Many Democrats Ask "Why Would Someone Vote for Trump?!" But Don't Really Give a Shit What the Real Answers Are: They Only Want Comfortable Answers (And Donald Loves it!)

The Jack Hopkins Now Newsletter # 247

This is an issue I hadn’t planned on writing...until late last night. An encounter with a follower on Bluesky all but guaranteed this particular writing would occur.

Having voted for both Republicans and Democrats (I voted for Obama, Biden, and Harris) and having written obsessively as a social media influencer for the Democratic party after roughly 45-plus years of identifying as a Republican, I have noticed a few things that many people who have only ever belonged to one party...seemingly miss out on entirely.

Let’s talk about one of those things.

The question I’ve seen asked thousands of times on social media...by people from both the Republican and Democratic parties is “How could anyone vote for Trump/Biden?! I just don’t get it!!” for example. (Over the years, you could change the names of the presidents. This didn’t just start with Trump/Biden)

Here's the problem: From what I have observed (and as a social scientist, my observation skills are well-honed), very few people who ask that question really want to know the answers. They are only open to answers that fit within their current narratives and frames of reference to make sense of the world.

Think about the lunacy of that. The fact they don’t know the answers (as evidenced by them asking the question in the first place) is a reliable indication that the answers they are seeking will only be found outside of the current narratives and frames of reference.

Human beings being human beings, there is generally a significant degree of resistance to opening our minds up to answers outside of the belief system we’ve been using.

As a social scientist, staying outside of a static belief system has been much easier for me than it is for the average person. First, because of my education and experience in human behavior/psychology/sociology, I am far less prone to looking at people as “Republicans” and “Democrats.” Sure, I use those descriptions almost daily in social media posts, but only to distinguish for the reader which political party I’m referring to and when.

Human beings are all different, but they are all the same. You can un-human yourself. I can reliably predict many things about your behavior without ever having laid eyes on you. I can do that because you are human, just like me, my neighbor, your neighbor, and everyone else. Beneath all the sameness, we will find differences.

As it turns out, we often get so focused on our differences that we don’t see the ways we are alike. Conversely, we sometimes get so overly focused on how we are all the same that we fail to consider the countless and meaningful ways we are all different.

To most accurately assess human behavior, we must be able to switch between noticing the sameness and the differences. Staying stuck in either one for long will skew our assessment in ways that can lead to way off the mark—and sometimes horribly so.

Late last night, I shared a post by Aaron Rupar, in which he said, “Elizabeth Warren says she thinks Trump’s talk of taking over Greenland and the Panama Canal is a distraction from his terrible nominees like Hegseth, Gabbard, and RFK Jr.” I said, “Sometimes she’s looney. This is one of them.”

Predictably, several women immediately commented, “Don’t call her looney!” This is a post about the erroneous assessment of Trump’s seriousness of possibly using the military to take Greenland by force, and their focus went to me calling her assessment “looney?” Talk about being distracted. Continued below….

*** A note on why her assessment of Trump’s threats as just being a distraction from his cabinet picks was “looney.” Do you think ANY person attending the confirmation hearings will walk in so “distracted” by the Greenland issue that they develop amnesia for all of the facts their staffers have put in their briefings…that they carry into the hearings with them? This is a ludicrous claim.

Just like you and I, the adults in Washington are also capable of being aware of several different things without losing sight of the seriousness of the others just because they happen to be talking about one of them right now.

Nobody is getting fucking “distracted” by Greenland, so it becomes advantageous to Trump on other issues he’s working out. This is not how things work, and Warren has been involved in politics for more than long enough to be very clear about this.

Lastly, she fails to consider that Donald Trump doesn’t need to distract anyone from anything. He has an agenda, and he will push as much of it through as quickly as possible. He’s not playing some dumb ass game of, “Look over THERE, while I secretly do THIS, over HERE!”

That’s someone’s fantasy about how things work but in no way an accurate representation of how things ARE working.

Donald Trump is serious when he talks about taking Greenland and Panama. Whether he gets it pulled off is another story, but to suggest that he’s just saying these things to create a “distraction” is incredibly irresponsible for someone in Warren’s position to be saying. It’s simply not true.****

Continued…

However, one woman in particular took it a step further, asking, “Would you have said the same thing about a man?” Yep. That’s right.

From comment #1, she was determined to twist my post into an issue of gender bias; more specifically, as her subsequent comments would reveal, I had only posted that because I was determined to undermine Warren because she is a woman, and any disagreement with the woman who was commenting, only served as “proof” to her that I hated all women.

My non-professional assessment of this woman is that she was nuttier than a Goddamned fruit cake; she likely hates men and probably seeks out arguments like this with men frequently.

She likely believes that most men are “woman haters” (and has such a vague description of “woman hater” that most any comment by a man will qualify), and since that’s not the case. Counter-examples flourish all around her each day; she has to work endlessly to enter threads like mine so she can attempt to “prove” her theory is correct. In short, it’s neurotic as hell.

Democrats (just as is the case for Republicans regarding Biden) do not want to face the facts about why so many Independents voted for Trump and put him over the line for the win.

They’ll ask the question, “Why in the hell would ANYONE vote for Trump?!” but throw their hands over their ears and close their eyes anytime someone with any knowledge on the subject starts to explain “Why” to them in the brutally honest way the answer warrants being delivered with.

While it represents just one of many slivers of the attitudes and behaviors held by some in the Democratic party that disgust lots and lots of Independents, it’s as important to the collective reasons as one strand of fiber is to the rope as a whole.

I can tell you that as a human being, I was utterly disgusted by her attempt to take a post that didn’t have a fucking thing to do with gender and insist that I was “one of those men” who loves to “degrade” women.

As previously stated, I was a Republican in heart and mind for decades. I still live in the heart of rural Trump country and interact with Trump supporters often. (There aren’t many non-Trump supporters in the area I live)

When I tell you that both Independent men and women who voted for Trump want to puke each time they see a display of ignorance like “Laurie” (her real name) showed last night. They are repulsed by it, just as I was.

So, after several exchanges with her, I had a hunch about what I would find on her homepage. I was right; while a man is “sexist” if he calls a woman’s statement “looney,” ...she finds it acceptable to make gross generalizations about ANYONE who disagrees with her assessment of this post. If you don’t agree with her...you’re just “stupid,” end of story.

You and I both know you can’t take someone like this seriously. Their life is a series of one internal conflict after another, and it finds them engaging in what could easily be defined as unstable behavior.

Ahhh...but, here’s the problem. Independents DO take someone like Laurie seriously. They associate them with the entirety of the Democratic party, just as assuredly as Democrats associate J6 insurrectionists with the Republican party as a whole.

And, it’s why both male and female independents want to puke when they see someone behaving in the manner Laurie did.

They don’t look at the angle she took as “feminist” behavior, per se; they see it as stupid fucking human behavior...and want nothing to do with a party that treats that kind of thinking as “normal.” (and I certainly can’t blame them)

The even more pathetic thing was the number of men who just reflexively “liked” her comments as though she was making some grand points of accuracy.

Again, the behavior of someone like Laurie’s comments was off-putting enough; when you heap the mindless support from these men (the very gender Laurie was enjoying bashing), it’s another step too far for Independent voters. They see it as being fucked up thinking (which I agree with 100%), and it plays an important part in why they voted for someone like Trump.

Oh, I know...it’s far more comfortable and convenient just to call every Republican who voted for Trump “all fucked up,” “mentally ill,” “brainwashed,” or part of Trump’s “criminal world,”...but, of course, deep down inside we all know that’s simply not true.

We like that explanation because it keeps things tidy...and, most of all...simple.

It keeps us from having to do the work that counts more than virtually any other work a party that is genuinely determined to win will be willing to do: Looking at and calling out the behavior within the Democratic party that drives enough people in the opposite direction that we lose elections.

It’s very seldom that we find a party that is mature enough to be willing to deeply engage in doing this kind of hard work.

Tens of millions of men and women now have their self-esteem tied so directly to the number of “likes,” “shares,” and favorable comments that they don’t dare risk posting something that might alienate those who follow them. Again, this is just Human Behavior 101.

Very few are aware they are even a participant in this kind of thing, and even fewer are comfortable enough in their own skin to stop allowing others to dictate how they engage on social media. It’s fascinating to watch it play out, for sure.

Unfortunately, when it comes to winning elections...it’s also devastating...because it prevents people from doing the work that matters most: Addressing the issues in their own party.

The Republican party (which doesn’t really exist any longer) has some serious issues. And anyone who won’t acknowledge that the Democratic party has some serious problems of its own...is probably still sleeping with a Disney character nightlight.

Ask yourself: Do I want the Democratic party ever to win another election? If the answer is yes, and you mean it, then you better be willing to get tough on the elected officials and voters in the Democratic party.

Because, should there ever be another election, if the very consequential issues aren’t addressed adequately, the Democratic party will get its fucking ass handed to it...again...and by an even larger margin in 2028. Count on it.

While I’m focused on the people who engage in the make-believe “sexist” accusations in this issue, trust that I’ll be writing about other, similar issues that disgust the living shit out of Independents...and that will continue driving more and more of them away unless some changes are made in how this party approaches winning...and thinking, period.

The political landscape in the United States has significantly shifted in recent years. The number of independent voters has risen, and they are increasingly disillusioned with traditional party lines.

These politically engaged individuals, often in their mid-30s to mid-50s, value social issues but feel alienated by the partisan gridlock that dominates American politics.

One unexpected factor that has pushed some independents to support President Donald Trump is the tension between certain feminist movements and mainstream political parties. This is not even debatable, so if this is a point you want to argue, you’ll have to find someone who still believes it to be an arguable topic.

It’s a fact. Enough Independents are sick enough by the kind of accusations I’ve mentioned in this issue that they will not vote for a Democrat. They just won’t.

Do you want to win elections, or, would you rather feel “right,” even though you’re getting your ass handed to you on a silver platter one election after another.

Understanding the Independent Voter

Independent voters play a crucial role in elections, often deciding the outcome of races. They decided the 2024 election. These individuals are characterized by their social consciousness, valuing authenticity in candidates (“But Donald Trump isn’t authentic,” some scream). It doesn’t matter; they BELIEVE he is authentic. (I’ll write more on this in the persuasion series.) They are also disillusioned with the two-party system.

While independents have historically leaned towards one party or the other, recent trends show a growing number of voters choosing to remain unaffiliated...which means you can’t count on having the Independent votes you had in this election...in the next one. More and more, those votes will be up for grabs.

The Evolution of Feminism in Politics

Feminism has a long history of influencing political discourse and shaping policies related to gender equality. Growing up in the seventies, I witnessed many opportunities for women to develop because of gender advances.

From the suffragette movement to contemporary intersectional feminism, the ideology has evolved to encompass a wide range of perspectives and approaches.

Over the years, feminist rhetoric has shifted, sometimes aligning with mainstream political parties and at other times diverging from them. It is also approached and utilized in ways that many people find disturbing. The one I’ve been talking about is one such example.

Tensions Between Feminism and Traditional Party Lines

Certain feminist stances, such as the #MeToo movement and advocating for abortion rights, have polarized voters along partisan lines.

Some independent voters (enough to tilt elections) perceive elements of elitism and exclusion within certain feminist circles, leading them to feel disconnected from these movements. High-profile feminist figures like Hillary Clinton have further reinforced these divisions within party politics.

Now, I happen to like Hillary Clinton. I think she’s incredibly smart and certainly has the grit needed to overcome someone with a domineering, “LBJ” type personality.

However, my assessment of the ways Hillary shot herself in the foot with Independents comes from several observations I have made over the years.

In one interview she gave after the conviction of sexual predator Harvey Weinstein, she said, “How could we have known?” when the interviewer asked Hillary about her longstanding friendship and political relationship with Weinstein.

Bullshit. People talk. People around the industry had known about his behavior for many years. She knew (there’s no way she didn’t) but her friendship and political relationship with Weinstein paid too many dividends to drop...until the story broke on national media non-stop...and at that point she had no choice.

Same thing with Clinton’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. It was well-documented. There is no conceivable way in hell that both Bill and Hillary didn’t know about the enterprise of young girls Epstein was running.

This is what so many Independents over the years have told me about Hillary:

“Hillary Clinton has always tried to market herself as a feminist icon. Do you know how unbelievable that is? She stayed with Bill even after he cheated on her multiple times with an intern. She had stayed with him after women had accused him of rape while he was Governor of Arkansas. She was a very close friend of Weinstein and Epstein. Anyone believing she’s a “feminist icon” needs to have their head examined.”

I’ve also had Democrats say much the same.

It doesn’t matter that YOU would voted for Hillary Clinton in a heartbeat. You’re likely a Democrat who is going to vote Democrat no matter what. Campaign dollars don’t have to be spent to earn your vote in the next election. They’re not worried about you. They know they’ve already got your vote.

In short…people like you and I don’t matter in the race to gain votes for the Democratic candidates. We’re not who they need to go after. Again…they already have us…and they know it.

So, you can’t use what YOU would do and who YOU would vote for as a measurement of whether the Democratic party can win future elections. To increase the chances of that, it comes back to being willing to do the painful work of looking at the changes that need to be made in THIS party, and determining what those changes should be by looking at the people whose votes…the campaign dollars DO have to be spent on...to gain.

The Rise of Populism and Trump’s Appeal

President Trump's populist messaging has resonated with many independents who feel disenfranchised by the traditional political system. By positioning himself as an outsider to both mainstream politics and feminism, Trump was able to attract voters who were seeking change and a break from establishment politics.

The difference between Trump and most other politicians isn’t that he knows more; I’m sure other politicians have realized how many votes could be gained from weary Independents by positioning themselves as an outsider to feminism; there’s no doubt about it. However, no one before Trump was willing to take that bold step. He did, and politically…it was the right step.

Trump didn’t care. He still doesn’t care. If it wins elections, that’s what he will run with. It’s as simple as that.

As we now know, the anti-establishment sentiment among independents intersected with Trump's messaging, leading many to support him despite his controversial statements and policies. He aligned with what mattered MOST to them, and this is what Democrats continue to miss when trying to understand why people vote for him.

Democrats are prone to believing that Republicans should be voting for a candidate for the same reasons they are, and, in that case, the Democratic candidate is the clear choice in their mind.

That error in thinking keeps many Democrats baffled. Republicans clearly don’t have the same list of “Things that Matter to Me the Most” that Democrats do. No amount of “Republicans SHOULD...” changes that.

Republicans have an entirely different list of things that matter most to them in any given election and, thus...are voting based on very different criteria than what Democrats think they should be using to guide their decision.

Key Issues that Resonate with Independents

Independents are drawn to specific social issues that impact their daily lives and communities. Economic concerns, immigration and border security, as well as debates around law and order versus social justice, are all key issues that resonate with these voters.

The Biden administration largely failed to address border security in any way that would be interpreted as meaningful to many Independent voters who cast a vote for Trump in 2024. Why? I really don’t know. I’m not sure the Biden administration even knows the answer to that question. It was a big mistake and was one that Independent voters had firmly in mind when they voted.

Trump's focus on economic concerns, immigration and border security...were the primary topics of interest for Independent voters. The number of Independent votes hinged on making sure we had ample restroom facilities for Transgender people. This is a simple fact that needs to be reckoned with.

When you factor Trump’s rejection of political correctness (another HUGE factor for many Independent voters ) and his promise to shake up the status quo, appealed to independents who felt marginalized by traditional party lines.

In conclusion, while feminists have historically been associated with progressive politics, certain movements have inadvertently pushed some independent voters towards supporting President Trump.

By emphasizing issues that resonate differently with various voter demographics and by failing to address the concerns of all Americans, some feminists may have unintentionally (and I would argue that some, don’t give a shit) contributed to the polarization of politics and the rise of populism in the United States.

As we look toward future elections, it will be crucial for both feminists and political parties to engage with independent voters in a way that acknowledges their diverse perspectives and values.

Now, don’t be running off and saying, “Jack Hopkins says feminists are why we lost the election! He’s blaming women!!” If you’ve read this entire article, you know that claim...or anything remotely approaching it...would be one giant load of concocted horse shit; a LIE.

I made very clear in the beginning, that this was but a sliver of the collective in terms of the things enough Independents found repulsive about what they think of when it comes to the Democratic party.

It’s an important sliver and will likely only continue to become more important should we continue to have elections in the future. Still, we can discuss plenty of other reasons...and in the future...we will.

When writing on the topic of politics, and more specifically, the behavioral aspects of politicians and voters, I don’t write to make the reader comfortable. Truths cannot be adequately addressed when the author refuses to write in a manner that will make the reader feel uncomfortable and, thus, is doing a disservice to the audience by lying to them, at least with lies of omission.

Truth is very often uncomfortable, leading to people preferring to make up their own delicate fantasies about why things are the way they are instead of learning what they need to...so they can DO what they need to.

In 2028, do you want to win the election, or, do you want to feel “right,” even though you just got your ass kicked...again?

If you do what you’ve always done, you get what you’ve always gotten. You have that right. When the result is “Shitsville,” however, and you complain about it...while continuing to do what led you to “Shitsville” the last time...that’s not something to be proud of. In our case, it’s also devastating in terms of the survival of Democracy.

Stop worrying and writing endless posts about what “Republicans should do.” Do the work of examining what people in our OWN party should knock the fuck off, and be willing to call them out for it when they do...even if you risk being nudged out of your circle. This shit isn’t for the weak. Weaknesses can lose elections without any work involved. Winning is hard, and being willing to do the hard things...is where turning things around always starts.

Break out of simply thinking about the reasons YOU vote for someone, and look at the reasons the people who will cast the votes we need to have to win have for why THEY vote. Then, stop reinforcing the silly ass shit people do and say that leads to LOSING the votes from the people we needed them from.

That’s it for now.

Read this article two or three times, a day or so apart. Let it soak in a little. Think. Process.

You don’t have to like what I wrote. You don’t have to agree with it. However, rest assured, if the Democratic party and the men and women who make up its voters ignore these points…it/they will do so at their peril.

The things I’ve pointed out (and those I will be in the future) haven’t been hiding. If they have, it’s been right out in the open.

It’s just that the people who have needed to be paying attention to them…have been unwilling, and there’s been a very steep price to pay. We’re paying it right now. The interest rate, however, is insane, so….it can still get a lot worse.

We either wake up, or there will eventually be every reason to go to sleep…and stay asleep.

Remember…I appreciate YOU.

Best,

Jack

Jack Hopkins

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