What About…?

You’ve likely heard it in conversations or seen it online. You bring up a serious issue—something that demands honest reflection—and suddenly, instead of addressing it, the other person deflects with, “But what about…?” It’s a common tactic, especially in today’s polarized world. Whataboutism is a method of avoiding the uncomfortable reality of a criticism by shifting the focus to a completely different topic, often trying to compare one wrong with another.

It’s no secret that the followers of the MAGA (Make America Great Again) movement have become notorious for employing this tactic. When faced with uncomfortable truths about their chosen leaders or policies, instead of wrestling with the facts, they will often resort to, “But what about…?” These deflections might refer to past mistakes made by other politicians, or hypothetical situations that serve as a diversion from the topic at hand. But what does this behaviour really tell us? And how should we respond to it from a biblical perspective?

A Case in Point: Whataboutism in Action

Picture this scenario. A political leader has been caught in a lie—perhaps it’s a major scandal, a moment of corruption, or an outright denial of truth. You bring this up to someone who strongly supports that leader, someone who’s plastered MAGA slogans across their profile and proudly wears the hat.

The response you receive isn’t surprising, but it’s disappointing. Instead of engaging with the fact that their leader has lied or acted immorally, they fire back: “Well, what about the other side? What about what so-and-so did during their time in office? Why don’t you talk about that?”

You see what’s happened, right? The focus has shifted. Instead of addressing the issue at hand—an indisputable fact that demands accountability—they’ve brought up something else to distract, to change the subject. And in doing so, they avoid dealing with the truth that makes them uncomfortable.

It’s a slippery move, but it reveals a deeper problem. At its core, whataboutism is a way to dodge responsibility and shield oneself from facing an inconvenient reality. But why do people use it so frequently? What does it tell us about their mindset?

The Psychology Behind Whataboutism

To understand this, we need to dig into the psychology of what’s going on here. Why do people engage in whataboutism, particularly when they know deep down that the criticism is valid?

Firstly, we have to acknowledge the power of cognitive dissonance. This is the mental discomfort that arises when someone holds two contradictory beliefs or when their actions don’t align with their beliefs. Let’s face it—no one likes to feel they’ve been wrong, especially when they’ve invested their identity in a particular figure, ideology, or movement.

When a MAGA supporter is confronted with a damaging truth about their leader, it creates this cognitive dissonance. They’ve built their sense of belonging and purpose around the movement, and so to admit that their leader is flawed or corrupt would create an internal conflict. How can they reconcile their loyalty to this movement with the new evidence that suggests they’ve been misled? That’s a tough pill to swallow.

In moments like these, whataboutism becomes a psychological defense mechanism. By pointing the finger elsewhere—often at political opponents—the individual attempts to preserve their worldview and avoid the emotional discomfort of confronting the truth. It’s easier to throw a smokescreen than it is to wrestle with personal responsibility or admit they’ve been wrong. And here lies a fundamental problem: whataboutism stifles personal growth. It halts the opportunity for repentance and healing, which are central to the Christian walk.

Biblical Insights: The Danger of Deflection

Scripture has much to say about honesty, accountability, and how we respond to truth. Let’s begin with Jesus’ teachings in Matthew 7:3-5:

“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”

Here, Jesus is addressing the human tendency to point out the flaws in others while ignoring the much larger issues in our own lives. Whataboutism is an embodiment of this very behaviour. It’s a way of shifting attention from our own mistakes to someone else’s, avoiding the introspection and correction that Jesus calls us to.

The Bible makes it clear that deflection and dishonesty are incompatible with a life of faith. We are called to seek truth and accountability. In John 8:32, Jesus says:

“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Notice the power here—the truth sets us free. Whataboutism does the opposite. It binds us to our errors, preventing us from experiencing the liberation that comes from humility and repentance. This is the danger of constantly deflecting: we end up trapped in a cycle of denial, far from the freedom that comes from confronting our own failings.

The Role of Pride

Pride plays a significant role in why people resort to whataboutism. It’s difficult to admit when we’re wrong, and it’s especially difficult to admit when our heroes—whether political figures or otherwise—have fallen short of the mark. But Proverbs gives us a stern warning:

“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” (Proverbs 16:18)

Pride blinds us to the truth. It’s the sin that keeps us locked in our own self-righteousness, unable to acknowledge when we’ve been led astray. Whataboutism is often fueled by this kind of pride, the need to protect our image or our allegiance to a cause, even when that cause has gone off track.

What We Can Do: Facing the Truth with Grace

As Christians, we are called to a higher standard. The Bible encourages us to engage with the truth, not shy away from it. Ephesians 4:15 reminds us to “speak the truth in love.” When we confront whataboutism—whether it comes from others or from within our own hearts—we should do so with a spirit of grace and love.

It’s easy to get frustrated when people deflect from uncomfortable truths, but let’s remember that behind this tactic often lies fear and confusion. If we want to change the conversation, we need to model a different way—one that values truth, accountability, and humility.

Rather than getting sucked into the back-and-forth of “what about them?”, we can gently steer the conversation back to the issue at hand. Ask, “What does this say about us?” or “How can we do better moving forward?” These kinds of questions invite reflection and personal responsibility, the very opposite of whataboutism.

A Call to Truth

In the end, whataboutism reveals a heart that’s afraid to face the truth. It’s a tactic of deflection, a way to preserve pride at the cost of growth. But as followers of Christ, we are called to a different path. We’re called to face our sins, confess them, and seek truth, knowing that only in truth can we find freedom.

So the next time you encounter whataboutism—whether in a political debate, a personal conversation, or even within yourself—remember this: truth matters. And only by embracing it can we find the healing and redemption that God offers us. Let’s resist the urge to deflect and instead open our hearts to the uncomfortable but necessary work of accountability. In doing so, we grow closer to God and to one another.