Thoughts from the Middle

The Donald Trump Cult:  Why do over 35 Million American Still Support President Trump?

By

Robert J. Fischer*

Introduction

The majority of Americans were appalled by the events of January 6, 2021.  Recent polls indicate that 54% of Americans hold President Trump responsible for the violence during the takeover of the Capitol (The Hill/Harris poll, January 7, 2021).  Likewise, they also believe he should be impeached and banned from holding public office for life.  Not surprisingly most democrats in Congress support impeachment.  But perhaps somewhat surprising is the number of Republican legislators who also support censure, impeachment, or barring President Trump from public office.

On the other hand the Republican National Committee (RNC), many state party leaders, and up to 35 million voters still believe that the election was stolen from President Trump.  Some serving on the RNC, led by Trump supporter and chairperson Rona Romney McDaniel,  have already voiced support for a 2024 Trump Presidential race.  Why?  It is a question being asked by many Americans.  While I’m not a psychologist, there are some clues.

The makeup of the mob that descended on the Capitol on January 6 is not very helpful.  People from all walks of life were present and involved:  police officers, former military personnel, physical therapists, retired firefighters, factory workers, college students, and many others.  Was there any common connection?  The answer is yes!  All of these people were likely influenced by a constant message in the media that the election was stolen by liberal, socialist elites.  “Stop the Steal” posts on various media platforms swayed these people toward a belief that there was credible evidence that the election was stolen from President Trump.

The Influence of social media on shaping a believer’s views

 In my two past articles, I focused on the role that media has played in furthering this false premise. This article specifically focuses on the factors that influence the beliefs of the loyal Trump followers.  For example, The New York Times recently published an opinion article that features Dominick McGee, a young college student and army veteran who became convinced, via Facebook posts, that the election was stolen (Thompson, Stuart A., and Charlie Warzel, “How Facebook Incubated the Insurrection,” The New York Times, January 14, 2021), and became the founder of the media platform, “Win the Win.” 

Media platforms such as McGee’s “Win the Win” and Trump’s own Facebook presence cater to like-minded individuals.  Reposts with refinement follow, enhancing what is often false or misleading information.  An organizer for an another Facebook group said, “This is not a group for socializing. I don’t care if you’re a 5G person, you come from QAnon, you’re a mad super believer in all this stuff that’s happening, or you’re just new to the group, you’ve just had your eyes opened, you have to understand, we’re a mixed bag.”  McGee says that his followers support his beliefs.  “I’ve been feeling this way for years.  That’s why it’s so easy for me to make posts, because I’ve been suppressing this stuff forever.”

Dominick McGee started “Win the Win” with the goal to overturn the 2020 election results.  Within weeks he had tens of thousands of followers, and before being shut down by Facebook, the group had over 61,000 members.  While McGee’s group has been deleted from Facebook, he has returned using another group name.  This group is attracting radically thinking people.  A few days following McGee’s return from the Capitol, a chat room discussion included claims by a woman who says she runs a multi-state group interested in far-right tactics.  She was recruiting members and told Mr. McGee that he could join if he passed a thorough interview and background check.  She is quoted as saying, “We’re ready for anything. We have tons of gas masks. Tons of bullets. Tons of magazines. Tons of ARs. Anybody who’s interested, hit me up. Hit me up on Facebook.” (Thompson and Warzel)

Why do people believe what they believe?

The factors that lead us to believe what we believe are complex. We are influenced by a combination of genetics, family, friends, media, life experiences, and many other circumstances and events.  Our beliefs tend to be firm, but perhaps not accurate.  We tend to seek out that which confirms our “world view.” We are supported in this effort by what is called the echo chamber.  In other words, people seek out and hear only opinions and beliefs that support their own.  Alternative ideas are not considered.  In addition, media platforms, through what is called the filter bubble, provide support for existing beliefs.  In other words, algorithms personalize the information that the media user sees.  Finally, there is a phenomenon known as confirmation bias,where groups and persons seek out information that supports their beliefs and ignore other information that goes against their views.

Many of us think that we are critical in our analysis of information (in other words critical thinkers).  If a person fails to consider or distrust information that does not agree with their view, they are NOT a critical thinker.  Getting information from only supportive sources is not critical thinking.  This is particularly true if sources are saying distrust science, government, the media, and academia.

The Trump phenomenon and his supporters

What do Trump supporters believe? The best way to determine the beliefs and values of Trump supporters is to take a close look at Donald Trump.  What does Trump say that he stands for?  The list is long, and often not consistent.  The following are a few of his stated or implied beliefs:

• Ethnic groups are a lesser lot
• Deportation of undocumented immigrants is good and follows the law
• Barring Muslims from entering the United States protects us from terrorists
• Christianity must be reinstated  as the founding principle of this great nation
• Strongmen/dictators get the job done
• Acceptable civility isn’t a prerequisite for public office.  The First Amendment applies to anything said or published!
• There is a need to build a wall to keep Hispanic people from taking our jobs
• There are many bad trade agreements that lead to de-industrialization and the loss of American jobs
• Drug prices are too high, government can negotiate better deals
• The legendary military/industrial complex is a corruption of good business and an insult to working Americans.  Think the $435 hammer or the $600 toilet seat (Mathershed, Airon, “Does Media Coverage of Procurement Scandals Lead to Procurement Reform?” Public Contract Law Journal, Summer 2012)

These statements reflect a couple of broad beliefs held by various constituent groups.  The first three statements supported by the President’s rhetoric, imply racism.  To paraphrase comedian John Oliver, either Donald Trump is a racist or he is pretending to be one.  His support by groups such as the Poor Boys and other neo Nazi groups demonstrates this appeal.  On the other hand, a larger number of his supporters are influenced by his economic views.  The trade issue has been a divisional problem since the NAFTA agreements drafted during the Clinton administration.  While many main stream Republicans and Democrats believe that free trade is good for America, working class Americans are often left behind when corporations move business to Mexico or China.  Many working class Americans believe Donald Trump when he talks about bringing jobs back to the United States.  While the past four years haven’t shown this to be true, Americans still believe Trump’s promises.  He appears to be on the working person’s side, as compared to career politicians who are often viewed by working class people as rich and as tools of corporate American.

Conclusions

The reason that approximately 35 million Americans still believe in Donald Trump may be because of commonly held fear– that the America that they know is being destroyed.  The economy, while looking good on Wall Street, has left many Americans jobless or working at lesser paying jobs.  The changing demographics means that white Americans will soon no longer be the majority in their America.  The combination of Hispanics, Blacks, Asians, and others will make up the majority.  To further complicate this perception that white America is losing its status is the view that immigrants are taking away jobs and are often living off of the tax dollars that hard working Americans pay.

Donald Trump uses these fears to gain support.  Supporters view him as outspoken, speaking in a language that the working class understands, and a believer in the America that they don’t want to see change.  Trump followers often view Democrats as abandoning working class values for liberal idealist social issues, and view main stream Republicans as the rich elite who do not share working class values.

*Supporting materials on media literacy provided by Jenni Levora

Other material from Frank, Thomas, “Millions of ordinary Americans support Donald Trump. Here’s Why,” The Guardian, March 7, 2016.