David Smith quoted in 鈥楺uartz鈥 article on the psychology of Trump supporters

David Livingstone Smith
David Livingstone Smith

David Livingstone Smith, Ph.D., professor of philosophy, was quoted in an article for Quartz, a digital news outlet. The article, titled 鈥淚nside the Trump machine: the bizarre psychology of America鈥檚 newest political movement,鈥 investigates how Trump has gained great popularity despite defying the rules of electoral politics and civil discourse.

As Smith notes, 鈥淭he interesting thing about Trump is although he is very rich, people feel a kind of class kinship with him鈥攊n other words, he鈥檚 not an elite. He speaks in a way that resonates with a certain sort of person.鈥

Smith continues, stating 鈥淭here are certain things he can say that everyone really believes that the other politicians can鈥檛 say鈥攆or instance 鈥業 played the game, I gave money to these politicians to get them to do what I want.鈥欌 He explains that 鈥淣one of the other politicians can say that. I think that really resonates. They feel something profoundly authentic about Trump.鈥