Illusory Promises: Fear, Rhetoric, and Deception

Donald Trump’s appeal to his base has been built on a carefully crafted narrative that paints him as a champion of the average American, an outsider battling a corrupt political system, and someone willing to take bold, often controversial, action to achieve his goals. However, many of his claims about his achievements and policies do not align with the reality of their outcomes. Understanding why this disconnect exists requires looking deeper into the narratives he pushes, the emotions they stir, and how they resonate with his supporters, despite their often tenuous relationship with the facts.

On the economic front, Trump often claims that his administration ushered in an era of unprecedented job growth, wage increases, and economic prosperity. While the pre-pandemic economy did show some strength, much of this was a continuation of trends that began under President Obama. Job growth during Trump’s first three years was strong, but not historically high, and wage growth was uneven, with much of the benefits going to the upper end of the income scale. His signature tax cut, which he promised would boost wages and bring jobs back to the U.S., mostly benefited corporations and the wealthy. Instead of reinvesting their tax savings in job creation, many companies engaged in stock buybacks, which enriched shareholders but did little for workers. Despite these facts, Trump’s narrative of being the architect of an economic boom resonates with many voters who felt better off during his tenure, largely because of how he framed his policies in simple, accessible terms that spoke to their concerns about jobs and the economy.

The promise to repeal and replace Obamacare was another major pillar of Trump’s campaign and presidency. He railed against the Affordable Care Act, claiming it was a disaster and promising to replace it with something “much better.” However, despite years of promises, the Trump administration failed to deliver on this pledge. Efforts to repeal the ACA faltered in Congress, and no comprehensive alternative was ever presented. Instead, Trump’s actions weakened the ACA, leading to higher premiums in some cases and uncertainty in the healthcare markets. Nonetheless, his attacks on Obamacare played well with his base, many of whom harbored deep-seated resentment against the law, often fueled by misinformation about its costs and effects. Trump’s rhetoric on healthcare tapped into frustrations about rising healthcare costs, but his failure to offer a real solution left many of those same voters vulnerable to the very problems he claimed he would fix.

Trump’s promise to build a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border and make Mexico pay for it was perhaps the most iconic symbol of his presidency. He framed illegal immigration as a major threat to the safety and security of the U.S., linking it to exaggerated claims of crime, drug trafficking, and economic decline. This messaging resonated with many Americans, particularly those who saw immigration as a cultural and economic threat. The reality, however, was far less dramatic. While some sections of the wall were built, Mexico did not pay for it, and much of the funding came from U.S. taxpayers, including money diverted from military budgets, including that which had been reserved for troops and their families. Moreover, the wall did little to address the root causes of illegal immigration or the flow of drugs, which primarily enter the country through legal ports of entry. Still, the wall became a powerful symbol for Trump’s base, representing his commitment to national sovereignty and law and order, even though the actual results of the policy were limited.

On trade, Trump’s tough stance on China and his renegotiation of trade deals like NAFTA were central to his economic platform. He promised to bring back manufacturing jobs and reduce the trade deficit by imposing tariffs and striking better deals for American workers. While he accomplished some changes, it was not the radical overhaul that Trump had promised. His tariffs on China sparked a trade war that hurt many American industries, particularly agriculture, leading to retaliatory tariffs from China and forcing the U.S. to bail out farmers to offset the economic damage. The trade deficit with China remained largely unchanged, and many manufacturing jobs that were supposed to return never did. Automation and global supply chains, rather than unfair trade practices, were the primary drivers of job losses in manufacturing, but Trump’s narrative of blaming foreign countries resonated with voters who felt left behind by globalization. This scapegoating of foreign competitors, coupled with his America First rhetoric, fueled a sense of nationalism and protectionism, which, despite its economic shortcomings, struck a chord with his base.

On the global stage, Trump claimed that his America First policy would restore the U.S. as a dominant power, making other nations respect America again. He frequently criticized allies for not paying their “fair share” in defense agreements, withdrew from key international accords like the Paris Climate Agreement and the Iran nuclear deal, and imposed tariffs on long-standing trade partners. While his rhetoric portrayed these actions as bold steps to reassert U.S. strength, the reality was a weakening of U.S. alliances and increased isolation. Many of his actions strained relationships with traditional allies in Europe and Asia, while adversaries like China and Russia took advantage of the growing rift. His trade wars caused economic disruptions without yielding significant concessions, and his withdrawal from international agreements left the U.S. on the sidelines of crucial global negotiations. Despite these failures, his base often saw his confrontational approach as evidence that he was standing up for America, even as the country’s global influence diminished.

Trump’s broader anti-establishment message is perhaps his most powerful tool. He positioned himself as an outsider, someone willing to take on the “deep state” and the corrupt elites in Washington. This message resonated with many Americans who were fed up with politicians who seemed out of touch with their concerns. However, the reality of Trump’s presidency was far from a clean break from corruption or establishment politics. His administration was plagued by scandals, and many of his top officials were either indicted or resigned under a cloud of controversy. Trump himself faced two impeachments, the first for abuse of power and the second for inciting the January 6 insurrection. Far from draining the swamp, his presidency was mired in conflicts of interest and legal challenges. Yet, for many of his supporters, these controversies were seen not as evidence of his wrongdoing but as proof that he was under attack from the very establishment he claimed to be fighting. The notion of a “deep state” conspiracy theory allowed Trump to frame himself as a victim, further solidifying his base’s loyalty, despite facts to the contrary.

At the core of Trump’s appeal is his ability to tap into emotions like fear, resentment, and anger. His rhetoric often plays on sexual, racial and cultural anxieties, linking issues like immigration, crime, and economic decline to minority groups and foreign influences. This has led to accusations of stoking sexism, racism and xenophobia, which are not without merit. His comments about immigrants, his handling of the Charlottesville white supremacist rally, and his frequent use of dog whistles have emboldened far-right groups and legitimized hate speech. However, for many of his supporters, these messages resonate because they reflect deeper fears about the changing demographics and culture of the U.S. Trump’s ability to channel these anxieties into political action has been one of his most effective, albeit divisive, strategies.

Trump’s policies and rhetoric have been successful in maintaining a strong base of support, despite their often illusory nature. His ability to simplify complex issues, scapegoat foreign competitors and marginalized groups, and position himself as a victim of a corrupt system has allowed him to deflect criticism and keep his base energized. However, the reality of his policies often falls short of his promises, with many of the benefits he touts being overstated or nonexistent. Despite this, the emotional appeal of his messaging, combined with a deep distrust of traditional institutions, continues to fuel his support, even as the facts tell a different story.