It has been a year since Donald J Trump formally announced his desire to become America’s next top president. And what a thrilling year it has been! He has done the political equivalent of running through the gauntlet. Starting off in a field of sixteen competitors, he has had to contend with a hostile media, two political parties that openly despise him, a legion of political pundits and columnists prophesying his imminent demise, and a presiding administration that finds him abhorrent. It is truly unbelievable that he has come out the other end with such a strong, loyal following, let alone the Republican nominee.
To be a Trump Supporter
It was the prevailing opinion that with such hurdles, Trump would never be able to keep the voters on his side. His voters would eventually, under the torrent of criticism, see the light, and abandon his cause. And yet, his voting bloc seems to becoming bigger and bigger, and more and more convicted in their decision to stay with him. It is this turn of events that has caused me to ponder why and provide a few possible explanations.
- Those who dislike Trump, are not happy with just criticising Trump, they always take it one step further and criticise his supporters. It is a tactical error to try and get someone to believe in your view, while calling them stupid. They become defensive and dismissive of whatever you have to say. In the end they will leave the discussion less inclined to change their opinions.
- People are already on the whole sceptical of the media and the political establishment. They no longer presume that politicians want the best for their country, or that journalists simply disseminate factual information. In fact, it seems to be quite the opposite. Journalists have come to represent a group of people defined by their agenda, rather than their desire for the truth. While politicians have become defined by their desire for a glamorous career, rather than their desire to act according to their voters wishes. It is this difference in viewpoint that has caused the political establishment and the media to over-estimate their powers of persuasion.
- Trump doesn’t apologise. He is often requested by hostile journalists to apologise, yet he hasn’t never even once apologised. And why would you apologise on the behest of someone who is never going to vote for you anyway. His loyalty is with his supporters, and therefore he will not play by the rules or the dictations of those who do not support him.
- People are sick of being told there are some things you just can’t do. Want a wall? Oh no, no, you can’t do that. Want to ban Muslim immigration? No, no, no, you can’t do that. Want to put America’s interests first? No, no, no, remember we are now all citizens of the world. No one country can come first. It is really rather tiresome. I would much prefer those who disagree with Trump to say, yes, you can do that, but I wouldn’t for these reasons…
Trump Toxic? Not so sure…
I am not a fan of Trump. I actually find his mannerisms crude and his rhetoric affronting. But I started to rethink the position of his supporters when I looked at the behaviour of his opponents from the perspective of a Trump supporter. From the violent ‘brown shirt’ methods applied at Trump rallies, to the media portrayals of Trump supporters, it is not Trump that I am finding so toxic anymore, it is the responses of his opponents directed at his supporters.