Hidden Trump Supporters: An Stealth Army Polled to Stay Quiet
Every political analyst everywhere in the world would like to know the answer to this question: how many people support Donald Trump but don't want to admit it. This curiosity has persisted since the 2016 election, where Trump's victory over all poll results surprised many, including his adversaries. A significant number of voters who supported him did so not out of conviction but through a sense of unwillingness to disclose their true allegiance.
Trump's Charismatic Charisma and His Supporters
Donald Trump is a unique figure in American politics. He is not your usual Republican or a conservative. His surprising competence in the presidency, despite constant efforts to discredit him by the media, impressed many. However, the arrival of the pandemic marked a turning point. Trump's confidence took a hit, and he became more politically vulnerable. Despite this, there is a group of supporters - stealth supporters - who continue to back him in silence. The question is: who are they?
Demographics and Motivations of Stealth Supporters
The stealth supporters are not just a monolithic group. They include Democrats and young voters. These individuals are caught in a dilemma. They share Trump's views but fear embarrassment and social repercussions. Most of their peers and families, especially parents and children, have shown significant disdain for him. Nevertheless, they continue to support him, a trend that had millions during the 2016 election. Their support has been unwavering until the current crisis, but Trump's performance in the coming months could sway their voting decisions. If he fails to perform, these supporters might stay home, but they likely won't vote for his opponents - a scenario that could be enough to defeat Trump.
Realities and Complexities of Stealth Support
One of the key factors behind the stealth support is the fear of social backlash. Many people who support Trump do so with emotional conviction rather than logical reasoning, which is very evident at his rallies. There, supporters display their loyalty with vivid hate for minority groups, such as Hillary Clinton, among others. However, these individuals don't tend to hide their support openly; rather, they keep it hidden to avoid harassment and misunderstandings from friends and family.
“I know quite a few people who support him but they don't say so because they don't want to be harassed by other people. Sometimes family members will forget about your existence if you mention it to them.”
Waning Support Amidst a Pandemic
The outbreak of the pandemic has had a profound impact on Trump's support. Initially, his administration's incompetent handling of the virus, particularly the double standards and contradictions in his messaging, led to a significant decline in public support. According to Polling data, support for Trump has dropped, particularly among younger voters and Democrats. This decline is especially stark since the dissemination of misleading or dangerous information on COVID-19, which has made him and his administration known as the major purveyor of misinformation. As of now, the number of deaths attributed to the pandemic is still rising, with more than 150,000 to 200,000 lives lost.
But there's a belief that, as time goes on, the number could be even more than that, representing the tip of the iceberg. The truth is, the narrative around Trump's stealth supporters is not simply a matter of cold, hard logic. It is a mix of personal loyalty, social anxiety, and a deep-seated emotional attachment to a leader who often defies conventional norms. These supporters, though quiet, are the heart and soul of Trump's resilience in the polls, making their ideological stance a crucial factor in the ongoing political landscape of the United States.