People started questioning whether America was stupid after the war between Iran, Israel, and the US. The American public actually started questioning and asking how Trump supporters could be so stupid.
Trump supporters aren’t actually stupid; they support Trump because they think they are very intelligent. Because, according to Trump supporters aren’t actually stupid; they support Trump because they think he’s very intelligent. Trump opponents, on the other hand, believe Trump and everyone else are stupid. The country is regressing because nationalism is declining and the economy is bad.
The most typical characteristic of nationalists is that they are easily deceived. They believe that anyone who talks about homeland, land, and religion is absolutely sincere, and they can’t imagine that these things can be used. The common point of all right-wing politicians is that they exploit feelings of religion, nationality, and homeland. Unfortunately, this is the easiest way to deceive people! It’s the same everywhere in the world. Concerns about nation, religion, and land are the biggest obstacle to healthy thinking. In fact, this feeling also stems from a tremendous inferiority complex, a typical example of insecurity. A person who says or thinks that their country can be easily destroyed is actually someone who lacks sufficient confidence in themselves and their country.
Trump and others come from a segment of society that knows this best. They’re involved in all sorts of scandals, including child abuse and tax evasion, and yet they manage to win over all nationalist conservative Americans and cover up their sins by saying “Make America Great Again.” This is a fundamental characteristic of all right-wing leaders worldwide! Most are involved in all sorts of filth, but the concepts of homeland, nation, and state are never absent from their mouths.
And more importantly: Every nationalist actually starts using another nationalist. One draws strength from the other, and they all believe they can only be strong when they come together. Most nationalists are nothing on their own. When they find a leader or person who thinks like them, they immediately follow them or join that group. Because they are not individuals, and being part of the herd seems like a safe environment to them.
So, Trump supporters aren’t stupid; they’re a group of easily deceived people.
Elif Çınar / Sociologist