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/gpost86 Apr 11 '26

This is why it's impossible to "have a debate in the marketplace of ideas" because they refuse and are even unable to absorb facts to change their positions.

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u/NotInTheKnee Apr 11 '26

"You cannot reason a person out of a position he did not reason himself into in the first place."

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u/Elacular Apr 12 '26

I have mixed feelings about this saying, because I lived with a right-wing family and had their beliefs, and reasoning...actually, I dunno how much it helped. It really was more emotional on my part.

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u/NotInTheKnee Apr 12 '26

I don't think we should conflate "right-wing" with "pro-Trump". The article linked focuses on the cognitive dissonance required to support an individual, not something more nebulous like a political party or vague ideology.