The Mass Psychology of Trumpism
Summary
TLDRThe video script explores the enduring appeal of Donald Trump, suggesting that his support stems from a perception that he embodies a 'liminal' figure—superhuman yet lacking certain human qualities. Drawing parallels with historical figures and psychological profiles, the script delves into Trump's persona as a TV character and a superhero, positing that his charisma and the entertainment he provides at rallies contribute to his base's loyalty. It also touches on the role of authoritarianism in Trump's rhetoric and its resonance with his followers, who view him as a protector against perceived threats.
Takeaways
- 🗳️ The script discusses the possibility of Donald Trump winning another presidential election and the implications for American society.
- 🤔 It questions why Trump, despite being twice impeached and facing criminal charges, remains favored by a significant portion of the electorate.
- 🧐 The author suggests that Trump's appeal may stem from the perception that he is 'more than a person' and 'less than a person' to his supporters.
- 📚 A reference is made to Henry A. Murray's psychological study of Satan, drawing parallels between the traits attributed to Satan and those seen in Trump by some psychologists.
- 🦸♂️ Trump sees himself as a superhero and projects an image of infallibility, which resonates with his supporters despite a lack of introspection or emotional depth.
- 📺 The script highlights Trump's TV persona from 'The Apprentice' and how it has shaped the public's perception of him, creating strong emotional bonds.
- 🎭 It is argued that Trump's behavior is more akin to a TV character than a 'full-fledged person,' with actions driven by what would make for good television rather than personal motivations.
- 🎉 The enjoyment and thrill Trump provides at his rallies are highlighted, with supporters experiencing a sense of belonging and fun alongside expressions of anger.
- 🤝 Trump's appeal among certain demographics is linked to his ability to channel grievances and present himself as a protector of the 'ingroup' against perceived threats.
- 🛡️ The script touches on the authoritarian traits attributed to Trump and how they are embraced by some supporters who view him as a strongman figure.
- 🎭 The final point is that Trump's persona transcends his actual personhood, becoming a mythologized figure that will continue to influence American culture regardless of electoral outcomes.
Q & A
What is the main argument presented by Mark Liovic in the transcript?
-Mark Liovic argues that Donald Trump's enduring appeal stems from the perception that he is not a person in the traditional sense, but rather a figure who is both more and less than a person, embodying qualities of a superhero without the full emotional depth of a human.
What comparison does Liovic make between Donald Trump and the depiction of Satan in Henry A. Murray's study?
-Liovic compares Trump to the depiction of Satan in Murray's study, noting that both are characterized by malignant narcissism, a desire for supreme power, and a lack of compassion and empathy, yet possess charisma and charm.
How does Liovic describe Trump's self-perception in relation to his supporters?
-Liovic suggests that Trump perceives himself as a force for good and as qualitatively different from the rest of humankind, often comparing himself to a superhero and believing in his own infallibility.
What role does Trump play in the minds of his supporters according to the transcript?
-In the minds of his supporters, Trump is a liminal figure who is superhuman in some ways but also lacks certain qualities that most people possess, making him a figure who is more than a person but less than a person too.
How does the transcript explain the emotional effect Trump has on his supporters at rallies?
-The transcript explains that Trump evokes a sense of enjoyment, thrill, and belonging at his rallies, with his supporters experiencing positive feelings and a sense of camaraderie alongside expressions of anger and resentment.
What does the term 'Jouissance' refer to in the context of the transcript?
-In the context of the transcript, 'Jouissance' refers to a kind of delicious enjoyment that borders on farce and shamelessness, describing the fun and thrill that Trump's supporters experience, even when it involves expressions of anger or resentment.
What is the significance of the 'Rainman' comparison made by Steve Bannon in the transcript?
-The 'Rainman' comparison signifies that Trump, like the character in the movie, may be perceived as deficient in certain basic human aptitudes but has embraced a persona that makes him a unique and powerful figure in the eyes of his supporters.
How does the transcript describe the role of authoritarian leaders in making their followers feel good?
-The transcript describes authoritarian leaders as making their followers feel good by proclaiming them to be good people and their enemies as bad, creating a stark division between the in-group and out-group and presenting themselves as protectors with special powers.
What does the transcript suggest about the potential for Trump to return to the White House?
-The transcript suggests that while Trump has enduring support and a unique appeal, it remains an open question whether this will be enough for him to return to the White House, given that he has never won the popular vote and his approval ratings have not reached 50%.
How does the transcript characterize the mythological status of Trump in the minds of Americans?
-The transcript characterizes Trump as a remarkable criminal figure and a personified entity around which mythologies are made, existing as more than a person could ever be and much less in the minds of millions of Americans.
Outlines
😲 The Perplexing Appeal of Donald Trump
The first paragraph delves into the enduring support for Donald Trump despite his controversial political history and personal flaws. It explores the idea that Trump's appeal may stem from a perception that he embodies both more and less than a person, drawing parallels with the mythical figure of Satan as analyzed by Harvard psychologist Henry A. Murray. The comparison highlights Trump's charismatic yet self-centered and vindictive nature, suggesting that his supporters view him as a superhuman figure, exempt from conventional norms and capable of extraordinary feats, which may explain their unwavering loyalty.
🎭 The TV Persona and Authoritarian Charm of Trump
The second paragraph examines Trump's persona as a TV character and its impact on his supporters, who have formed strong emotional bonds with him through shows like 'The Apprentice.' It discusses how Trump's behavior is more akin to that of a TV character than a typical person, with a narrative vacuum at the core of his personality. The paragraph also touches on the enjoyment and thrill that Trump's rallies provide, suggesting that his supporters relish in the entertainment value and the sense of belonging they experience. Furthermore, it explores the role of Trump as a 'lional' figure, who is seen as possessing superhuman qualities while also lacking certain human attributes, which paradoxically enhances his appeal among his base.
🤔 The Authoritarian Attraction and Trump's Persona
The third paragraph focuses on the authoritarian allure of Trump's leadership style and the psychological dynamics at play among his supporters. It discusses how authoritarian leaders, like Trump, create a stark division between the 'good' in-group and the 'evil' out-group, using rhetoric that reinforces their followers' sense of identity and superiority. The paragraph also examines the role of enjoyment and the 'JO' effect, a French term for a guilty pleasure that combines fun with a sense of outrage. It suggests that Trump's supporters derive pleasure from his taunting and defiance, which aligns with their perception of him as a strongman with a providential mission. The paragraph concludes by questioning whether Trump's unique appeal will be sufficient for a return to the White House, acknowledging his enduring presence in the minds of many Americans.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Authoritarianism
💡Malignant Narcissism
💡Parasocial Bonds
💡Superhero
💡Persona
💡Incohate Rage
💡Jouissance
💡Divisive Rhetoric
💡Nationalism
💡Fascist Rhetoric
Highlights
Author Mark Liovic warns that if Trump wins again, Americans must let go of the notion that his support is not representative of who they are.
Trump's appeal is questioned, especially considering his impeachments and criminal charges, yet he remains favored to return to the presidency.
Supporters' unwavering loyalty to Trump, despite his promises of authoritarian rule, is explored as a central theme.
The enduring appeal of Trump is suggested to stem from a perception that he is more and less than a person in the minds of millions.
A comparison is drawn between Trump and the historical depiction of Satan, highlighting similarities in personality traits.
Trump's self-perception as a force for good and his self-comparison to a superhero are discussed as key to his persona.
The lack of introspection or emotional depth in Trump's public persona is noted by interviewers and biographers.
Trump's behavior is likened to that of a TV character, with his actions often predicted by considering what a TV character would do.
The parasocial bonds formed between Trump and his supporters through his TV show 'The Apprentice' are mentioned.
Trump's persona is described as heroic, with his supporters viewing him as a figure who is exempt from conventional norms.
The role of Trump as a channel for the incoherent rage and grievances of his supporters is highlighted.
The enjoyment and thrill experienced by Trump supporters at rallies, alongside expressions of anger, are discussed.
Authoritarian leaders, including Trump, are said to make their followers feel good by proclaiming them as good people against evil enemies.
Trump's potential return to the presidency and the implications of his fascist rhetoric are considered.
The divide between Trump's enduring support and the repugnance he incites in others is examined.
The lasting impact of Trump as a mythologized figure in the minds of millions is predicted, regardless of his political future.
Transcripts
what if Trump wins Mark liovic author of
thank you for your servitude warns if
Trump wins again then we Americans will
need to let go of the soothing notion
that this is not who we are who is we
anyway because it sure seems like a lot
of this we keeps voting for Trump how is
it possible that a twice impeached
former president facing 91 Criminal
can now be favored to return to the Oval
Office why do his supporters not recoil
when Trump promises to unleash an
authoritarian regime as president and to
assume the role of dictator on day one
what explains is enduring appeal
questions like these have been raised
ever since Donald Trump began to gain
political Traction in early 2016 back
then he claimed quite pression that he
could stand in the middle of Fifth
Avenue and shoot somebody and I wouldn't
lose any voters okay since then
countless observers have puzzled over
the unshakable hold he exerts on a vast
swap of the American electorate many
factors economic political cultural
psychological are surely at play in
shaping Trump's abiding relationship
with his supporters my argument as
strange as it might sound is that
Trump's enduring appeal stems from the
perception his own and others that he is
not a person in the minds of millions
Trump is more than than a person and he
is less than a person
[Applause]
too in 1962 a prominent Harvard
psychologist published a scholarly paper
entitled the personality and career of
Satan Henry a Murray examined how for
over 2,000 years Western theologians and
other writers have depicted the mythical
figure of Satan projecting on to him
human traits perennially designated as
evil it is worth noting that Murray's
characterization of Satan Bears an
uncanny resemblance to the psychological
portrait of trump painted by many
psychologists today a malignant
narcissism rages at the core of Satan's
personality cast out of heaven for his
overmastering pride Satan wants to be
God resents the fact that he is not God
and insists that his Supreme worth
entitles him to privileges that nobody
else should enjoy while undergirding his
reign as Sovereign of the mortal world
below wholly self-centered cruel
vindictive and devoid of compassion and
empathy Satan nonetheless possesses
substantial Charisma and charm
completely contractual in his approach
to interpersonal relationships he has
perfected the art of the deal as when in
the Gospel of Luke Satan tempts Jesus
with Earthly powers and riches in return
for his agulation if thou will therefore
worship me all shall be thine situated
in a middle ground between God and human
beings Satan is a Lial figure he is like
a person but not quite a person for one
he is gifted with superhuman powers of
the sort Murray writes that children
have always imagined they might possess
in the furthest reaches of their wish
fulfilling fantasies but he does not
possess certain qualities that adults
especially value and recognize as part
of The Human Condition he lacks wisdom
for example and love he is not troubled
by a complex inner Life by the doubts
ambivalences and moral quandaries that
routinely run through the consciousness
of mature humans he is instead like the
modern conception of a superhero an
idealized personification rather than a
fully articulated person Donald Trump
sees himself in the same way while Trump
insists that he is Force for good rather
than evil he truly perceives himself to
be qualitatively different from the rest
of humankind he has often compared
himself to a superhero he has famously
described himself as a very stable
genius who has never made a mistake he
is not lying when he makes these
outrageous claims for Trump truly
believes them to be true just as he
believes he won the 2020 election
because this election was a fraud just
so you understand this election was a
fraud at the same time Trump is
incapable of describing an inner
psychological life or of identifying
traces of reflection emotional Nuance
doubt or fallibility even though he
talks about himself all the time Trump
has never been able to explain his inner
world or to narrate stories about how he
has come to be the person he is as
frustrated interviewers and biographers
have repeatedly
noted at the center of Trump's
personality lies a narrative vacuum the
space with the self-defining life story
should be but never was as such Trump is
rarely introspective retrospective or
prospective there is no
depth no past and no
future the New York Times television
critic James panoo has observed that the
real Donald Trump is the television
character in trying to predict what
Trump will do p wet cautioned and I
quote him the key is to remember that
Donald Trump is not a person what Pony
WK meant is that Trump's behavior is not
driven by the strategies motivations and
beliefs that we typically attribute to
full-fledged people if you want to gain
insight into Trump ask yourself this
what might happen next on television
what would a TV character do Trump
played himself as a TV character for 14
seasons on The Apprentice millions of
Americans came to know him through that
show establishing what the cognitive
scientist shyra Gabriel and her
colleagues have described as strongly
emotional parasocial bonds with Trump
but even before that going back to the
1980s Trump honed his character to play
a distinctively trumpian protagonist in
life so much so that over time he has
become a heroic character Trump is is
the mighty role and nothing else you
feel it in his
presence Trump loyalist and right-wing
provocator Steve Bannon once described
Trump as the Rainman of nationalism
banon was referencing the 1988 movie
about an artistic Savant played by
Dustin Hoffman like the Rainman Trump
may be perceived as deficient in certain
basic human aptitudes by embracing the
Trump Persona whole heartedly Trump
implicitly concedes that there are
Realms of Human Experience some of which
he may write off as weaknesses that are
completely foreign to him these include
most of the duties of Parenthood and
close friendships showing sympathy for
others in times of need expressing
Fidelity to a cause beyond the self and
apprehending complexity and ambivalence
in life I will say in Trump's defense
and maybe because he's a little bit
autistic he sees the big stuffff he's
like like wait you've got Russia and
China they don't trust each other we
can't let them get together they'll kick
our ass many of Trump's supporters
perceive Trump the way Trump perceives
himself in their minds he is a lional
figure superhuman in some ways but also
lacking certain qualities that most
people for better and For Worse possess
a Lial figure who is more than a person
but less than a person too may not be
subject to the rules and contingencies
that pertain to Reg people conventional
Norms of rectitude and decency do not
apply in the eyes of his supporter Trump
possesses extraordinary powers that are
wielded for good and against evil who
cares if he is flawed so what if he
lacks certain distinctively human
qualities what does it matter that he is
rude authoritarian or even a criminal It
is Well recognized that a key to Trump's
appeal especially among workingclass
white Americans is his ability to
channel and give voice to incoh rage
resentment and grievance last spring at
a rally in Waco Texas Trump told his
loyalists I am your Warrior I am your
Justice for those who have been wronged
and betrayed of which there are many
people out there that have been wronged
and betrayed I am your retribution we
will take care of
it but what has often been missed about
Trump rallies and about the emotional
effect Trump exerts on many of his
supporters more generally is the sense
of enjoyment and thrill he evokes the
New York Times columnist David French is
one of the few observers who has
underscored the positive feelings the
folksy fun and silliness the thrilling
sense of belonging that people often
experience at Trump rallies in French's
words Trump functions as a Godlike
muscular superhero who has the magical
power to make good people feel good in
his essay brandishing the name or why is
Trump so enjoyable the Anthropologist
William mazarella employs the French
word J to convey the same Trump effect
conting a kind of delicious enjoyment
that borders on farce and shamelessness
the raw jaded fun and knowingly
cultivated outrage the more cynical the
better French suggests that the
camaraderie and good feelings sit side
by side with expressions of anger and
hate as when the crowd breaks into to
let's go Brandon which is code for [ __ ]
Joe Biden yet even this obscene
invective is often uttered in a
light-hearted way as if it were a school
chant at a college football game
mazarella argues that Jo often feels
like a guilty pleasure feeling good
while doing something that is vaguely
bad the fun Trump invokes is of the
taunting kind a making fun of others the
enemy while reflexively making fun of
the self too as if to entertain for just
a moment the possibility that I myself
am not good that I may even be
deplorable in Hillary Clinton's Infamous
phrase that my enemies may be right but
then again so what the enemy is totally
worse so let's party and kick their ass
authoritarian leaders make their
followers feel good by repeatedly and
forcefully proclaiming that the latter
are good people and that their enemies
are bad the opening move of the
authoritarian dynamic is the Stark
division between the good ingroup and
the bad at is evil disgusting poisonous
outg group going back to musolini
authoritarian strongmen had presented
themselves as Lial figures endowed with
special powers to protect the in group
from an evil World Often by restoring
the in group's lost greatness in her
book strongman musolini to the present
historian Ruth Ben giot notes that the
common attributes of authoritarian
leaders as received by their adoring
followers include proof of masculine
buril and here Trump's sexual exploits
work in his
favor a primal ferocity focused on
winning at all costs and the invocation
of a providential mission being an
instrument of God during a time of
national crisis As Trump doubles down on
fascist rhetoric and threatens to take
on the role of America's first dictator
he will continue to win in support from
those followers who welcome the
authoritarian Embrace Trump's comment in
a December Fox News Town Hall that he
would be a dictator on day one of his
next term sparked the usual brewhaha in
the media but not among his supporters I
love it one woman in her 50s told the
Washington Post a poll conducted in
February by the University of
Massachusetts Amherst found that
74% of Republican voters think it is
either definitely or probably a good
idea for Trump to be a dictator for a
day attempting to convince hardcore
Trump supporters that their hero is a
dangerous authoritarian is an exercise
inutility the journalist Amanda marcati
observes they know it's why they like
him whether Trump's enduring support
will be enough to return him to the
White House remains of course the big
open question he has never after all won
the popular vote during his time in
office moreover Trump's approval ratings
never reached as high as 50% just as he
seems to enjoy Everlasting appeal there
exists on the other side of the Great
Divide Everlasting repugnance but this
much as certain whatever happens Donald
Trump will continue to live on in the
minds of millions of Americans as a
remarkable criminal figure the kind of
personified entity around which
mythologies are made much more than a
person could ever be and much
less
[Music]
I'm Dan P McAdams a professor at
Northwestern University's School of
Education and social policy and author
of The Strange Case of Donald J Trump a
psychological Reckoning the title of the
article is the mass psychology of
trumpism
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