Indeed it is possible. Even if politics do come up. The approach I take is non-combative. I try to subtly win them over instead of getting angry and calling them names, etc. Though I admit I am sometimes tempted to!
With regard to Trump, I like to ask them questions and pull out why they "hate" Trump so much. Almost always, it's because they have bought into what the mainstream media and Democrats have to say about him. I then try to draw out the specifics and allow them to discover the weaknesses of the arguments on their own.
It is human nature to never want to admit you are wrong. So if they are forced to defend their beliefs, they will stick with their flawed beliefs to the bitter end. This, you do not want. Instead, I thank them for their opinion and tell them I respect it while letting them figure it out on their own. That way, they are allowed to save face if they do come around. Most importantly, I will never be one of those preachy and insufferable "I told you so" type of people.
Getting back to the general topic, there are certain family members I do not proactively associate with. Usually because they are negative people who resent my success and want to bring me down to their level. However, I will never shun them or give them "silent treatment" at family functions. I am always holding out hope for their redemption. But life is too short to be miserable. It's not about hate or revenge with me. I simply like to preserve a positive environment and so I only surround myself with friends and positive people.
Yes. I don’t go as far as you. I am outnumbered and they feel probably quite socially superior to me, all being successful etc. So I just stay quiet as far as politics are concerned. But like you, if I am ever in a one on one with someone who cares to know my opinion, I try and expand their blinded minds by explaining how my opinions come from a deep desire for freedom for all as enumerated in our founding documents.
Like you, I don’t preach, I just share what I believe and it stuns them that I am for freedom for everyone, not the racist xenophobe they were told we each are. They are then, like your relatives, forced to defend their weak position. But mostly I just shut up.
And how true, that later on there are many times we could say I told you so but we choose not to. Heh heh. I had a bunch of relatives tell me they were for John Edwards. I mentioned his sex, baby, dying wife scandal and they all didn’t believe me. At the time. Lol.