A neuroscientist explains why MAGA supporters refuse to accept Trump's 91 felony charges https://www.rawstory.com/raw-investigates/donald-trump-supporters When delving into the perplexing world of politics and the enigmatic figure of Donald Trump, we often encounter a peculiar phenomenon amongst his supporters: a staunch refusal to accept any criminal allegation or felony charge against him, no matter how compelling the evidence. There are many neurological and psychological reasons for this irrational behavior. But today, we will focus on the mental phenomena I feel are most urgent to explore ahead of the 2024 presidential election. First, a disclaimer: I am not a psychiatrist or a clinical psychologist — I am a cognitive neuroscientist with a research focus in clinical psychology (in particular, anxiety’s effect on attention). In fact, much of my published work has appeared in psychology journals. As a science journalist, I have been covering the psychology of Trump and his supporters since he emerged on the political scene in 2015. Now that Trump is running for president again while facing 91 felony charges, I feel a moral responsibility to illuminate all the mental factors that are driving Americans to support a man who is a master manipulator, and incapable of telling the truth. Unfortunately, these are qualities that are too common among presidential candidates, but Trump is a particularly egregious example, and therefore we must be vigilant. This article is meant to inform but also to warn voters of what is to come. Cognitive challenge of disbelief In 2009, a study published in PLOS ONE challenged our understanding of belief systems. Researchers placed participants into the confines of an fMRI scanner and presented them with a mixture of factual and abstract statements. The results were illuminating. Disbelief, it turns out, is cognitively demanding. It requires more mental effort than simply accepting a statement as true. From an evolutionary perspective, this preference for easy belief makes sense; a perpetually skeptical individual questioning every piece of information would struggle to adapt in a fast-paced world. What does all this have to do with Trump supporters? Well, it’s far less cognitively demanding for them to believe anything their leader tells them. Any challenge to what Trump tells them is true takes mental work. This means there is a psychological incentive for Trump loyalists to maintain their loyalty. (I wrote about this phenomenon in a slightly different context in the Daily Beast article "Religious Fundamentalism: A Side Effect of Lazy Brains?") Molding of belief: neuroplasticity at play Now, let's consider the unique predicament faced by individuals who staunchly support Trump and want him to again become president. From the moment Trump began his political career and his social engineering career, his supporters have been exposed to narratives — Trump doesn't lie, Democrats are communists, the media is an enemy of the people — that emphasize loyalty and trust in their political idol. These narratives often steer away from critical examination and instead encourage blind faith. When coupled with the brain's inherent tendency to accept rather than question, it creates an ideal environment for unwavering allegiance. No matter that Trump, time and again, has been revealed to be a serial liar, habitually misrepresenting matters of great consequence, from elections to economics to public health. For example, in the Psychology Today article "Why Evangelicals are Wired to Believe Trump’s Falsehoods," I explain that the children of Christian fundamentalists typically begin to suppress critical thinking at an early age. This is required if one is to accept Biblical stories as literal truth, rather than metaphors for how to live life practically and with purpose. Attributing natural occurrences to mystical causes discourages youth from seeking evidence to back their beliefs. Consequently, the brain structures that support critical thinking and logical reasoning don't fully mature. This paves the way for heightened vulnerability to deceit and manipulative narratives, especially from cunning political figures. Such increased suggestibility arises from a mix of the brain's propensity to accept unverified claims and intense indoctrination. Given the brain's neuroplastic nature, which allows it to shape according to experiences, some religious followers are more predisposed to accept improbable assertions. In other words, our brains are remarkably adaptable and continuously evolving landscapes. For ardent Trump supporters, residing in an environment that prioritizes faith over empirical evidence can reshape the neural circuits within their brains. Imagine these neural pathways as trails in a forest. The more one traverses the path of unquestioning belief, the clearer and more entrenched it becomes. The path of skepticism, however, grows over with doubts and becomes difficult to navigate. This cognitive reshaping primes individuals to accept, and even defend, far-fetched statements and suggestions presented by manipulative politicians. The Dunning-Kruger effect This cognitive bias occurs when individuals with low ability at a task overestimate their capability. Translated to the context of understanding complex legal matters, some Trumpists might believe they have a superior grasp of the former president’s predicament and dismiss expert opinions, thinking they're immune to being misled. The Dunning-Kruger effect becomes especially concerning in the context of polarizing issues, such as climate change. A research study from the University of New Hampshire in 2017, for example, revealed that a mere 25 percent of those identifying as Trump supporters acknowledged the role of human actions in climate change. This is in stark contrast to the 97 percent consensus among climate scientists on the issue. This troublesome cognitive bias could be making it easier for Trump to deliver unchallenged falsehoods to his more uneducated followers. In some cases, not only are these individuals uninformed, they are unlikely to seek new information on their own. In their minds, they have nothing to learn because Trump and his acolytes have already told them what they need to know. Reevaluating our cognitive reflexes It is important to state that these phenomena are not exclusive to Trump supporters or any particular political group; this article serves as a broader reflection on the cognitive shortcuts that our brains favor. If we aspire to build a society less susceptible to misinformation, we must embark on a paradigm shift. Our educational approach should pivot from passive acceptance of supposed “facts” to the exhilarating pursuit of questioning authority and healthy skepticism (as too much skepticism can also lead to irrational thinking). Recognizing that belief, in many ways, is the brain's default mode rather than a conscious choice, can serve as the first step in this cerebral revolution. In conclusion, the unwavering belief in Trump, despite the felony charges against him, is not solely a political matter but, for some, a manifestation of our brain's intrinsic tendencies. Understanding this cognitive dynamic is pivotal in addressing the challenges posed by misinformation and fostering a more critical and discerning society.
I've said it for years, if you looked at Bull1Shit2s brain in fMRI it wound have distinct functional problems. This combined with environment.
The power structure succeeded from the general population. Every judge in the country is in on it. It's a big club and you ain't in it. We're all surprised that our country betrayed itself. Trump is the only egg in the basket, obvious setup.
Propaganda aside, please tell us you know the real reason why 74,223,975 hard working, America first, gender stout voters supported Trump in 2020. It has been a battle of establishment politicians, both Democrat and Republican, against outsider Trump and those Independents and Republicans who hold the US Constitution, national pride, and long established cultural imperatives above politics. The establishment has been long corrupt leading to crony Capitalism and foreign interests affecting legislation in the United States. The fact that the many political names in the Jeffery Epstein, DC prostitution 1, and DC prostitution 2 scandals, where at least one key witness died in each, are still sealed by the court says volumes about reality. Notable is Trump's willingness to continue the fight in spite of the financial costs and risk to his personal freedom. Such is his dedication to our country and its people, as it seems likely Democrats would jump at the chance to drop charges in exchange for Trump withdrawing from Presidential contention, thereby lowering risk of them getting caught attempting to cheat in what will be likely the most scrutinized US Presidential election ever. The establishment seems desperate as Biden appears to be losing support among young Progressives, Blacks, Hispanics, Independents, and Catholics. As it has been, the establishment and the media have been manipulating public opinion for decades to their benefit, leading to disenfranchisement of voters of a wide range of political beliefs, effectively denying the people of a Constitutionally guaranteed representative government. For all the propaganda disseminated by the media, people still may consider their quality of life as well as their children's under Trump versus Biden as the final arbiter in their 2024 decision. It is also worth considering Biden is likely to follow the same path as Obama did in his second term, leading to even further geopolitical, economic, and social turmoil.
There is a difference between voting for someone who is not criminally indicted (in 2020) believing he was the better of the two candidates, and being a hard-core Trump supporter who can't accept reality. At this point with four score and eleven Trump indictments -- the truth is glaringly clear about Trump. Only an individual who cannot accept facts or reality would support Trump or vote for him in an upcoming election. Trump is only devoted to one person, himself. He is not devoted to our country -- he only views our country and his supporters as tools (to be thrown away when needed) to drive his narcissistic personality for his personal satisfaction and personal wealth. Trump is no different than other dictators in human history except most of the others were smarter than Trump and more well-spoken.
Christine Blasely Ford discredited testimony and her social media account deletion, Jeffery Smollett's false police report involving a fake racist based attack, Leftist prosecutor perjury trap convictions without a conviction of a related crime against Trump officials, conflicts of interest involving FBI leadership against Republicans, multiple previous failed FBI investigations against Trump, witness coercion, false statement in obtaining a search warrant, authorized information leaks potentially harmful to the President or Republicans out of the White House and Supreme Court, targeted legislation against a political opponent, false flags, mischaracterizations of events such as January 6th, etc. are associated with what political party again? Did not the Leftist write some books on this stuff, such as the Communist Manifesto and Rules for Radicals? Seems to me, many trust Trump more than the entity that obtained the four indictments on 91 charges against him for good reason. Equal justice under the law, anybody? All the charges against Trump politically stink and are an effort by the corrupt establishment to deny the people of political representation. Trump, for all his warts, represents the best long term interests of most better than what the establishment has to offer, whether that establishment is represented by a Biden or previously, a Bush. I left Obama out since he found a way to screw both the establishment, at least indirectly, and America at the same time. Trump said he would clean up the Swamp. The Swamp has other ideas, hence what we are seeing now. Democracy and rule of law are failing in the United States. I see a Trump Presidency as extending the remnants of our system as our forefathers envisioned a while longer while a Biden Presidency could very well end it within his 2nd term. Then again, it has been said the people get the Government they deserve. Not sure if anyone really deserves to endure another Biden term, however.
trump had 2 years of complete control over all government and never cleaned up the swamp.... it is because it was a bullshit lie upon a fabrication that voters swallow on knee pads....if you think trump has the ability and desire to do anything but for himself, especially at almost 80 years old, then you are just kidding yourself.. dont like Biden, find someone better than a fucking old sack of shit or find better role models.
Ok, that settles it! No Trump and no Biden, then! Our system is seriously deficient that we have reached this point. Didn't it use to be a mere hint of a scandal was enough to derail a political campaign? Now 4 grand juries and 91 charges later, many are "So what"? What does this suggest about the credibility of those bringing the charges? Or the credibility of the one who is who on the receiving end? Care for a banana? I'd offer a solution, but one escapes me right now. Release the Kraken! I mean names on the Epstein list!
It actually suggests the insanity of Trump's followers who are unwilling to accept facts and evidence despite clearly obvious information showing criminality in the indictments. Plus dozens of witnesses affirming Trump's criminal actions. Very reminiscent of Germany in the 1930s.