Republican Governor Spencer Cox of Utah, 51 years old, published his book *Off Ramp: How to Be a Peacemaker in an Age of Contempt* on September 8. The book was released exactly one year after the assassination of Charlie Kirk, a MAGA (Make America Great Again) figure, during a campus debate event at Utah Valley University. Governor Cox gained national attention for his restrained response to Kirk’s assassination, advocating that “we must disagree better” and emphasizing the need to express differences of opinion in a more constructive manner. Although referred to with the derogatory term *RINO (Republican In Name Only)* by supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump, he is a rare figure in politics who has pushed forward with his convictions without yielding.
Governor Cox did not support Trump in the 2016 and 2020 elections and only changed his stance to support Trump after the latter narrowly survived a shooting during a campaign event in Butler County, Pennsylvania, in 2024. Trump supporters had significant dissatisfaction with Cox’s moderate stance. Governor Cox stated, “I dismissed those who opposed me as ‘inferior beings’ and placed myself above them, failing to change the mind or perspective of even a single person,” adding, “I regret responding to contempt with more contempt.” He also revealed that during a visit by the Bidens to Utah in the latter half of former President Joe Biden’s term, he requested a pardon for Trump to “heal political divisions.”
Governor Cox emphasized that easing tensions amid political polarization “can never originate from the White House, governors, or mayors,” stating, “Change must come from all of us. I remain optimistic that we still have the power to make this country a better place by changing how we express our differences.” In a Politico interview released on September 9, Governor Cox stated, “Losing family and close friends over politics and not even being able to converse is a fatal disease.” He added, “Breaking this vicious cycle requires conscious effort,” suggesting, “Turning off Fox News and deleting Twitter (now X) from one’s phone are among such methods.”
Governor Cox explained, “I keep social media installed only on my computer and log in to check what I need,” adding, “Since it’s not on my phone, I can’t check it immediately and can fully focus during meal times.” He noted, “I can now write long-form content again, feel my concentration returning, and have significantly improved my interpersonal relationships,” adding, “Since I no longer need to stay up all night in front of the news 24/7, I don’t get angry as often.” Senator Mike Lee, a fellow Republican representing Utah, remains active on social media. Governor Cox remarked, “I feel truly fortunate to have distanced myself from those platforms,” adding, “Anyone who spends too much time on these platforms, regardless of who they are, needs some form of intervention.”
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