From Division to Understanding: Why We Must Move Past the ‘Mental Illness’ Myth in Politics

The Jack Hopkins Now Newsletter #323

Why Calling Trump Supporters "Mentally Ill" Is Erroneous—and What We Can Learn From It

In today’s highly polarized political climate…it's become far too common to hear sweeping generalizations about the "other side."

Few, perhaps…have done it more than I have. However, as someone who reads the posts of others…I know I’m anything but alone.

One of the most troubling and counterproductive generalizations is the idea that Trump supporters are mentally ill.

“They’re retarded”, “Only someone who is crazy would vote for him,” or “You have to be sick in the head to support him” are someone of the common comments that pop up in comments or posts about Donald Trump’s supporters.

The narrative of mental illness has gained traction…but…it is not only scientifically inaccurate…it also harms our ability to understand the real reasons why people align with Trump’s political ideology.

If we want to create effective campaigns and truly connect with voters…we need to dispel this myth once and for all.

The Psychological Fallacy of “Mentally Ill” Labeling

At first glance, it might seem tempting to categorize Trump supporters as suffering from mental illness or psychological issues.

I know from experience… it does provide me with a temporary sense of mental and emotional relief to do so. I’m not ashamed to admit that.

However, this isn’t about me…and I need to remind myself of that constantly. It’s about winning elections…overwhelmingly. To do that, we’ve got to be able to have sensible discussions based on facts…and help plan for future elections with what we learn.

Believe me, I understand that the support for Trump, especially in the face of countless controversies…seems illogical to many on the left. That’s crystal clear in my mind.

But the notion that there’s a direct link between Trump’s supporters and mental illness is not just erroneous…it’s dangerous. (I’ll address the exceptions at the end)

The idea assumes that those who disagree with us are not just misguided but somehow suffering from psychological disorders.

Let’s pause and ask ourselves: Does this narrative help us understand why people support Trump?

Or…does it create a further divide...preventing us from seeing the complexities of voter behavior and their genuine concerns?

Understanding Mental Health: It’s Not a Political Tool

Mental health disorders…like anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder…are the result of complex factors…including genetics…environment…and life experiences... but political ideology is not one of them.

The truth is that mental illness is not confined to any political party.

People from all walks of life…from different regions and backgrounds…can and do experience mental health challenges.

To suggest that Trump’s supporters are somehow more prone to mental illness than others…is simply a stereotype that isn’t rooted in fact.

Instead of seeing mental health as something that should unite us as a human experience…some have weaponized it in an attempt to delegitimize an entire group of people based on their political beliefs.

The idea that Trump supporters are mentally ill overlooks the real psychological mechanisms at play.

It also overlooks the genuine motivations….that drive people to support him. That’s what we…and campaign managers desperately need to zero in on, learn…and implement.

The Psychological Truth About Political Polarization

Let’s talk about psychology and politics…two things that interact more than we may think.

Political leanings…especially extreme ones..can reflect deeper psychological traits. Studies show that certain personality traits are associated with political ideologies.

For example, liberals may score higher on traits like openness to experience…while conservatives may show higher levels of orderliness and conservatism in thinking.

But none of these traits inherently reflect mental illness.

Instead, they reflect deeply ingrained psychological preferences for structure versus fluidity…conservative values vs. progressive ideals. (and yes…there is research that shows a biological basis for this)

We also know that political polarization can lead to increased stress…anxiety…and frustration...but these are not symptoms of a mental disorder…they are the natural result of living in a politically charged environment.

It’s easy to imagine how a supporter of Trump might feel the strain of constant attacks on his policies and persona. It feels…well…very similar to how it feels when they are constantly Democratic policies and how they beat President Biden up daily about his age.

This stress…while significant…doesn’t automatically indicate that their views are rooted in mental illness. The same applies to us.

What it does indicate is that Trump supporters are reacting to their environment... to the political climate... to a culture of polarization.

They are expressing a set of beliefs that reflect their values…their fears…and their vision of what America should be. That’s not mental illness. That’s political ideology. It’s one that doesn’t align with the Constitution…but…it’s still not mental illness.

Why This Myth Must Be Dispelled

To move forward effectively in any election or campaign…we must stop framing the opposition as mentally compromised or irrational. Here’s why:

It Distorts the Real Motivations Behind Support for Trump:

By attributing Trump support to mental illness…we miss the real psychological and sociopolitical reasons that drive many voters.

Supporters often feel unheard…economically marginalized…or deeply alienated by the political elites. They may be motivated by a sense of patriotism…traditionalism…and a desire for change.

Treating them as mentally ill dismisses these valid feelings and needs.

It Alienates Potential Voters:

The more we frame Trump supporters as mentally ill, the more we push them further away from engaging with us.

The "us versus them" mentality becomes solidified…making it harder for us to bridge the gap.

I can only imagine that at least some of you feel as I do: “I don’t WANT to bridge the gap! F*ck’em!!” However, if we are to contribute to preserving democracy…we must at least attempt to bridge the gap.

People want to feel understood…not insulted. If we’re ever going to win their votes (No, I don’t mean all of them. I mean enough of them), we need to listen and understand…rather than engage in character assassination.

(I’m writing to myself every bit as much as I’m writing to you.)

It Reinforces Political Divisions:

Suggesting someone "mentally ill" because of their political views serves only to reinforce polarization.

The language we use to describe our opposition shapes how we engage with them. When we paint them with broad strokes as psychologically flawed…we cut off any chance of meaningful dialogue.

We can…and should…question the clarity of their thinking and cognition. However, there’s a hell of a lot of illogical thinking that goes on in the world by millions of people who are anything but mentally ill or “crazy.”

It Undermines Mental Health Advocacy:

By wrongly associating political ideology with mental illness…we risk perpetuating the stigma around mental health.

Instead of using mental health as a tool for understanding and support, we cheapen it by using it as a way to discredit people we disagree with.

It’s time to set that myth aside and approach mental health with the seriousness it deserves.

The Real Strategy: Understanding and Empathy

If we’re truly interested in effective campaigns that win elections…we must understand the real reasons behind voters’ choices.

We need to step away from stereotypes and focus on the human element…the desires, the fears…and the struggles of the electorate.

Whether someone supports Trump or any other political figure…they are making a decision based on a complex mix of personal values…experiences…and societal influences.

To earn votes from the people, we need…we must do the hard work of listening and understanding.

I know; we’ve been beat up…and feel black and blue, so that might be hard to hear. However…I sense that most of us… realize the usefulness in doing so…in the name of freedom and democracy.

By understanding what drives someone to support a candidate…we (and political campaigns and our candidates) can craft messages that speak to their concerns…offer solutions…and build bridges.

Treating voters with respect…even those we disagree with…even if the thought sickens us….is the strategic thing to do. (Yes, it’s also the most human thing to do, but…admittedly, that’s not my primary focus. Winning elections is.)

The Path Forward: Turning Understanding into Action

Now, let’s talk about how this information can help us win more elections.

If we stop labeling Trump supporters as mentally ill and instead focus on understanding their concerns…we gain invaluable insights.

These insights can fuel targeted campaigns that directly address the economic… cultural…and psychological concerns that drive their political decisions.

By focusing on facts…we can create strategies that are based on empirical evidence and real human experience…strategies that will resonate with voters and help us build lasting coalitions across political divides.

A New Approach for Winning Elections

The myth that Trump supporters are mentally ill needs to be dispelled…not just for the sake of accuracy…but for the future of our political campaigns.

If we genuinely want to engage with voters and understand what drives them…we should consider that we might stop dehumanizing them. That’s what they’ve done to us…and are still doing.

Naturally, it almost feels right to do back to someone…what they are doing to you. But…again….we have to fight the intelligent way.

Instead, we must lean into understanding…and data-driven strategies.

When we shift away from dismissive labels and embrace a more intellectual and well-thought-out approach, we can build better campaigns, ones that reach more people… win more votes…and ultimately make a real difference.

I invited you to consider the case for understanding the real reasons behind voter behavior.

The road to successful elections starts with listening and understanding.

The more we understand…the more we can win. It’s time to take action based on the facts…and start building the future we all deserve.

I’ll be back again soon.

Best,

Jack