How the Overreach of DEI Enabled Trump’s Political Theft and Deepened America’s Divisions

There’s a saying in Zhuangzi, the Taoism classic:

He who steals a hook is executed; he who steals a nation becomes a lord.

It speaks to the paradox of human systems—how small transgressions are punished, yet grand theft is often rewarded. In modern America, this ancient wisdom feels eerily relevant. As the Democratic Party pushed Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) with increasing force, it created an opening for Donald Trump to seize the moment and "steal the nation," not through breaking the system, but by exploiting its weaknesses.

What began as a noble attempt to address inequality has, in many ways, backfired, creating the perfect conditions for Trump’s rise. The story isn’t just about Trump, though; it’s about how overcorrecting for past wrongs can lead to new imbalances, setting the stage for opportunists to thrive. Like the thief in Zhuangzi who carries away the tightly locked chest, Trump didn’t need to dismantle the system—he simply used its rigidity and contradictions to his advantage.

The Democrats’ forceful pushing for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) is rooted in the virtues of Benevolence (仁) and Righteousness (义), which is a consensus of many. However, under Taoism, this overemphasis on benevolence and righteousness can actually lead things to the opposite and henceforth bring chaos.

As said in Tao Te Ching, the scripture of Taoism written by Lao Tzu, in chapter 40

Tao's opposite flow in pairs is never-stopping, its guidance is subtle and soft.

This tells us that when things are pushed too far in one direction, they will unavoidably rebound. And the harder they are pushed, the harder they rebound, for the forceful pushing of things is a deviation from Tao. This is exactly what we are witnessing in the current state of affairs in the United States.

DEI as Benevolence and Righteousness

In Taoism, benevolence and righteousness are often secondary virtues that emerge when society deviates from the natural order, a.k.a. Tao. As said in Tao Te Ching chapter 18

When the great Tao is discarded, benevolence and righteousness are promoted

This tells us that only when society drifts from its natural balance and harmony, the need for external corrections arises. DEI, while rooted in noble intentions, can be seen as an unnatural force attempting to restore balance in an inherently fragmented system. By promoting DEI, Democrats aim to address historical issues such as d inequality and injustices, creating a fairer society where all individuals can thrive. However, when these efforts prioritize ideological purity mingled with party agenda over practical harmony, the balance tips, and the very chaos DEI seeks to resolve intensifies.

As said in the Chinese idiom

The ice as thick as three feet does not form from a single day's coldness

The issues DEI attempts to address have accumulated over centuries and have no short-cut solutions. It requires the natural healing of Tao to uproot them which requires consistency, patience, and subtle measures. Any attempt to forcefully expedite it will fail and only push them further in the other direction, resulting in the chaos as we see today.

The Pursuit of Ideals and the Loss of Tao

The Taoist ideal is one of Wu Wei  (无为) which can be understood roughly as non-striving. Wu Wei does not mean passivity but acting in alignment with the natural flow, allowing solutions to arise organically. DEI initiatives, on the other hand, often employ forceful measures: mandates, quotas, and public shaming. This imposition disrupts the natural order and alienates those who feel constrained by these methods.

For instance, mandatory diversity training or hiring quotas may unintentionally breed resentment rather than inclusion.

As said in Tao Te Ching chapter 57

the more taboos in all that is under heaven, the poorer people become; the more decrees issued, the more thieves appear

Lao Tzu's words describe perfectly what we see in today's America: taboos in society are making people poorer by putting political correctness before merit and contributions; the laws and restrictions imposed serve as a warm bed for theft.

Chaos as the Outcome of Overcorrection

The current state of polarization in the United States can be understood as the chaos that arises from overcorrection. DEI, as a form of righteousness, seeks to define what is "just" and "fair" in absolute terms, often disregarding the fluid, contextual nature of Tao. This rigidity stifles open dialogue and creates factions, each claiming moral superiority.

How This Helped Trump Rise to Power

There are similarities between the reality in America today and a story told in Zhuangzi , the founding classic of Taoism. 

It is a story about a thief who comes across a well-framed chest secured with a tight lock. Instead of trying to unlock it or break it open, the thief simply carry the entire chest onto his shoulder and runs away. His only concern? That the chest is sturdy enough and the lock is tight enough to keep the treasures inside secure while he makes his escape. This ironic twist reveals a profound truth: sometimes, the very systems designed to protect can end up aiding the wrongdoer.

This tale mirrors how Donald Trump effectively “carried off” the direction of the United States. For decades, America built strong institutions, tightly locked up with checks and balances, rules, and traditions, thinking they would safeguard democracy. Trump didn’t break those systems. Instead, he used them to his advantage. He took the weight of public distrust, growing economic frustrations, and cultural divides—the treasures stored within those institutions—and carried them on his back.

The media, political elites, and the establishment unknowingly helped him along the way. Their refusal to adapt or acknowledge the flaws within the system played directly into his hands, just like the sturdy chest and tight lock helped the thief. Trump’s rise wasn’t about breaking the rules; it was about exposing how those rules, rigid and out of touch, could be turned into tools of exploitation. In this twisted reality, the more benevolence, righteousness, propriety, and justice you promote, the further it goes in the other direction.

In both cases, the lesson is striking. Strength and security alone aren’t enough if they ignore the larger context. The chest’s sturdiness, like America’s institutions, became a liability instead of a defense. True protection comes not from stronger locks or tighter frames but from ensuring the system remains flexible, self-aware, and attuned to the needs of the people it’s meant to serve. Otherwise, the next "thief" won’t need to crack the lock—they’ll simply carry it all away.

Trump's rhetoric tapped into the frustrations of those who felt alienated by the rigid frameworks of DEI. By emphasizing individualism, merit, and a rejection of "political correctness," he appealed to those who saw DEI as an affront to their autonomy.

Furthermore, Trump's persona as a disruptor resonated with those yearning for authenticity amidst the perceived artifice of progressive ideals. He positioned himself as a champion of those who felt overlooked or vilified by the DEI narrative, embodying the very chaos that arises when society strays too far from balance.

Ironically, Trump's rise also highlights the Taoist principle that efforts to control and suppress often yield the opposite effect. The more DEI advocates pushed their agenda with urgency, the more resistance they faced, creating fertile ground for Trump's "Make America Great Again" message to flourish. His presidency became a manifestation of societal imbalance, with both sides entrenched in their extremes, far removed from the harmonious middle path of the Tao.

Toward a Taoist Approach to Inclusion

Taoism advocates for balance and simplicity. Rather than enforcing DEI through coercion, a Taoist approach would emphasize creating environments where diversity flourishes naturally. By fostering genuine connection and understanding, rather than imposing standards, harmony can emerge without the burden of forceful promotions.

The Democrats' push for DEI reflects an admirable intention to heal societal wounds. Yet, as Taoism teaches, even the most benevolent actions can backfire when they stray from the natural flow. True equity arises not from force but from alignment with Tao, where differences are embraced organically, and diversity is found in unity. In this balance, the pendulum may cease its violent swing, and society may once again find its harmony.

The Force of the Middle

What America needs is the force of the middle—neither far left nor far right. This force respects the natural order, honors facts, and values each individual. It is a force that restrains both extremes from veering off the path of Tao.

Just as said in Tao Te Ching chapter 29

There are those who lead and those who follow; those who rush and those who linger; those who are strong and those who are weak; those who are cautious and those who are adventurous. This is why a sage stays on the course of no extremes, no opulence, and no greatness.

When the middle prevails, society can rediscover the balance lost in the chaos of ideological extremes. The middle path is not a compromise but a return to the essence of Tao, where simplicity, humility, and mutual respect guide the way. Only by embracing this force can the United States transcend its current turmoil, allowing its people to coexist in harmony and fulfillment, in alignment with the natural flow of life.