> you can have civilized discussion about myriad controversial figures historical and contemporary—Hitler, Mussolini, Mao, Putin, Manson, Bundy, Judas, and Kanye

I don't disagree with your point, but man is that rough company for Kanye in that list!

I'd argue that COVID is a critical health issue that we're still amidst, and Apple or Rust provide value that even their detractors recognize, so their discussion is useful even if it tends to contention.

Trump doesn't provide any kind of value, and is not significantly relevant as a historic figure, so we would be having contention just for the sake of it. If we're allowing this, then there's many demagogue leaders in the world that need coverage about their attempts to gain political support.

I didn't flag this post, but I have no problem if others flag it. It's empty calories to our HN diet.

+1 to basically everything you said, that's why I flagged

Trump changed perception of reality itself, for millions of Americans. Things will never be the same. The most relevant historical US political figure in decades. He's polling higher than anyone else if he decides to run again. So you're probably way off in your assertions.