Trump Opponents Need to Understand the Root Causes of His Strong Support

Written by Jerry Elman, August 7, 2024

Introduction

Lots of people keep asking the question: How can Trump supporters believe what they believe? Then, they attack them, demonize them, and engage in nonstop social media debates and accusations. Trump supporters do the exact same thing to those who oppose Trump. I have to admit, there was a time I got caught up attacking Trump supporters.

The harsher the debate, the more people argue and fight. We all need to step back and understand the dynamics of this cycle of hate and how we are all being manipulated, no matter what our political beliefs are.

No one knows what truth is anymore. That is what fuels the fight and today’s hate. The truth is manufactured and tailored to what we want to hear, and so we only listen to what we want to hear. What we want to hear is driven by our life experiences and beliefs, not necessarily facts and truth.

It Started with Fox News

Fox News has established itself as a dominant force in American media, particularly among conservative audiences. Founded in 1996 by Rupert Murdoch and Roger Ailes, Fox News quickly differentiated itself from other news networks by offering a conservative-only perspective on news and politics. This strategic positioning allowed it to tap into a substantial segment of the American population that felt underserved by mainstream media outlets.

The power of Fox News lies in its ability to shape public opinion. Through a combination of opinionated and entertainment talk shows, selective reporting, and a focus on certain narratives, Fox News has crafted a media ecosystem that reinforces specific viewpoints. The network’s prime-time lineup, featuring personalities like Sean Hannity, Jesse Watters (who replaced Tucker Carlson), and Laura Ingraham, has been particularly effective in promoting conservative ideologies and political figures, most notably Donald Trump.

Fox is the only news organization that is embedded and directly involved in political campaigns and a political party. Legitimate news organizations do not directly engage in politics, candidates, and political parties. They report information and stories associated with all political views. That line is getting blurred even with other news organizations today on both sides.

Fox hosts often blur the line between news and opinion, presenting their opinions and interpretations as facts and fostering a sense of distrust in other media sources. They are driven by ratings and audience size, not real news and truth. The National Enquirer is the originator of the business model, which is followed by Fox News. The more you exaggerate and twist information and polarize people, the bigger your audience will get. The business model has worked. Today, Fox News is the most watched and profitable news organization in the United States.

The Evangelical Movement and Its Political Clout

The Evangelical movement in the United States wields significant political influence, particularly within the Republican Party. Evangelicals constitute a substantial voting bloc that has been instrumental in shaping the party’s platform and candidate selection. Their political engagement is driven by a combination of religious beliefs and social issues, such as opposition to abortion and same-sex marriage, which align closely with conservative policies.

Donald Trump’s presidency saw an unprecedented alignment between him and Evangelical leaders. Despite his personal history and behavior, which might traditionally conflict with Evangelical values, Trump managed to secure their support through policy promises and actions that resonated with their priorities. These included appointing conservative judges, defending religious freedoms, and moving the U.S. embassy in Israel to Jerusalem. Evangelical leaders, in turn, framed Trump as a divinely appointed leader, further solidifying his support within their communities.

Propaganda and the Perception of Truth

Propaganda has played a crucial role in shaping the political landscape surrounding Donald Trump. By definition, propaganda involves the dissemination of information—often biased or misleading—to promote a particular political cause or point of view. In the context of Trump’s rise and tenure, propaganda has taken various forms, including media narratives, social media campaigns, and statements from political and religious leaders.

Fox News has been a significant vehicle for propagating these narratives, often emphasizing themes of patriotism, anti-elitism, and cultural identity. These narratives have created a compelling story that resonates with many Americans by portraying Trump as a champion of the common people fighting against a corrupt establishment. This portrayal is bolstered by conspiracy theories and misinformation, which are frequently amplified through social media platforms and fringe websites.

The Belief in a Higher Cause

For supporters of Donald Trump, the narratives propagated by Fox News and the Evangelical movement represent a higher cause. They believe they are engaged in a battle to save the country from perceived threats, including socialism, secularism, and moral decay. This belief is deeply ingrained and often resistant to counter-evidence, as it is reinforced by trusted media sources, religious leaders, and community networks.

It is important to remember that Trump supporters passionately believe the messages and fears portrayed by Fox News, the Trump campaign, and the Republican Party. They genuinely believe they are fighting for the survival of America.

Most are not inherently driven by hatred; rather, they are influenced by misinformation and fear. This fear can manifest in behaviors that appear hateful, but understanding the root cause is crucial for fostering productive dialogue and bridging divides. Specifically, they see threats such as:

1. Socialism: Many Trump supporters fear that progressive policies advocated by Democrats will lead to socialism, which they believe will undermine individual freedoms and economic opportunities.
2. Secularism: There is a strong belief among Trump supporters that secular policies threaten Christian religious beliefs and the moral fabric of the nation.
3. Moral Decay: Concerns about issues like same-sex marriage, abortion, and changes in traditional family structures are viewed as signs of moral decline.
4. Globalism: Many Trump supporters are wary of globalism, fearing it will erode national sovereignty and negatively impact American workers through trade agreements and immigration policies.
5. Elite Corruption: There is a pervasive belief that the political and economic elite are corrupt and out of touch with the needs and values of ordinary Americans.
6. Media Bias: Trump supporters often believe that mainstream media outlets are biased against them and their viewpoints, leading to distrust in these sources.

Perceived Threats from Those Who Oppose Trump

On the other hand, Democrats and liberals also perceive their actions and beliefs as defending America’s core values against perceived threats posed by Trump and his supporters. They view themselves as champions of democracy, social justice, and human rights, often seeing the MAGA movement as undermining these principles. Specifically, they see threats such as:

1. Erosion of Democratic Norms: Democrats and liberals believe that Trump’s actions, such as questioning the legitimacy of elections and undermining the independence of the judiciary, pose a direct threat to democratic institutions.
2. Social Justice and Equality: They view Trump’s policies and rhetoric as exacerbating racial, gender, and economic inequalities. Actions like the rollback of protections for LGBTQ+ individuals, the handling of racial justice protests, and the approach to immigration are seen as regressive.
3. Environmental Policies: Trump’s stance on environmental regulations and climate change, including withdrawing from the Paris Agreement and rolling back environmental protections, is perceived as a threat to global efforts to combat climate change.
4. Healthcare: The attempts to dismantle the Affordable Care Act without a viable replacement are viewed as a direct threat to the health and well-being of millions of Americans.
5. Human Rights: The administration’s approach to issues such as family separation at the border and the treatment of asylum seekers is seen as a violation of human rights principles.
6. International Relations: Trump’s foreign policy, characterized by withdrawing from international agreements and alliances, is perceived as diminishing America’s standing and leadership on the global stage.

Both sides feel a profound sense of urgency and righteousness, driving a passionate and uncompromising stance that pits them against each other. The Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement’s animosity towards Democrats, liberals, and others stems from a genuine belief that they are patriots defending America against perceived threats. Just as those who oppose Trump and his movement view him as a threat to the nation, MAGA supporters see Democrats and liberals as endangering the country.

Both sides perceive their beliefs as truth, real, and believable, resulting in deep-seated passion and an often uncompromising stance. This fervent conviction and love for the country have created a no-compromise battle, with each side convinced they are saving America while viewing the other as intent on destroying it.

Economic Despair in both Urban and Rural America

Since the 1960s, many Americans, have felt left out of the American dream. They have experienced the loss of manufacturing jobs to overseas markets, stagnant wages, and the daily struggle to make ends meet. This sense of economic despair has left many feeling angry and victimized.

Rural areas have been decimated economically, with small towns showing clear signs of decline. All one needs to do is drive through any rural town to witness the reality of those who live there—empty storefronts, deteriorating infrastructure, and a palpable sense of abandonment.

To them, Making America Great Again means bringing back the lost prosperity they once had and restoring the sense of financial security in their lives.

Let’s Stop the Civil War

We need to end this modern-day verbal and social media civil war and drive home the fact that both sides are Americans. Families are being split apart, and friendships are being split apart all over deep political beliefs.

Both sides are being driven by misinformation and propaganda fueled by the media and politicians for their own benefit and agenda. For example, Fox News is driven by profits, not truth. The same can be said for CNN and other media outlets. The 24-hour news coverage has created a need to use most airtime for opinion and entertainment that falsely portrays itself as news and truth. Social media platforms, with their focus on engagement and revenue, prioritize arguments, fighting, and anger over truth and constructive dialogue. These platforms thrive on sensationalism and conflict, often exacerbating divisions and misinformation.

Online interactions with strangers only magnify differences and create more division. Recognizing this can help us approach conversations with more empathy and a willingness to find common ground.

How to Have a Productive Conversation

In today’s times engaging in a productive conversation with those who hold different views requires patience, empathy, and a strategic approach. Here are some key strategies:

1. Find Common Ground: Start by identifying shared values or concerns. This helps to establish a connection and shows that you are not there to attack their beliefs but to have a constructive dialogue.
2. Listen Actively: Allow the other person to express their views fully without interruption. Active listening demonstrates respect and can open the door to more meaningful exchanges.
3. Ask Open-Ended Questions: Encourage the other person to explain their viewpoints by asking questions that require more than a yes or no answer. This can lead to a deeper understanding of their perspective and provide opportunities to introduce new information gently.
4. Stay Calm and Respectful: Heated arguments are rarely productive. Maintain a calm demeanor and avoid personal attacks, which can cause defensiveness and shut down the conversation.
5. Use Evidence and Personal Stories: When presenting counterarguments, use credible sources and data. Personal stories or examples that illustrate the real-world impact of policies can also be very persuasive. This is the most challenging point to work with and achieve since data, sources, and even personal experiences get labeled as fake news.

Conclusion

Understanding the root causes of Trump’s strong support is essential for fostering productive dialogue and bridging the divide in our nation. Attacking supporters only deepens the rift and perpetuates the cycle of misinformation and fear.

By recognizing the deeply held beliefs and fears on both sides, we can begin to address the underlying issues and work towards a more united and empathetic society.

Ending this modern-day verbal and online civil war requires empathy, patience, and a commitment to seeking common ground and real truth. Only by doing so can we hope to heal the divisions and move forward together as Americans.

In the end, no matter how strong our personal beliefs, we must accept that America is a free country with free speech and freedom to vote as we individually choose.

Rather than fighting and arguing, our time would be better spent getting everyone we know out to vote and letting them know that elections and voting matter. Most Americans don’t vote, and there lies the problem. After the election, people who did not vote then complain about the outcome.