In their own words: trying to understand Trump voters

Like many, I’m trying to escape political news since the election. But I can’t shut down my thoughts about Trump voters. 

How could they?

I want to understand so that I don’t hate them. 

I’d like to know what they think overrules Trump’s racism, misogyny, and overall hatefulness — if those are not why they like him.

“[W]e have too often assumed that Trump voters are racist, sexist, transphobic, or just stupid. I mean, what else could bring someone to vote for him?” historian Jonathan Zimmerman wrote after the election.

Not hanging around with Trump voters, I looked online for explanations in their own words. Here are some comments from various websites.

“It's not because I like his personality, that's for sure. I think he's the one to take care of the economy, the oil issues, and the border issues.”

“During Trump's presidency, everything was much lower.”

“Food is very expensive. Everything is very expensive.” 

“I can’t wait to afford groceries and gas.” 

“Everything's gone up for us, and I don't see wages going up, so that's very problematic for people that are just trying to survive and take care of their family.”

“The economy was good when Trump was in.”

“Trump has a handle on making it about the American economy first and the American worker first.”

“I think there is a higher likelihood that we will have a good economy with Trump.”

“We just want less crime, secure borders, a strong economy, affordable prices, and fairness in the labor market. We believe President Trump will deliver on those.”

“Veterans and homeless and needy citizens suffered as local governments spent billions for newly arrived migrants. . . . When my mother came to America as a single mother of two, she did not get any benefits.”

“As a legal immigrant, I feel good about this. I feel seen.”

“Latinos in the past were supportive of the Democratic Party, but it has not been very supportive of us. The bottom line is money.”

“I lost a lot of jobs just because they wanted to hire someone that was willing to take way-lower pay than normal.” 

“I am a Gen Z man. Trump never talked down to me, or told me I am the problem, or tried to influence how I should behave.”

“I believe that he will not let as many wars happen.”

“He speaks of war as something that is bad.”

“His election brings me hope for a better future.”

“I believe that we need a change, and we have to put Americans first.”

Those comments aren’t entirely free of prejudice, but most do not sound like they came from the mouths of the Proud Boys. 

“Trump’s base cannot simply be dismissed as racist deplorables or country bumpkins in red MAGA hats,” Rutgers University–Newark professor Alex Hinton told The Conversation. “Many people have thoughtful reasons for voting for Trump.”

While I disagree that Trump’s policies are solutions, people are entitled to judge for themselves how their lives are going.

Financially secure, I’d underestimated how much other people are worried about high prices. I feared Trump’s threat to democracy while others feared their families going hungry.

I didn’t realize how deep the perception of unfairness is.

I didn’t get how much Trump voters consider Democrats sanctimonious and condescending.

None of this is to suggest that Democrats should change our positions and principles. I’m still appalled and terrified by Trump. But we could show a more welcoming attitude when Trump voters have buyer’s remorse, as I expect many will. You don’t win over people by thinking them racist, sexist, and too stupid to know what’s good for them.

It’s been a sobering two weeks.