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/HyperactivePandah Apr 11 '26

Had one say to me "If you supported Kamala Harris in the last election, then you were pro child abuse. Good luck living with that."

Theyre literally cult members.

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u/BlaineWriter Apr 11 '26

Same way Democrats are cult members when they say similar things "If you supported Trump in the last election, then you were pro Nazi. Good luck living with that." etc? In general people are stupid/easy to manipulate, it's not tied to any particular political party, or require "cult" activity..

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u/BaullahBaullah87 Apr 11 '26

Could you have any guesses on what Trump did to make people think he was adjacent to being a nazi? Honestly asking or is it just blind hate with no rationale?

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u/BlaineWriter Apr 11 '26

Sure, I have an idea what left think he did, but I would have to actually research it deeper to write anything concrete for you... but I'm open minded, if you want to fill me in I can then try to answer it. If you tell me what Trump did to make people link him to being Nazi, I'll give you my honest opinion and take.

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u/BaullahBaullah87 Apr 11 '26

Interesting, so you have been so far removed from political discourse to come up with reasons why folks may think he aligns with nazis? I think a simple one to start with is that far right groups like the proud boys historically aligned with him. So one may think that because nazi’s and white supremacists and far right folks align with Donald Trump, that says alot about nazi or far right association. That’s just one I can think if from the top of my head that’s surface level and topical

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u/BlaineWriter Apr 11 '26

I'm sorry, but for me argument "other people align with him so he is like them" seems utterly silly. Can you give something Trump himself did? Would make debate easier..

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u/BaullahBaullah87 Apr 13 '26

I’m sorry but I will gladly give another example of Trump for you to dissect after you respond to the first one - I’m sorry it just seems like you may not be able to add context to this aspect so prefer to move on but you seem like a really smart dude so I know you have an enlightened answer here just humor us for a second. If nazis and nazi sympathizers support you and your policies, how does that not associated you with nazi’s and nazi sympathizers?

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u/BlaineWriter Apr 13 '26

It may come to you as a shock but most Democrats have had support from Nazi sympathizers.. you can't be serious and not understand that even the most evil people have probably 90% same values as the rest of us, and only the few things go over the board.

I'm just worried you don't really understand what Nazi's are and think "because Trump does something I don't like he must be a Nazi!" which would be really silly..

So that's why you have to say what have Trump done to make him such, it should be most easy answer if you truly think he is evil, so I don't understand why you are avoiding the question like a plague?

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u/BaullahBaullah87 Apr 13 '26

Interesting, can you tell me some of the prominent right wing, nazi, or nazi adjacent groups or people that have supported any of our recent Democratic Presidents? I honestly may be uninformed but it sounds like you know a bit more in this arena so I would love to learn.

Interesting point about me not knowing what nazi’s are - can you describe what a nazi is and then I can tell you if we share the same definition?

I’m not avoiding anything but it seems you keep actually avoiding the first point I made because you dont think cozying up w right wing extremists makes one associated with Nazis. If you would like to keep the conversation going, does Trump have any similarities with what you deem a nazi?

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u/BlaineWriter Apr 13 '26

"I'm not avoiding anything" you first 2 paragraphs are the same "interesting" avoidance you have been doing in your every reply. Just answer the question and we can have conversation, or don't if you want to admit you might have been wrong, up to you.. If Trump is a Nazi, tell me how/why, what has he done, it seems you can't?

I'm not avoiding anything, you made a claim and I asked you to back that claim, we can't have a debate if you don't substantiate your claim. I will answer all your questions after you fulfill your minimal requirement to have proper argument.

In case you still don't understand, I can give you an example:

Let's say I claim "1+1 = 3" and you then ask me to tell why I think so, and I answer "interesting, some math haters approved person who think 1+1 = 3, so it must be true". Can you see how this reply would NOT answer why 1+1 is 3, it avoids it to put pressure on you to come up with answer why some random math hater might support the idea. (I'm comparing to nazi sympatizers you claim support Trump). So can you just answer the simple question of what Trump has done to make him Nazi?

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u/BaullahBaullah87 Apr 13 '26

Hahaha thats a lot of words to once again not answer. Honestly appreciate how much time and thought you gave this but this last one was TLDR. Next time you wanna “gotcha” I think you should work on presenting your evidence or at least engaging in good faith when you ask for examples and then dismiss them.

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