In a letter to George Washington in 1795, John Jay wrote, “Demagogues will constantly flatter the passions and prejudices of the multitude; and will never cease to employ improper arts against those who will not be their instruments.” He added, “I have known many demagogues, but I have never known one honest man among them.”
In his attacks on Mexicans, Muslims, Judge Curiel, and his indirectly linking Senator Cruz’s father to JFK’s assassin and President Obama to the ISIS terrorist organization that inspired the massacre in Orlando, one has seen unmistakable examples of what Jay had described. During the course of his campaign, Trump has repeatedly exploited fear, prejudice, and tragedy in his naked pursuit of power. He has also shown a total disregard for the costs, consequences, and fallout that might result from his reckless rhetoric, extensive deployment of Identity Politics, and other deplorable conduct.
A presentation by SUNY Plattsburgh Communications Professor J. Justin Gustainis on the academic literature pertaining to demagogues reveals that what one is witnessing today from Donald Trump is, in fact, what one would expect from a demagogue. In his presentation, Gustainis observed, “The…demagogue cannot function in an atmosphere of social harmony and tolerance. Historically, demagogues have only been successful in periods of turmoil, division, and anxiety.”
Trump describes the nation as weak, poor, and no longer capable of winning. He argues that the nation’s political leaders are weak, ineffective, and incapable of addressing the nation’s challenges. He portrays a threatening world outside the U.S. and threats from within (from the ethnic, religious, and other groups he targets in his intolerant rhetoric). He is literally pitting American against American, breeding anxiety, division, and at least some risk of violence.
Gustainis continued, “In order to gain broad popular support, the…demagogue will attempt to create a crisis mentality in his audience… It is this irrational behavior the demagogue will try to encourage and channel… The ‘drastic action’ which the demagogue talks about usually involves the audience giving him political power… The demagogue…proposes himself as the audience’s savior. Once the audience is convinced of the existence of crisis, the demagogue promises to restore order… The salvation is provided (at least rhetorically) by the demagogue himself.”
Trump’s response in the wake of the Orlando massacre fits that description. His crude attempt to claim credit for warning about such attacks is aimed at bolstering his credibility to provide the solution. His trying to pin the attack on bad policies from President Obama is aimed at disqualifying Hillary Clinton, Obama's former Secretary of State, as a leader capable of addressing the problem. Thus, he’s trying to position himself as the only person who can address the threat of terrorism and the only candidate worthy of support.
Gustainis added, “Simplicity is a hallmark of much political rhetoric… But the demagogue takes this prudent idea one step further—he oversimplifies the solutions to complex problems. This has the double advantage of making the demagogue’s oversimplified solution understandable to the mass audience, and making that solution seem preferable to the more complex, realistic solutions offered by mainstream politicians… the demagogue…focuses much of his rhetoric at the ‘non-thinking side of human nature…’”
It’s no accident that Trump has argued that a trade war can make manufacturing jobs return to the U.S. It's no coincidence that he has blamed Muslims in general, not the extremely tiny slice of the religious group, for terrorism. It’s no accident he has called for the oversimplified approach of creating a national Muslim database, banning Muslims from traveling or immigrating to the U.S. That such a course is unethical in its imposing collective guilt on all Muslims, not to mention unconstitutional, is completely irrelevant. This oversimplification to the point of extremes is what demagogues do.
Later, Gustainis explained, “…demagogues tend not to be interested in serious discussion of issues. Instead, they are inclined to offer personal appeals and emotion. These are often provided at mass meetings, which are an attempt to take an advantage of crowd psychology.”
Trump has already stated that he is his own “primary consultant” on foreign policy. He has shown little willingness to listen to various Republican officials. He failed to develop substantive policy proposals, even as he has made big and bold promises of restoring national greatness. It’s also no accident that he favors large rallies over other types of campaign events.
Trump is a classic demagogue. He arguably is the first one who has been empowered by the 21st century's instruments of mass communication and Social Media.