The Roberts twins, 25-year-old identical brothers from Indiana, went viral after a video in which Democratic Indianapolis councilor Nick Roberts clarified he was not his twin Nathan, a Republican activist. Despite sharp political differences — and amid a heated state redistricting fight that brought threats against Nick — the brothers emphasize kindness, civil dialogue and family above partisan divide. Their example shows how relationships can endure respectful political disagreement.
Indiana Twin Politicians Choose Kindness Over Conflict: 'You Have One Family'
Democratic politician Nick Roberts, left, and his Republican twin Nathan Roberts speak about life in the US’s political divide on WXIN, a news outlet in their home town of Indianapolis, Indiana.Composite: WXIN
Two 25-year-old identical twins from Indiana — one an elected Democrat, the other a prominent Republican activist — have become an internet sensation for how they handle stark political differences: with patience, civility and a clear emphasis on family.
Brothers on Opposite Sides
Nick Roberts serves on the Indianapolis City Council as a Democrat. His twin, Nathan Roberts, is a Republican and a vocal supporter of Donald Trump who leads Save Heritage Indiana, a nonprofit that says it opposes illegal immigration in the state. The twins drew wide attention after Nick posted a social media video asking followers not to mistake him for his brother at Republican events.
'Yes, I promise this is real and not a joke,' Nick said in the clip, referencing Donald Trump's 'Make America Great Again' (MAGA) slogan. 'Just know that if you see someone that looks like me at a Republican event, or definitely wearing a MAGA hat, it is not me. It is him.'
Keeping Conversation Civil
In a recent interview with Indianapolis station WXIN, the brothers described how they intentionally avoid letting politics ruin their relationship. 'We never argue about politics — if we’re discussing something, he’s one of the few people I can go to,' Nathan told WXIN. 'He can — not change my mind on stuff, but he can give me a new perspective.'
Nick echoed that view: 'I really do think that having these conversations and honest points of dialogue is how we make a difference. Cutting people out of your life because of politics is not just something that’s not good to do; but also more important, I don’t think it works. I think it gets people dug in a lot of times more.'
Viral Clip and Real-World Consequences
Nick's video has been watched hundreds of thousands of times and inspired jokes about the 'evil twin' trope. The post came as Indiana was embroiled in a contentious debate over redrawing congressional districts — a fight that could shift the state's political balance ahead of the 2026 midterms. In November, Nick said he received multiple bomb threats and was the target of an attempted swatting related to the dispute; he confirmed that his family is safe.
Family First
Despite profound political differences, the Roberts twins say they deliberately cultivate respectful dialogue and prioritize their bond. Quoting a family saying evoked by their grandmother, Nathan reflected: 'If there were not dysfunctional families, there would be no families at all.' He added, 'You have one family in the world. You might as well make the best of it.'
Why it matters: Their story highlights how personal relationships can survive — and even model — civil political disagreement during an era of intense polarization.
