I went through this with a low-IQ co-worker regarding “Bridgegate” with Chris Christie; when I pointed out he had never been connected to the closures, she said he had to be because TV kept saying he was. When I asked whether TV said he was or implied he was, her eyes glazed over and she muttered something stupid, like “he must have been”.
Implications and hints are all that is needed when the average person has lost the ability to think critically or question the almighty television. If they peel off 1% of people with each week of BS news, they eventually have enough people to elect a foreign Muslim queer.
It is truly astounding how well the brainwashing works.
You have to keep trying though. Like with your friend, you will never know if one day, 10 years from now, your comments will open her eyes to another situation. So, good job.