This is akin to letting an arsonist play with fire

It's more like telling all of your friends to avoid MLMs using easily falsifiable or overly exaggerated reasons, and when they end up meeting with an MLM rep, they're more likely to sign up because the rep can easily explain away those concerns. A lot of what I see about Trump is akin to "don't vote for Trump, he's going to Auschwitz your LGBT friends!" If they actually research him, they'll quickly see that's not the case at all, and they'll wonder what else you're exaggerating about.

I think a better approach to convincing someone Trump is dangerous is less about alarmism and more about revealing who he actually is. He's a narcissist who doesn't listen to his advisors and doesn't seem to understand economic policy (plenty of evidence of both), so he's more likely to confidently do things that will hurt the nation, not out of malice, but incompetence. Running an economy is very different from running a company, yet Trump seems intent on doing that. Case in point, economists are pretty united in saying his tariff plans will be harmful for the American public. If they can view Trump through that lens, they'll understand a lot of why he says what he says, and decide that maybe they don't want someone who just wants to see their name in headlines and instead someone who will listen to experts.

Going along with that theme, I really don't see a reason for Trump to attempt to stay in office after his term. He's a narcissist, so he wants his name to show up among "best presidents ever" instead of "traitorous presidents put in jail after a failed coup." He has already said he's not interested in running again if he isn't elected, which is completely different from his messaging 4 years ago. He wants a legacy, not power.

logically you can’t compare the two

I'm comparing their proposed policies, which is absolutely relevant here. Harris will be decidedly better for the economy, but still pretty bad IMO. However, I think Congress will stop the worst of Harris' agenda, whereas Trump seems confident he can accomplish it without Congress, so in general I'd prefer Harris. That said, I'm not voting for her, because my state will elect Trump by ~20% regardless of what I do, so I might as well vote my conscience.

it is their apparatus that is really running things

Then it makes more sense to push for non-Republicans in Congress than the executive branch. Point out that Trump is temporary, but Senate and House seats can last much longer. They're the ones who will be approving justices, writing laws, and potentially impeaching the President.

your resignation just shows you are unwilling to fight for what is right

No, I just have more than the next election in mind. I'm much less worried about Trump and more worried about whoever comes after Trump. Maybe it'll be someone else piggy-backing off his ideas, but they're younger and more interested in control. We can only cry wolf so many times...

POC, immigrants

My SO is a POC immigrant, as are some of my best friends.