Ruth Ben-Ghiat, a professor of history and expert in propaganda and authoritarian regimes, dissected former President Trump’s effective tactics in manipulating emotions to maintain power. She highlighted how Trump capitalized on fear, anger, and hatred to energize his base and control the political narrative. By stoking these emotions, Trump was able to create a loyal following that fed into his authoritarian tendencies.
One of the key emotions Trump exploited was fear, particularly fear of immigrants and “outsiders.” By constantly reinforcing the idea of a threat to America’s security and identity, he was able to rally his supporters around a shared sense of paranoia and xenophobia. This fear-mongering tactic was not only effective in mobilizing his base but also in deflecting attention from his own shortcomings and scandals.
In addition to fear, Trump also leveraged anger as a powerful tool in his emotional manipulation strategy. By tapping into his supporters’ feelings of frustration and resentment towards the political establishment, he was able to position himself as the ultimate outsider and anti-establishment figure. This anger served to solidify a sense of solidarity among his base and deepen their loyalty to him, even when faced with criticism or controversy.
Moreover, Trump’s exploitation of hatred was a crucial component of his emotional manipulation tactics. By targeting marginalized groups and promoting divisive rhetoric, he was able to sow seeds of hatred and bigotry among his followers. This strategy not only fueled a sense of “us vs. them” among his supporters but also exacerbated existing social tensions and polarized the country along racial and cultural lines.
Overall, Ben-Ghiat’s analysis underscores how Trump’s mastery of emotional manipulation played a key role in his rise to power and retention of a devoted base of supporters. By cultivating fear, anger, and hatred among the American public, he was able to tap into deeply rooted emotions and foster a sense of solidarity among his followers. This approach not only enabled him to control the political narrative but also laid the groundwork for the erosion of democratic norms and institutions.
