The harsh reality: Lots of Americans like it because they rationalize it erroneously

The WaPo writes (not paywalled) about DJT voters in Pennsylvania:

As Washington reels from Trump’s first actions, his voters like what they see

Most were in favor of his efforts to scale back the federal workforce, to stand by controversial Cabinet nominees and to slash foreign aid

Despite the chaos and confusion some of Trump’s early actions have caused in Washington, there was a collective shrug among his supporters here in northeast Pennsylvania, several of whom argued that no actual damage had been done by the new orders to freeze spending. In interviews with nearly 20 people in the region in recent days, most Trump supporters were in favor of his efforts to scale back the federal workforce, to stand by controversial Cabinet nominees and to slash foreign aid.

“I trust him. Is he going to do everything right in the next four years? Probably not,” [DJT supporter] Tammy Malloy said. “Is he going to do everything I agree with? Probably not — but he’s going to do most of what I agree with, and I’ll take it.” .... “To get rid of the DEI,” a favorite conservative punching bag “There’s two genders. I don’t care if you identify as a monkey, you’re still either a male or female. The last four years shoved it down our throats.”

 

[DJT supporter] Dan DeMellier said he wasn’t fazed by the Trump administration calling for a pause of federal loans and grants, saying he didn’t “pay too much attention to it,” but that “media just blows it all out of proportion.” .... DeMellier dismissed the scrutiny surrounding Hegseth’s past conduct. Hegseth had paid $50,000 to a woman who accused him of sexual assault in 2017, according to information he provided to the Senate, and he acknowledged engaging in extramarital affairs. Former colleagues also had reported that he was a heavy drinker. “Who cares if he had three wives? Who cares if he drinks? Everybody drinks,” DeMellier said.

Chris Chermak, a Lackawanna County commissioner and the county’s lone Republican official, said he couldn’t believe just how much ground the GOP gained across the state this election, including ousting the state’s senior Democratic senator, Bob Casey, and an incumbent congressman in the area. But in hindsight, the high cost of living paired with scarce quality job opportunities in the region, Chermak said, made voters want someone in office who would make “drastic, drastic decisions.”

“I don’t have a problem with what he’s doing, and most of the people I’m talking to, I believe, feel the same way,” Chermak said of Trump’s first days in office. “Just some difficult decisions that had to be made.”  

“I like the fact that they’re trying to cut stuff, that they had, what was it, DOGE, and was it MLB or DOB, or whatever?” Brian Williams said, trailing off, trying to remember the acronym “OMB” for the agency that administers the federal budget. He wasn’t the only local resident who struggled to recall the specifics of the Office of Management and Budget’s order to freeze federal loan and grant programs in an effort to weed out diversity and equity. But in conversations here, that kind of initiative was well received.

The article quotes other DJT supporters, giving reasons for rejecting the Democrats or supporting DJT. In many of those comments, one can clearly see MAGA's dark free speech talking points, nearly all of which are lies or irrational. That is not an assertion that those people are stupid. But it is an assertion that they are deceived. Look at the reasoning, i.e., irrational rationalizations, they cite, (i) uh, Hedgseth is OK because he had 3 wives and everybody drinks, (ii) "just some difficult decisions that had to be made", (iii) "you’re still either a male or female", and (iv) "I like the fact that they’re trying to cut stuff." That is incoherent. For the most part, those people do not know what they are talking about, usually either ignorant of key facts or accepting of false MAGA propaganda. That is what MAGA is counting on.[1]

Once again, the following quote I've cited many times here is spot on in its relevance to how people are thinking about what they think they see:

“. . . . the typical citizen drops down to a lower level of mental performance as soon as he enters the political field. He argues and analyzes in a way which he would readily recognize as infantile within the sphere of his real interests. . . . cherished ideas and judgments we bring to politics are stereotypes and simplifications with little room for adjustment as the facts change. . . . . the real environment is altogether too big, too complex, and too fleeting for direct acquaintance. We are not equipped to deal with so much subtlety, so much variety, so many permutations and combinations. Although we have to act in that environment, we have to reconstruct it on a simpler model before we can manage it.”

Again, I am not saying that DJT supporters are stupid. I am arguing that most are significantly ignorant and nearly all are deceived and their reasoning poisoned by decades of MAGA demagoguery. This mass state of mind did not arise just from DJT. It was decades in the making.

Q: Is there sufficient evidence to reasonably and rationally argue that, assuming those sentiments and that kind of are reasoning common, most DJT supporters have been seriously deceived, are seriously uninformed, and/or are applying flawed reasoning to what is happening?

Footnote:

1. I did some searching:

Q: In the 2024 election, to what extent did voters based their votes for Trump on false beliefs and/or clearly flawed reasoning? Comments from Trump supporters are dominated by a combination of MAGA lies, irrationality and ignorance.

A: The 2024 U.S. presidential election saw a significant influence of misinformation, false beliefs, and flawed reasoning among Trump supporters, shaping their voting decisions in several key ways:

Misinformation and False Beliefs:

Election Fraud Claims: Despite evidence to the contrary, a substantial number of Trump voters believed in widespread election fraud in the 2020 election, with Trump himself continuing to assert these claims into the 2024 election cycle 15 28. This belief was not only a product of misinformation but also contributed to a broader narrative of distrust in the electoral system.

Economic Misconceptions: Many Trump supporters prioritized economic issues, particularly inflation and price increases, attributing these problems solely to Democratic policies. However, this view was flawed as both parties had supported the policies leading to these economic conditions. Moreover, there was a widespread belief among Trump voters that his policies would reduce prices, despite evidence suggesting his proposed tariffs and immigration restrictions would likely increase them 24.

Immigration Myths: False claims about immigrants causing crime, taking jobs, and being a burden on taxpayers were pervasive among Trump supporters. These claims were not only false but were also instrumental in shaping negative perceptions of immigration, influencing voter preferences 25.

Irrationality and ignorance:
Authoritarianism and Social Dominance Orientation: Trump voters scored higher on scales measuring authoritarianism and Social Dominance Orientation, indicating a preference for hierarchy and strong leadership, which might not align with rational decision-making based on policy analysis or factual information 3.

Misology: The term "misology" was used to describe Trump supporters' rejection of rational discourse, often dismissing facts and evidence that contradicted their beliefs. This mindset was characterized by a deep-seated mistrust of media and institutions, further fueled by Trump's own rhetoric 6 33. 

Cultural and Identity Politics: Trump's appeal was also rooted in cultural and identity politics, where voters felt their values, traditions, and economic future were under threat. This perception was not necessarily based on factual analysis but on a sense of cultural loss and fear of change 3 ["Almost nine out of ten voters who supported Donald Trump for US President believe that America’s values, traditions and future economic prosperity are under threat"].

Impact on Voting Decisions:

Reinforcement of Narratives: Disinformation, while not necessarily changing votes directly, reinforced existing narratives among Trump supporters, creating a sense of solidarity and energy on the conservative right 2 32.

Voter Turnout and Support: The spread of misinformation and the cultivation of a culture of fear and distrust likely played a role in mobilizing Trump's base, contributing to his competitive edge in the election 16 ["Inspiring people with fear and anger and violent imagery is a way to manipulate people without getting them to think about the issue"].

Post-Election Perception: Interestingly, after Trump's victory, there was a noticeable shift in how his supporters viewed election integrity, with fewer believing fraud was a significant issue, suggesting that their beliefs were somewhat contingent on the election outcome 26 [

"Heading into Election Day, nearly 9 in 10 Trump voters said fraud was a serious issue. Afterward, just a bit over one-third said so."].

In summary, while not all Trump voters were driven by misinformation or irrationality, a significant portion of his support base was influenced by these factors. The combination of false beliefs about election integrity, economic policies, and immigration, coupled with a predisposition towards authoritarianism and a rejection of rational discourse, played a crucial role in shaping the voting decisions of many Trump supporters in the 2024 election. This phenomenon highlights the complex interplay between misinformation, cultural identity, and political polarization in modern American politics. (emphasis added)

Q2: What role did misology play in people voting for Trump in the 2024 elections?

A2: Misology, defined as the hatred or distrust of reason, argument, or knowledge, played a nuanced role in influencing voter behavior in the 2024 presidential elections, particularly among those who supported Donald Trump.

3. Economic and Social Factors

Economic Disillusionment: Economic factors, particularly concerns about inflation and the state of the economy, were pivotal in Trump's voter base. Misology here played a role in how voters processed economic information. Trump's narrative of economic revitalization and criticism of the Biden-Harris administration's economic policies appealed to those who felt neglected by the political establishment and were skeptical of economic forecasts or analyses from traditional sources7 33.

Conclusion:
Misology, while not the sole determinant, was a significant undercurrent in the 2024 elections, particularly among Trump voters. It influenced how voters perceived and processed information, leading to a preference for narratives that aligned with their pre-existing beliefs and skepticism towards traditional sources of knowledge and expertise. This distrust facilitated Trump's ability to connect with voters through direct communication, bypassing traditional media, and leveraging economic and social anxieties to consolidate his voter base. The interplay of misology with other factors like economic concerns, identity politics, and demographic shifts underscores its complex role in shaping electoral outcomes.