Why do people still support Trump after all this? 5 things to understand about the MAGA fan mindset

For many people, especially those leaning left, Donald Trump’s disqualification as president seems obvious, leading some to ask: How can anyone still vote for Trump?

Some of the evidence Trump’s critics cite includes himself two impeachments, numerous indictments at the state and federal levels and a criminal conviction. Opponents also claim that Trump is threat to democracy, misogynist, racistAND serial liar AND rapist.

About 78% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independent voters say this Trump broke the law when he allegedly tried to overturn the 2020 election results. But less than half Republicans believe he did something wrong.

I am anthropologist of peace and conflictand I have been studying what I call the Trumpiverse since 2015 when Trump rode down the golden escalator and announced his candidacy for president. Later in 2021, I wrote a related book called “It can happen here“

I recently researched toxic polarization and how to stop it. Many efforts to reduce people’s polarized views begin with the imperative: Listen and understand.

Why do people vote for Trump?

To that end, I have attended Trump rallies, populist and nonpartisan events, and gatherings where Democrats and Republicans connect and talk. Along the way, I talked to Trump supporters ranging from Make America Great Again, or MAGA, faithful to “hold your nose and vote for him” moderate conservatives.

Indeed, many on the left do not understand who Trump voters are and how different they are. Trump’s base cannot be simply dismissed as racist “deplorables.”” as Hillary Clinton famously said in 2016, or country idiots in red MAGA hats. Trump voter trend older, white, rural, religious AND less educated. But they also include others outside of these demographic groups.

Many people have thoughtful reasons for voting for Trump, even if their reasoning – like that of the left – is often incited by populist polarizers and media platforms.

Here are five key lines of reasoning that, in various combinations, influence Trump voters’ choice.

A man dressed in a dark suit stands in front of a large crowd of people who are looking to the future.

1. Media distortion

Where the left sees many of Trump’s flaws, the right can see what some political observers call Trump Disorder Syndromesometimes called simply TDS.

According to this argument, the left-wing media analyzes Trump’s every word and then distorts his words. I have discovered that some Trump supporters believe that people who over-feed on this supposedly biased media diet can get TDS and develop a passionate, perhaps illogical dislike of Trump.

I have also heard staunch Trump supporters argue – without any evidence – that “fake news” outlets like CNN are part of larger plot with deep condition the federal government to overturn the will of the people. This conspiracy, according to those who propagate it, involves not only leftists, government bureaucrats and people claiming to be Republicans, but they’re not really Republicansbut also those involved in law enforcement.

Some Trump supporters also see validity in his claim is unjustly persecutedas some see January 6 defendants be persecuted.

2. Bread on the table, money in the bank

“Are you there better than you were four years ago?

For many Trump voters, the answer to Ronald Reagan’s famous question is a clear: “No.” They remember Trump’s term clearly as one of the tax cuts, economic growth AND stock market peaks.

It is true that the total number of employees and the average salary rose under President Joe Biden. But for some Trump supporters, this economic boost pales in comparison to the massive increase in inflation during Biden’s term prices increase by almost 20%. While the inflation rate has dropped recentlyprices remain high – as voters are reminded every day at the grocery store.

Polls also show that Trump has a clear advantage over Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris in terms of how they will handle the economy, i.e. the greatest concern of votersespecially Republicans.

3. Border invasion

Another reason some Americans want to vote for Trump: immigration.

Like inflation, the number the number of people crossing the border illegally has increased under Biden.

This massive influx “illegal aliens,” as Trump calls themhe fell to his lowest level in four years in July 2024. This happened after the Biden administration made it harder for immigrants apply for asylum on the U.S.-Mexico border, a policy measure consistent with the approach of many Republicans.

In 2022, the poll showed 7 out of 10 Republicans concerned that “open borders” are part of a Democratic plot to expand liberal power by replacing conservative white people with foreigners of color.

Trump has exploited some people’s largely false fears that immigrants living in the U.S. illegally are impostors and will not assimilate, as illustrated by the recent – false – allegations that immigrants eat pets in Ohio.

In 2022, 82% of Republicans said yes they saw immigration as a “very important” issue. Trump continues to tout his proposed solution, which includes closing the border, building a wall and deportation 11 million immigrants who live in the US without legal permission.

A crowd of people stand outside on a gray day in front of three large signs showing a man dressed in a Wild West costume with the words

4. Proven record

Some Trump voters are simply comparing the Trump and Biden-Harris records and finding that the odds tilt heavily in Trump’s favor.

And it’s not just about the economy and immigration.

There have been no new wars under Trump. In turn, Biden-Harris is burdened by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and Israel’s invasion of the Gaza Strip. This is the opinion of Trump supporters American taxpayers cover a large part of the bill, even though other countries do so as well giving money to Ukraineand Israel is actually buys a gun from the USA

I’ve found that Trump’s supporters also think he’s doing a better job of… growing power and threat With China.

5. MAGA bull in a china shop

While some Harris supporters lament Trump’s destruction of democracy and decency in politics, I found that Trump voters see a charismatic MAGA hunk in a china shop.

Precisely because Trump is an unrelenting pugilist or warrior – which he showed by raising his fist after assassination attempt against him in July – that he should be elected, his supporters believe.

Some even see it as Savior – who will save the USA from the apocalypse of the “radical left”.

For these Trump supporters, MAGA is not just a slogan. In the Trumpiverse, it is a movement to save an America that is on the brink of failure.

This article has been republished from Conversationan independent, nonprofit organization providing facts and trusted analysis to help you understand our complex world. It was written by: Alex Hinton, Rutgers University Newark

Read more:

Alexander Hinton receives funding from the Rutgers-Newark Center for the Study of Politics and Race in America.