Why do people vote for Trump?
Educate yourself. MAGA/Trump/Vance are extremely dangerous.
After reading Chris Cillizza’s substack, I have to respond in full.
My take on those claims:
Let’s be clear: the arguments made by Trump supporters often serve as distractions that ignore his inability to govern effectively. Trump/Vance and their minions employ justifications that frequently rely on exaggerations, emotional appeals, and flawed reasoning, all of which obscure the fundamental issue: Trump’s leadership is marked by incompetence, chaos, and corruption.
Let’s break down why these arguments fall short.
There is a Cultural/Moral Argument which claims that Democrats are pushing a radical cultural agenda that threatens traditional values, using exaggerated or false examples like schools installing kitty litter for students identifying as furries. This kind of rhetoric deflects from the real issue—Trump’s failure to uphold democratic norms and his promotion of divisive, harmful rhetoric. It shifts focus from his inability to lead effectively to exaggerated cultural fears that have little basis in reality.
There is a focus on abortion as a single issue: Many Trump supporters justify their votes by pointing to his stance on abortion, specifically his role in overturning Roe v. Wade. While this single-issue focus might resonate with some, it overlooks the very real consequences to women in this country of child bearing age. The “single-abortion” argument belies the broader damage of Trump’s presidency: his disregard for the rule of law, his incompetence in crisis management, and his frequent elevation of unqualified and corrupt individuals. Indeed, reducing the choice to a single issue allows supporters to sidestep Trump’s profound failures as a leader.
Others turn to Trump’s economic instincts rather than recognize a competent policy: The belief that Trump’s economic instincts are better than the informed policies of his opponents is misleading. Trump’s economic decisions—like impulsive tariffs and trade wars—often hurt the very people he claims to help. This argument favors gut reactions over thoughtful, strategic decision-making, ignoring the complexity required to manage an economy. It downplays the chaos and mismanagement that defined his tenure.
Those who argue that others will control Trump’s worst impulses: Some supporters admit that Trump is unqualified but argue that his advisors will keep him in check. This belief is both naïve and dangerous. Trump surrounded himself with sycophants, felons, and enablers, not competent checks on his behavior. The notion that Trump can be “managed” by others has been repeatedly disproven, as his administration was rife with dysfunction and scandal. A second Trump administration will cave to Trump’s worst impulses because they are sycophants. The people who during his first administration and served as “guardrails” have disavowed the man and are voting for Kamala/Walz.
Trump has a populist appeal and promises to disrupt the status quo: Many Trump supporters view him as a disruptor of a broken system, appealing to those who feel left behind. They see him as a way to shake up the establishment. However, this view glosses over the tangible failures of his administration, which often made life harder for working-class Americans. Trump’s brand of populism is more about rhetoric than real change, capitalizing on frustration without delivering meaningful solutions.
These pro-Trump arguments are rhetorically powerful but fundamentally flawed. They obscure Trump’s profound incapacity to govern and the lasting damage his leadership has done to American democracy. By focusing on cultural fears, single-issue politics, and misguided notions of populist change, Trump supporters overlook the reality: his administration was defined by incompetence, corruption, and a disregard for the very principles of good governance.
Don’t be fooled. If Trump is re-elected, he will finish the destruction he has initiated. Thus, the choice this election is actually an either/or decision.
There are those who want to live in a free American democracy led by a competent person and those who are choosing (though many don’t seem to recognize it except the rich read: Elon Musk/and Trump’s sycophants) to change America into a version of Viktor Orbán’s Hungary. Orbán, who, “since assuming power in 2010, along with his party, Fidesz, have systematically dismantled the pillars of liberal democracy steering the nation toward what Orbán himself proudly labels as an illiberal state.”
https://www.americanprogress.org/article/hungarys-democratic-backsliding-threatens-the-trans-atlantic-security-order/
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