Why Do Trump Supporters Think Donald Trump Will Deliver on His Campaign Promises?

The question often arises, why do Trump supporters continue to believe that Donald Trump will deliver on his campaign promises? The answer lies in a combination of delusions, loyalty, and the psychological tactics often employed by charismatic leaders. While there are instances where Trump did follow through with some of his promises from his previous presidency, a closer look at the promises and their fulfillment reveals a mixed record at best.

Continuity and Unchanging Habits

Many Trump supporters maintain the same delusions that allowed them to believe in his previous promises. There is an old saying that reflects this sentiment: 'Lets not and say we did.' For Donald Trump, this saying seems to serve as a motto for unfulfilled promises and a failure to follow through. He makes plentiful promises but rarely, if ever, keeps them.

The Mechanism of Cult-Like Loyalty

The persistence of Trump's support, across both his tenure and subsequent election campaigns, reflects a form of blind devotion. True believers see no flaws in their leader's actions, regardless of the inconsistencies. They are captivated by his rhetoric and believe every word, even when it contradicts previous statements. This phenomenon is reminiscent of cult behavior, where members are so devoted to their leader that they overlook any negative aspects of their belief system.

Examples of Unfulfilled Promises

Several of Trump's campaign promises from his previous term remain unfulfilled. For instance, he promised to build a wall, make Mexico pay for it, repeal Obamacare, balance the federal budget, release his tax returns after audit, and grow the economy by 4% annually. Here's a more comprehensive scorecard of his fulfillment of commitments:

Building the Wall: Only a small portion of the wall was built, and it was not financed by Mexico as promised. Repealing Obamacare: The Affordable Care Act has not been fully repealed, although some key aspects were altered. Repealing the Alternative Minimum Tax: No substantial changes were made. Removing Undocumented Immigrants: There has been no dramatic enforcement to remove all undocumented immigrants. Scaling the Department of Education: There were only minor changes in education policy. Balancing the Federal Budget: The budget deficit continued to grow. Growing the Economy by 4%: The economy did not grow at that rate.

Factors Contributing to Persistent Support

While many Trump supporters may not actually believe his current campaign promises, they continue to support him based on several factors:

Visual Representation: They like the image and persona that Trump constructs for himself. Attitude: They appreciate his aggressive and combative demeanor. Unfairness Perception: Some believe that Biden, the FBI, or other forces are out to eliminate Trump, which they find deeply unfair. Anticipation of Future Events: A significant number of supporters look forward to future insurrections or scenarios where Trump could establish a dictatorship.

Given these factors, it is highly unlikely that a substantial portion of Trump's Republican supporters will be driven primarily by a belief in his campaign promises, especially considering the history of unfulfilled expectations.

Conclusion

While Trump may continue to make campaign promises, the reality is that a significant portion of his support comes from a more complex set of factors than just belief in his promises. Understanding and analyzing these factors can provide valuable insights into the dynamics of support and the mechanisms of political loyalty.