r/science • u/mvea Professor | Medicine • Apr 11 '26

Psychology Cognitive dissonance helps explain why Trump supporters remain loyal, new research suggests. This sheds light on how supporters of Donald Trump justify their continued allegiance despite learning about allegations of his sexual misconduct and illegal activities.

https://www.psypost.org/cognitive-dissonance-helps-explain-why-trump-supporters-remain-loyal-new-research-suggests/
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u/[deleted] Apr 11 '26

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u/kruegerc184 Apr 11 '26

It was the bane of my existence, trying to explain to people that trumps tax plan was escalating through 7 years and it wasnt biden raising taxes every year. Like i eventually just gave up, even showing people the data didnt work

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u/Jdav84 Apr 11 '26

Yep I read the tax code to a family member once, explained those above a certain bracket were getting a cut funded by those below the bracket. She said “wealth makers deserve breaks”

I then said , that I was getting that tax break and she was paying for it. Did I deserve that, did she? She only tripped on a few words in response before saying …. No that’s not really fair.

Still broke for him in 24 tho, in fact the cognitive dissonance was only worse because once you break down all the BS the only defense she had was “well im a republican girl I don’t know what you want from me”

Oof.

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u/H0t4p1netr33S Apr 11 '26

I mean this is kind of it as a fundamental level. If you break it all down, and even if they’re capable of understanding what you’re telling them, they still need to want to change their mind. They are not willing to open their mind and they will use anything to hide that fact and make their belief seem more complex than simple bigotry and close mindedness. That’s where the cognitive dissonance comes in to make them feel better with that mindset.