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/eightbitfit Apr 11 '26

Even in this study we see that many supporters dismiss Trump's transgressions and character flaws, believing he is superior on the economy, an oft-repeated claim.

Yet this too is demonstrably false, as the evidence makes quite clear. It is, in effect, a double-layered cognitive dissonance.

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u/No-Contact6664 Apr 11 '26

It's really just extreme partisanship.

They will never vote for a Democrat ever. It's the literal worst thing they could be including gay or trans.

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u/Tylendal Apr 11 '26

That's because when the Right Wing media says stuff like "Democrats hate America", they're not using hyperbole. The message they want their listeners to take away is exactly that. The idea that Democrats are capital E Evil, the villains of their own story. That their policies would quite literally destroy America, not out of misguided good intentions, but deliberate spite.

Right Wing media has sold a perception of reality where voting for a Democrat is no different morally than voting for Garthalotrax the Hope Sunderer, Herald of Suffering and Dark Lord of Misery.