Please don't wear a Trump-related Halloween costume

Halloween is on the horizon, and those looking to free themselves from the confines of "normal" costumes--the witch hats, the cat ears, the fabric pumpkin suits--might be tempted to tiptoe into Trump's America for their costume this year.

They absolutely should not.

Here's the thing about Trump-adjacent costumes: they are not funny, but they are prevalent. Much like allowing Sean Spicer a lighthearted appearance at the Emmys, though, building yourself a cardboard podium and being Spicer for Halloween trivializes the damage he did while in office.

We've also heard murmurs of Brett Kavanaugh Halloween costumes this year, which is such a terrible idea we can't believe it even has to be addressed. Do not wear a Brett Kavanaugh costume. Don't even wear a beer joke costume. The Kavanaugh hearing was not a moment of pop culture; it was a moment of political and personal trauma.

This extends to Trump-era concepts, too. If you're tempted to dress as, say, "sexy fake news" this year, it might be worth remembering that Trump uses the term "fake news" to rail against the free press.

If you aren't directly targeted by racist, homophobic, xenophobic, and otherwise derogatory media, it's also worth considering those who are. Would they think that costume is funny? Maybe. But that's not for you to decide.

Please think twice before wearing the following costumes this Halloween:

• Any current or former member of the Trump administration (includes Kanye West)

• Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell

• This stupid "border patrol" costume

• While we're at it, anything related to the border wall or the detention of asylum-seekers

• Sexy "fake news"

• Anything remotely to do with Brett Kavanaugh

• Anything involving a Make America Great Again hat

• Trump himself, no matter how funny you think the mask is.

Yes, yes, we know Halloween is supposed to be a scary holiday. If you want to scare people, please refrain from trivializing baby jails and dress up as climate change instead.