I despise Donald Trump, but I read a series of thoughts by a psychologist who’s analyzed why others love him. Here’s what she said:
First, he offers no policies, no plans, no solutions. They don’t love him because he offers answers. They like him because he talks like them, hates and blames the same people, offers revenge over solutions, goes after anyone outside “the MAGA cult,” especially the Press, college students, the elite. He wants to make them pay. It isn’t important what he actually does, only what he represents. He’s a walking, talking, middle finger. A Trumper’s identity merges with his. They identify with him. When you attack him you’re attacking them. There’s a name for that: identity fusion.
Revenge is paramount. Get them back. Kick their ass. Deport them. These are the people who have made it more difficult for the Trump lover. There’s always someone to attack, to blame, to fault, to punish.
“I alone can do it.” I’m a savior. The information fed to MAGA is a closed loop. FOX and other lying media promote what he says is true. MAGA is not permitted to seek alternate information, to believe anything from anyone else, from any other source. If Trump says it, it must be true. Trump said that Iran’s nuclear sites were obliterated. When UN inspectors looked at the damage they determined that they weren’t obliterated, just damaged for some months. So, of course, they were not only wrong, but in promoting facts they were accused of attacking the President.
Double down. For those who have seen or read stories that contradict what Trump has told them they could choose to leave, but they don’t. They’ve invested too much of who they are, what they’ve believed for so many years that they can’t imagine admitting alternate views, alternate information. Instead, they double down on the lies.
Trump has often said, “They’re not after me. They’re after you. I’m just the guy in the middle.” Trump makes them feel seen, not ignored. “You’re not crazy. Everyone else is.” Belonging, identifying with the whole MAGA circus give them a sense of identity. Trump, the savior, gives them that.
Is there an answer? Those on the edge might be swayed by care, by community, by real solutions, not revenge. They’ve heard the lies. They need to hear the truth. Over and over.