Guardian Editorial - Why do people keep voting for Donald Trump?

This week Guardian columnist George Monbiot explored the psychology of Trump’s seeming unbendable appeal to a large section of the American electorate. Below is an edited extract. 

Many explanations are proposed for the continued rise of Donald Trump, and the steadfastness of his support, even as the outrages and criminal charges pile up. Some of these explanations are powerful. But there is one which could, I believe, be the most important: Trump is king of the extrinsics.

 

Some psychologists believe our values tend to cluster around certain poles, described as “intrinsic” and “extrinsic”.

 

People with a strong set of intrinsic values are inclined towards empathy, intimacy and self-acceptance. They tend to be open to challenge and change, interested in universal rights and equality, and protective of other people and the living world.

 

People at the extrinsic end of the spectrum are more attracted to prestige, status, image, fame, power and wealth. They are strongly motivated by the prospect of individual reward and praise. They are more likely to objectify and exploit other people, to behave rudely and aggressively and to dismiss social and environmental impacts. They have little interest in co-operation or community. People with a strong set of extrinsic values are more likely to suffer from frustration, dissatisfaction, stress, anxiety, anger and compulsive behaviour.

 

Trump exemplifies extrinsic values. From the tower bearing his name in gold letters to his gross overstatements of his wealth; from his endless ranting about “winners” and “losers” to his reported habit of cheating at golf. Trump, perhaps more than any other public figure in recent history, is a walking, talking monument to extrinsic values. ...

 

When a society valorises status, money, power and dominance, it is bound to generate frustration. It is mathematically impossible for everyone to be number one. The more the economic elites grab, the more everyone else must lose. 

 

Someone must be blamed for the ensuing disappointment. In a culture that worships winners, it can’t be them. It must be those evil people pursuing a kinder world, in which wealth is distributed, no one is forgotten and communities and the living planet are protected. Those who have developed a strong set of extrinsic values will vote for the person who represents them, the person who has what they want. Trump. 

 

And where the US goes, the rest of us follow. 

 

I don't agree that where the US goes the rest of us follow.

As they become more of a basket case, the less inclined others are to follow. Europe and the UK seem aghast with the direction the US is taking even while seemingly moving to the right.

Here we currently have a right wing government but that is definitely not baked in and we don't have the rich elite lording it over us on anything like the scale of the US.

To get rid of Trump he needs to be decisively beaten at the ballot box. The various court cases against him will only increase his support even in the unlikely event they come to a conclusion before the election.

And unfortunately I can't see how he can be defeated decisively with Biden running against him.

It seems the only way we are to be rid of him is if he dies.

SJB: Europe and the UK seem aghast with the direction the US is taking even while seemingly moving to the right.

Sideface: Guardian Editorial - Why do people keep voting for Donald Trump?

 

This week Guardian columnist George Monbiot explored the psychology of Trump’s seeming unbendable appeal to a large section of the American electorate. Below is an edited extract. 

 

Many explanations are proposed for the continued rise of Donald Trump, and the steadfastness of his support, even as the outrages and criminal charges pile up. Some of these explanations are powerful. But there is one which could, I believe, be the most important: Trump is king of the extrinsics.

 

Some psychologists believe our values tend to cluster around certain poles, described as “intrinsic” and “extrinsic”.

 

People with a strong set of intrinsic values are inclined towards empathy, intimacy and self-acceptance. They tend to be open to challenge and change, interested in universal rights and equality, and protective of other people and the living world.

 

People at the extrinsic end of the spectrum are more attracted to prestige, status, image, fame, power and wealth. They are strongly motivated by the prospect of individual reward and praise. They are more likely to objectify and exploit other people, to behave rudely and aggressively and to dismiss social and environmental impacts. They have little interest in co-operation or community. People with a strong set of extrinsic values are more likely to suffer from frustration, dissatisfaction, stress, anxiety, anger and compulsive behaviour.

 

Trump exemplifies extrinsic values. From the tower bearing his name in gold letters to his gross overstatements of his wealth; from his endless ranting about “winners” and “losers” to his reported habit of cheating at golf. Trump, perhaps more than any other public figure in recent history, is a walking, talking monument to extrinsic values.

 

When a society valorises status, money, power and dominance, it is bound to generate frustration. It is mathematically impossible for everyone to be number one. The more the economic elites grab, the more everyone else must lose. 

 

Someone must be blamed for the ensuing disappointment. In a culture that worships winners, it can’t be them. It must be those evil people pursuing a kinder world, in which wealth is distributed, no one is forgotten and communities and the living planet are protected. Those who have developed a strong set of extrinsic values will vote for the person who represents them, the person who has what they want. Trump.

George nailed it.

 

kingdragonfly: The Independent: Trump thinks he’s more popular than Taylor Swift

...  The president reportedly said last month that it was “obviously” nonsensical that he was not declared Time magazine’s Person of the Year in 2023 – instead of her.

 

Remember this?

This bogus cover, dated March 1, 2009, was not published by Time.

Trump Organization Asked to Take Down Fake TIME Covers Displayed in Several Golf Clubs Worldwide

Sideface: Remember this?

 

 

This bogus cover, dated March 1, 2009, was not published by Time.

 

Trump Organization Asked to Take Down Fake TIME Covers Displayed in Several Golf Clubs Worldwide

 

C'mon Photoshoppers, you can do better than this! 

Like:

TRUMP IS HITTING ON EVERYONE - EVEN ON TV!

Obama's Next Move - Nominates Trump to fill vacancy in Mars Astronaut training program.

Kingdragonfly   On the UK ...

That's what happens when the other choice was Jeremy Corbyn.
UK Labour party has a few other problems.
Proportional Representation may better sort the place out, such a change is unlikely.

Looks like Boris Johnson is trying to get back in Rupert Murdock good graces by saying that Trump becoming President would be best thing for the world. 

Boris Johnson says Trump back in White House is ‘what the world needs’
Ex-PM backs disgraced former US president ahead of election, saying he ‘won’t ditch the Ukrainians’
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024/jan/19/boris-johnson-says-trump-back-in-white-house-is-what-the-world-needs

Have all the toffs been licking their fancy hat brims. 

Boris who?

UK Labour will win easily next time so get ready for Mr Grey aka Sir Keir Starmer. Won't be any better than the current lot but will spend more money that isn't theirs.

Corbyn was worse than a no-hoper.

kingdragonfly: The Independent: Trump thinks he’s more popular than Taylor Swift

Donald Trump has reportedly been grousing about Taylor Swift’s popularity amid speculation that she’s set to endorse President Joe Biden.

Swift is yet to issue an endorsement of any candidate...

Some conspiracy-minded conservatives have even convinced themselves that this year’s NFL season has been rigged to provide a Super Bowl platform for Swift alongside her boyfriend Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs.

Now, an individual close to Mr Trump has told Rolling Stone magazine that allies of the former president are preparing for a “holy war” against the pop star.

Mr Trump has argued in private that celebrity endorsements won’t help Mr Biden, claiming that he’s “more popular” than the pop star and that his fans are more committed than hers, according to Rolling Stone.

The president reportedly said last month that it was “obviously” nonsensical that he was not declared Time magazine’s Person of the Year in 2023 – instead of her.
...

I think you ignore or oppose the phenomenon that is the rabid fanbase of Swifties at your peril. 

They're not just underage kids with no ability to vote - there's a massive fanbase who see her (for some weird reason) as the Messiah. 

SHe's not just popular - she's achieved something well beyond that. I am not personally a fan of her music, lifestyle (private jet to somewhere close by, anyone?) or her fanbase, but you cannot take them lightly - Swifties are like rabid dogs when they feel that the Blessed One has been slighted. 

Trump may have made a grave mistake here...

"Trump may have made a grave mistake here..."

Hope that's literal!