Trump’s appeal cannot be explained by facts, logic or self-interest (Letter)

In his book, The Death of Democracy: Hitler’s Rise to Power and the Fall of the Weimar Republic, historian Benjamin Carter Hett reports that in the 1930 election the Nazis won 18.3 percent of the vote. A liberal newspaper responded by saying it was “monstrous” that “six million four hundred thousand voters in this highly civilized country” voted for “the commonest, most shrill, and cruelest quackery.” In the minds of many Germans, who opposed Hitler and the Nazis, it made no sense. It seems that “radicalism has defeated reason”.

In 2020, 74 million Americans voted for a demagogue who appeals to the basest emotions of the American people, including fear, prejudice, distrust, and anger. It defies reason.

Trump’s support cannot be rationally explained. It cannot be explained by class divisions because many millionaires and billionaires as well as working class people support it. It cannot be explained in terms of “interests” because many working-class and rural voters voted for Trump against their own self-interest. It cannot be explained in terms of values ​​because many evangelical Christians support Trump, who is the antithesis of Christian values.