Why Half of America Will Vote for Donald Trump
4th November 2024
onald trump has dominated the American right for nine years and yet, even after a decade of study, many observers still cannot fathom why. But voters are certainly not tired of Mr Trump. Even after the scandal and mayhem of his first term, culminating in his attempt to cling to power after losing the election in 2020, around half of the electorate, or some 75m Americans, will vote for him this time.
What accounts for his enduring strength? At first it was common on the left to point to racism, misogyny and xenophobia, sustained by misinformation and lies. Hillary Clinton infamously summarised this thesis. “To just be grossly generalistic, you could put half of Trump’s supporters into what I call the basket of deplorables,” she once said.
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Calmer analysis is more helpful. Social scientists provide three kinds of explanation. Political scientists point out the importance of institutions; political economists put stress on material conditions; and political sociologists emphasise the cultural divide between elites and the self-described populus.
UPDATE: ‘Underserved, overtaxed’: Battleground state voter explains why she’s backing Trump (CNN)
UPDATE: Reluctant Trump voter reveals why she’s voting for the former president (Fox News)
UPDATE: Trump is ‘arrogant,’ ‘narcissistic,’ and ‘paranoid,’ these Mass. voters say. And they’re voting for him again. (Boston Globe)