[View here as a Twitter thread]
Someone on Twitter asked me why low income people are supporting Trump, even though Trump helps the rich, and not them.
This makes perfect sense in the context of a fascist leadership cult.
1/ People who value liberal democracy expect the government to make their lives better. Fascism isn’t about improving the lives of the people. Fascism is about protecting the people from enemies. Fascism is usually fueled by popular support.
2/ Trump followers are grateful that he’s protecting them from dangers like diversity, liberals, foreigners, etc. To Trump’s critics, he is stoking fears and inventing enemies. The fascist leader rises to power by creating “us” versus “them” politics.
3/ ” We’re good. They’re are evil, and they’re corrupting the purity of the nation.” For Trump’s followers, “They” includes the liberals. Trump’s followers believe Trump’s values represent the “real” America.
4/ Followers in a leadership cult believe the leader’s instincts are superior to the science and rational thinking used by elites. They don’t mind if Trump lies and cheats. They think ALL politicians lie and cheat—because for years, now, that’s what they’ve been told.
5/ They figure Trump may be a liar and cheater and thief, but he’s their liar. HRC and Obama are the enemy liars. They buy into the myth that America the land where self-made men (yes, I meant ‘men’) take advantage of opportunities don’t need government “handouts.”
6/ Many of them are willing to trade their own freedom for security. Others don’t understand exactly what they’re voting for—but they’re happy with what they see as a powerful, mesmerizing leader willing to stick it to their enemies (Democrats, liberals, Mexicans, etc)
