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Activating Animus: The Uniquely Social Roots of Trump Support

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  • MASON, LILLIANA
  • WRONSKI, JULIE
  • KANE, JOHN V.

Abstract

Partisanship in American politics is inextricably linked with social identities, and sentiments toward party-aligned groups affect political orientations. However, out-group animosity may operate differently depending on the party or elite. We investigate the extent to which citizens’ animus toward (Democratically aligned) minority groups drove political support for Donald Trump, whose incendiary rhetoric regarding such groups is unique in modern presidential politics. Leveraging panel data beginning before Trump’s candidacy, we find that animus toward Democratic-linked groups in 2011 predicts future support for Trump regardless of party identity. This animus does not predict future support for other Republican or Democratic politicians or either party. Nor do we find that animus toward Republican groups predicts support for Democratic elites. Trump’s support is thus uniquely tied to animus toward minority groups. Our findings provide insights into the social divisions underlying American politics and the role of elite rhetoric in translating animus into political support.

Suggested Citation

  • Mason, Lilliana & Wronski, Julie & Kane, John V., 2021. "Activating Animus: The Uniquely Social Roots of Trump Support," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 115(4), pages 1508-1516, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:apsrev:v:115:y:2021:i:4:p:1508-1516_26
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    Cited by:

    1. IGARASHI Akira & MIWA Hirofumi & ONO Yoshikuni, 2022. "How Do Racial Cues Affect Attitudes toward Immigrants in a Racially Homogeneous Country? Evidence from a survey experiment in Japan," Discussion papers 22091, Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry (RIETI).
    2. Young, Dannagal G. & Rasheed, Huma & Bleakley, Amy & Langbaum, Jessica B., 2022. "The politics of mask-wearing: Political preferences, reactance, and conflict aversion during COVID," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 298(C).
    3. Tereza Capelos & Mikko Salmela & Gabija Krisciunaite, 2022. "Grievance Politics: An Empirical Analysis of Anger Through the Emotional Mechanism of Ressentiment," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 10(4), pages 384-395.

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