Donald Trump and Conspiracy Theories

[liberal N proud]

Donald Trump and Conspiracy Theories: What a Poll in 2011 Signaled

This is below the middle of the article... It explains a lot, not just Donalds bunch.

The political scientists Joseph Uscinski and Joseph Parent, who wrote the book “American Conspiracy Theories,” say that those on the left and the right believe in conspiracies roughly equally. But education can matter: “Forty-two percent of those without a high school diploma are high in conspiratorial predispositions, compared with 23 percent with postgraduate degrees.”

Not having a high school degree is one of the highest correlates for Trump support. (And people with postgraduate degrees are increasinglyleaning to the left.)

Mr. Uscinski and Mr. Parent found that high-stress situations like job uncertainty “prompt people to concoct, embrace and repeat conspiracy theories.” Other research shows that conspiracy theories can be a coping mechanism for uncertainty and powerlessness.

One study found that conservatives who believe in conspiracy theories know more about politics than conservatives who don’t. This correlation was not found for liberals. Presumably, these politically engaged conservatives would be more likely to vote in primaries.

Last week, Public Policy Polling revisited Mr. Trump’s attraction to conspiracy theories. Among voters who viewed him favorably, PPP found that 65 percent think President Obama is a Muslim; 59 percent think he was not born in the United States; 27 percent think vaccines cause autism; 24 percent think Justice Antonin Scalia was murdered; and 7 percent think Ted Cruz’s father was involved in the assassination of President Kennedy. (We should probably allow for the possibility that some survey-takers wanted to poke or provoke with their responses.)

A big source of conspiracy theories is elections. Many Americans believe they’re often decided by cheating. In The Los Angeles Times in 2014, Mr. Uscinski and Mr. Parent wrote:

The birther movement, which gave life to Mr. Trump’s political career, fits the pattern. It argues that President Obama did not actually win his elections because he was ineligible to be president.

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/donald-trump-and-conspiracy-theories-what-a-poll-in-2011-signaled/ar-BBtc0Oa?li=BBnb7Kz

[pampango]

1. "In 2011 demonstrated his willingness and ability to mine anger and racial and ethnic resentment

Mr. Trump said, “China is raping us.” Four years later, he said Mexico was sending rapists to the United States.

Mr. Trump showed in 2011 how he would deploy conspiracy theories, associating with conspiracy purveyors like Alex Jones, a syndicated radio host.

That way of thinking suggests a possible out for Mr. Trump if he loses in November: accusations of cheating by the other side. Those wishing for him to be humbled may be disappointed. Could he really lose if he never accepts the loss?

Since Donald is a WINNER. If he loses in November, he must have been CHEATED. We should not expect him to go gracefully into that good night. Even his defeat may be chaotic.