9/11 and Donald Trump

Maybe a strange forum section to post this in, but it kind of fits.

What effect has the events of 9/11 had on the rise of Donald Trump and all he stands for? Myself, I can't really put a particular "ism" to the MAGA phenomenon. A lot of words are bandied about, but what really fits? Not sure.

Maybe this question has been asked before, but it has come into my mind and I think it worth asking.

Hopefully this will not degenerate into useless arguments and name calling.

9/11. When the heart of American is struck in the way it was, this by "foreign" forces, the whole thing must have had some sort of deep seated effect upon the American psyche. Would any such effect have contributed to the apparent popularity of Donald Trump?

Just asking.

Thanks

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LordShadowfire · 46-50, M

It's a mixture of toxic beliefs. Xenophobia, chauvinism (by which I mean toxic nationalism, not hatred of women), isolationism, tribalism, and one that I can't quite name that is common among conservatives of all stripes, a desire for a strong leader.

It's no coincidence that a lot of far-right Republicans have daddy issues. They look for a strong male leader in politics because they didn't have one growing up.

LesDawsonsPiano · 70-79

@LordShadowfire I can see how the mixture you speak.of may have been exacerbated by the events of 9/11. Certainly isolationism.

dancingtongue · 80-89, M

@LordShadowfire @LesDawsonsPiano I agree to some extent with both of you. I believe the underlying factor is that as much as "trending" as become a driving societal force in our digital culture, people basically don't like change. A large segment of the population prefers the comfort of the life and values they grew up in, and resent having to cope with globalism, past inequities and injustices. Not so much in urban settings, particularly along the coasts, where populations have been denser, more diverse, and more reliant on international trade. Concommitment with that came the increasing importance of a college education for higher paying jobs, the reduction in manufacturing jobs, and the implosion of objective journalism through the explosion of broadcast and social media based more on opinion and entertainment that factual reporting. Hence you have a backlash against the educational systems and what little "mainstream media" remains for "teaching" about changes going on in the world; a resentment of appearing not to be heard; a yearning for the simpler days of when an Eisenhower or Reagan appeared to make things run in a simpler world. With no appreciation for the fact that in those days the parties only campaigned against each other for a few months before elections, then turned to finding common areas where they could compromise and work on pragmatic solutions to governing rather than 24/7 demonizing year around.

I believe all the things you both have mentioned are boiling in the cauldron, but the cauldron is a fear of change, imho. With little recognition that they may have unleashed far more change than they envisioned, and not all for the past comfort zone they sought.

LesDawsonsPiano · 70-79

@dancingtongue You may have hit some sort of paradox - a fear of change (or at least, wanting things the way they were) actually bringing forth unimaginable change - and not for the best.

"And what rough beast, its hour come round at last,Slouches towards Bethlehem to be born?”

(Lines from "The Second Coming" W B Yeats)

LordShadowfire · 46-50, M

@dancingtongue I completely forgot about fear of change. You're absolutely right. That's the underlying motive for these people, and so many misunderstandings occur because of that.