For many people, especially those leaning to the left, Donald Trump’s disqualifications for the presidency seem obvious, causing several questions: How can people still vote for Trump?
Some of the evidence cited by Trump’s critics include two impeachments, multiple criminal indictments at the state and federal levels and felony convictions. Opponents also say that Trump is a threat to democracy, a misogynist, a racist, a serial liar and a rapist.
About 78% of Democratic and independent voters say Trump broke the law when he was accused of trying to overturn the results of the 2020 election. But less than half of Republicans think he did anything wrong.
I’m an anthropologist of peace and conflict, and I’ve been studying the so-called Trumpiverse since 2015, when Trump descended the golden escalator and announced his candidacy for president. I then wrote a related book in 2021, called “It Could Happen.”
Most recently, I’ve been examining toxic polarization – and how to stop it. Many efforts to reduce people’s polarized views begin with the commandment: Listen and understand.
To this end, I have attended Trump rallies, populist and nonpartisan events and meetings where Democrats and Republicans connect and talk. Along the way, I’ve spoken to Trump supporters ranging from Make America Great Again, or MAGA, loyal moderate “hold your nose and vote for him” conservatives.
And indeed, many on the left have no idea who Trump voters are and how different they are. Trump’s base cannot simply be dismissed as a racist “village,” as Hillary Clinton said in 2016, or as country bumpkins in red MAGA hats. Trump voters tend to be older, white, rural, religious and less educated. But it includes others outside of that demographic group.
Many people have sensible reasons for voting for Trump, even if those reasons — like those on the left — are often poisoned by populist polarizers and media platforms.
Here are five main reasons that, in different combinations, informed the choice of Trump voters.
1. Media distortion
Where those on the left see many of Trump’s failings, those on the right can see what some political observers call Trump Derangement Syndrome, sometimes simply referred to as TDS.
According to this line of argument, the left-leaning media dissects Trump’s every word, and the media then distorts what he says. I have found that some Trump supporters think that people who feed too much on this alleged biased media diet can get TDS and develop a passionate, perhaps illogical dislike of Trump.
I’ve also heard die-hard Trump supporters argue, without evidence, that “fake news” media outlets, like CNN, are part of a deeper state plot by the federal government to sway the will of the people. This plot, according to those spreading it, includes not only leftists, government bureaucrats and people who claim to be Republicans, but really aren’t, but also people in law enforcement.
Some Trump supporters also see merit in the claim that he was wrongfully persecuted, just as some see the January 6 defendants as being persecuted.
2. Bread on the table, money in the bank
“Are you better than you were four years ago?”
For many Trump voters, the answer to Ronald Reagan’s famous question is clear: “No.” He accurately remembered Trump’s term as one of tax cuts, economic growth and a high stock market.
Indeed, the number of workers and the average salary increased under President Joe Biden. But for some Trump supporters, the economic boost pales in comparison to the massive inflation during Biden’s term, with prices rising nearly 20%. While the inflation rate has recently fallen, prices remain high – as voters are reminded every day in stores.
Polls also show that Trump has a strong lead over Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris on how to deal with the economy, a top concern among voters, especially Republicans.
3. A border invasion
Another reason some Americans want to vote for Trump: immigration.
Like inflation, the number of people crossing the border illegally has risen under Biden.
The large influx of “illegal aliens”, as Trump called them, dropped to the lowest level in four years in July 2024. This happened after the Biden administration made it difficult for immigrants to request asylum at the US-Mexico border, policy. a measure that aligns with the approach of many Republicans.
In 2022, the poll found 7 in 10 Republicans worry that “open borders” are part of a Democratic plan to expand liberal power by replacing conservative whites with non-white foreigners.
Trump has played on some of the usual false concerns of immigrants who live illegally in the US as freeloaders and will not assimilate, as illustrated by the recent – untrue – allegations that immigrants eat pets in Ohio.
In 2022, 82% of Republicans said they view immigration as a “very important” issue. Trump continues to present his proposed solutions, including closing the border, building a wall and deporting the 11 million immigrants living in the US without legal authorization.
4. A proven record
Some Trump voters simply compared the Trump and Biden-Harris records and found that the tally was skewed in Trump’s favor.
And it’s not just about the economy and immigration.
There is no new war under Trump. Biden-Harris, in contrast, is saddled with the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip. The perception of Trump supporters is that American taxpayers foot the bulk of the bill, even though other countries also give money to Ukraine, and Israel actually buys weapons from the US.
I have found that Trump supporters also think he is better suited to deal with China’s rising power and threat.
5. MAGA bull in a china shop
While some Harris supporters bemoan Trump’s destruction of democracy and decency in politics, I find that Trump voters see a charismatic MAGA bull in a china shop.
It’s because Trump is such a relentless pugilist, or fighter — as he showed when he raised his fists after an assassination attempt in July — that he should be elected, supporters believe.
Some even see him as a savior – someone who will save the US from the “radical left” apocalypse.
For those Trump stalwarts, MAGA is not just a slogan. In the Trumpiverse, it’s a movement to save America that is on the brink of failure.
This article is republished from The Conversation, an independent not-for-profit news organization that brings you reliable facts and analysis to help you make sense of a complex world. It was written by: Alex Hinton, Rutgers University – Newark
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Alexander Hinton received a grant from the Rutgers-Newark Center for the Study of Politics and Race in America.
