DOCUMENTS, COMPROMISED, RUSSIA, PUTIN, BETRAY OUR ALLIES, ISOLATE THE US, ENDANGER OUR NATIONAL SECURITY
DO associate UNIVERSAL VOUCHER PROGRAMS with PRIVATIZATION, HANDOUT TO THE ALREADY RICH, BANKRUPT STATE BUDGETS, CORPORATE FOR-PROFIT SCHOOLS, IDEOLOGICALLY SEGREGATED SCHOOLS
DO associate CRYPTOCURRENCY and TRUMP CRYPTO with LEGALIZED BRIBERY, SCAM, PONZI SCHEME, INTERNATIONAL CRIME, MONEY LAUNDERING, MASSIVE ENERGY USE, HIGHER ELECTRICITY RATES
DO associate WASTE, FRAUD and ABUSE with PRIVATE CONTRACTORS, OUTSOURCE TO FOR-PROFIT COMPANIES, WHITE COLLAR CRIMINALS, PRIVATE INSURANCE PRETENDING TO BE MEDICARE (Medicare Advantage)
Do associate MEDICARE ADVANTAGE with IMPOSTER, DECEPTIVE, FRAUD
Do associate REPUBLICAN SENATOR RICK SCOTT with MEDICARE FRAUD, LARGEST HEALTH CARE FRAUD CASE IN U.S. HISTORY
DO associate BILLIONAIRES, PRIVATE EQUITY with PARASITES, VULTURES, CORPORATE RAIDERS, MASS LAYOFFS, DOWNSIZING, PRICE GOUGING, PRICE COLLUSION, MONOPOLY POWER, WAGE SUPPRESSION
Do associate BENJAMIN NETANYAHU with INDICTED FOR BRIBERY AND FRAUD, INTENTIONAL STARVATION, WAR CRIMES, ILLEGAL SETTLMENTS
These are incomplete lists, but you get the idea. Feel free to add ‘do associate’ and ‘do not associate’ items in the comments!
Thank you so much for reading this. I hope it is of use to you in your work and activism!
In solidarity, always,
Download the PDF VERSION here:
Antonia Scatton, DO and DO NOT Associate Lists, AUG 2025
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Contact me at antonia@antoniascatton.com or (202) 922-6647
DO associate TEXAS DEMS with Brave, Saving Democracy, Standing Up, Fighting Back, Backbone, Legal Quorum Break
Wish there was some way to get all those Dem consultants and posters to pin this to their walls so they’d start thinking before adding to the chaos.