I'm not a psychologist but I'm going to go out on a limb and suggest that the remaining hard-core Trump

[artemisia1]

Last edited Mon Apr 6, 2026, 03:52 PM - Edit history (1)

supporters have deep narcissistic and sociopathic traits and that their support goes beyond simply having Fox News and RW Talk Radio as their news sources. Their character is toxic and their psychology is Dark Triad.

ON EDIT: for the pedantic, please note I wrote "traits". One can have many traits of NPD and APD without meeting the full criteria for a diagnosis in the DSM. One can be equally toxic and dangerous with a collection of these traits as one who qualifies clinically for such a diagnosis. Scapegoating, a RW hallmark is a classic narcissist trait and lack of empathy defines both NPD and APD (Anti-Social Personality Disorder, formerly called psychopathy and, sometimes, sociopathy).

[Irish_Dem]

1. You are 100% correct.

[Blue Full Moon]

2. It's a cult

[MarcoZandrini]

32. The problem is....

…a member of a Qult doesn’t know he’s in a Qult.

[Whyisthisstillclose]

3. The remaining tRump supporters are a lost cause. They will never admit they were wrong about anything.

They are as damaged and evil as he is

[GenThePerservering]

4. They need apron strings to cling to

Because they can't think or act for themselves.

[Vinca]

5. If only we could get them - and Trump - in a room with a pitcher of Kool-Aid.

[kimbutgar]

6. I have a magaloon brother in law who lives in AZ

He is still in the cult but is not happy about the war in Iran because he had two sons who could be drafted. My sister is a liberal like her brother and said she and her husband just don’t talk politics to save their marriage.

[Skittles]

18. I think that is bizarre

why would anyone want to be married to someone who supports Trump

[kimbutgar]

33. She doesn't want to get divorced and is braver than me.

I would have kicked him to the curb years ago. He barely speaks to me when I visit because my husband and I are major liberal Democrats living in SF and my husband is very outspoken about politics and struggles to stay silent but does out of respect for his beloved younger sister. They have 3 adult kids both boys are magas and the only daughter is very liberal!

[Skittles]

37. sorry, I don't call that "bravery"

nope

[OhioBack2Blue]

28. That "marriage" is already lost...

..two ships passing in the night...and a ton of denial.

[kimbutgar]

34. Sadly you're probably right but my sister in law is committed to staying in that marriage

Luckily she’s a flight attendant for a major airline carrier and has mostly international routes where she’s gone 3-5 days during a trip so she does tip toe around when she’s home. I couldn’t live that way !

[Fiendish Thingy]

7. You need to do more research on symptomology of cult *followers*

Narcissists tend not to be followers.

I think you’d find way more instances of depression, anxiety than you would have NPD or antisocial personality disorder.

How many loyal German Nazis do you think were narcissists?

[artemisia1]

12. I am very well versed on narcissism and the comfort, security and sureness of a cult, political or religious, attracts

malignant narcissists as leaders and covert narcissists as followers. Cults and movements provide narcissists with the one thing they crave most -- no responsibility for their own actions and scapegoats to blame.

I am also very well versed on cults having nearly half a century of study as a result of growing up in one. Narcissism rules in cults.

[Fiendish Thingy]

15. Only 0.5-1% of the population meet the criteria for NPD

So I’d say it’s pretty clear most of the MAGA cult are not narcissists or sociopaths.

[artemisia1]

17. If you read my opening post you should have noted I wrote "TRAITS". Many have narcissistic and sociopathic

traits and are serious, unprincipled jerks without meeting the FULL criteria for either APD or NPD as outlined n the DSM. Try being around one of these people, or a group infected by them, and you will see quickly that it often does not make a difference in the harm they do when they have TRAITS of either disorder (character flaw) or if they meet ALL the criteria.

Please do some research.

[MadameButterfly]

41. Dr. Bandy Lee speaks of malignant narcissism as being contagious

That is, the people around one take on the traits of the malignant narcissist. When the malignant narcissist is removed, people tend to go back to normal. (Normal not necessarily being nice, but not a personality disorder). That is consistent with what you are describing.

[alfredo]

24. John Dean wrote of conservatives in his book, "Conservatives Without Conscience." It's

Well researched and compelling. He stated his case like a lawyer,

[Grins]

56. Yes. Excellent book.

In just the first pages he describes what Conservatives have become, or have been led to. One of the best parts for me was the 30-years of research by professor Paul Altemeyer on conservatives. That was terrific. And eye-opening.

[BannonsLiver]

14. Obviously you've never heard of Hermann Goring.

[mr715]

60. Goring would HATE that.

[BannonsLiver]

61. ...

[OMGWTF]

52. Maybe the better word is "authoritarian;" people who either like being bossed around or enjoy bossing others around.

[PATRICK]

8. I am going with a general idea

That deep resentment, life harm, of any origin at all, can be directed and targeted- most easily against a "Them" who ironically are not threatening or causative as the authoritative figures plainly responsible. Maybe it is why people eat suicidal amounts of junk, smoke, drink, do dumb things that "we" all do, fall for obvious AI slop, hate "better" people more than well defined evil. Self destruction takes a joyful detour that seems to buy a bit of satisfaction and time against the onslaught of real world consequences. That terrible satisfaction only the resentful can savor and not be branded insane- though they are.

In troubled times, people vote "right wing" and "strong man&quot Check your Bible Christians) so reliably that the ones causing it take it as a preferable strategy. "Kill THEM all and let God sort them out!" Indeed. They stand outside their own fate, like diehard fans of a doomed sports team. Fans can be obnoxious.

[Dave Bowman]

9. I don't know if they are narcissists but they sure are pathetic losers who blame other people for their shitty lives.

[kerry-is-my-prez]

11. They envy liberals - who they think have it "better than them"

[artemisia1]

13. Uh, that is what narcissists do. It is called "scapegoating" and it is classic. /nt

[kerry-is-my-prez]

10. Republicans tend to be into authoritarianism. Also cruelty.

Trump Supporters Report Having Higher Levels of Psychopathy, Manipulativeness, Callousness, and Narcissism

A study found that Trump supporters report enjoying the pain of others, lacking empathy and having higher levels of psychopathy, manipulativeness, callousness, and narcissism.
SARAH JONES
JUL 24, 2025

https://www.thedailypoliticususa.com/p/trump-supporters-report-having-higher?open=false

Trump supporters report enjoying the pain of others, lacking empathy and having higher levels of psychopathy, manipulativeness, callousness, and narcissism, according to a new psychological study based on two large surveys of U.S. adults.
The Journal of Research in Personality reportedthat psychopathic traits and malevolent disposition predicted an increase in conservative political ideology, whereas a benevolent disposition predicted decreased conservative ideology, which is to sway more liberal ideology.
Conservative ideology was represented “by symbolic and operational ideology and positive view of Trump.”
The study found “psychopathic traits and malevolent disposition predicted increased conservative political ideology,” whereas “Benevolent disposition predicted decreased conservative ideology--i.e., more liberal ideology”.

-snip-

[ShazzieB]

20. That was a fascinating read!

Everything in that article dovetails with what artemisia1 said in the o.p. I am now convinced!

[Mountain Mule]

36. Very interesting - Thanks for posting this!

[The Wizard]

42. Gratuitous cruelty

is a negative character trait.

[Botany]

16. Trump scratches the racist, sexist, anti intellectual, Christo Fascist, and generationally stupid itches.

So especially the poorer ones who are willing to vote against their own best interests.

If you can convince the lowest white man he’s better than the best colored man, he won’t notice you’re picking his pocket. Hell, give him somebody to look down on, and he’ll empty his pockets for you. - Lyndon Johnson

[summer_in_TX]

49. The men in prison for sexual crimes (rape, sexual abuse) were the most avid Trump supporters

of the inmate population, crowding around the TV when he was on according to Christopher Armitage (The Existentialist Republic) who spent some years as a prison guard after getting out of the military. This was before and during Trump's first term. He deduced they recognized their own proclivities in Trump.

[Alliepoo]

19. I kinda think you're giving them too much credit.

I’d say they lean more toward pig stupid (no offense to pigs) stubborn and full of hate for what they consider different. And that is everything besides white, straight, “Christian” whatever. They certainly are a lost cause, though.

[H2O Man]

21. Recommended.

The majority of today's maga cult have features from Cluster B personality disorders.

[artemisia1]

25. Thanks. Yes, they do "features" and traits even when they don't qualify for a formal diagnosis under the DSM.

[H2O Man]

29. Right.

Quite a few of them that I am familiar with are rather easy to diagnose. Hopefully I shall never encounter the rest. Yet Cluster B offers a full buffet of features that respond to the rantings of the convicted sex offender/felon in the White House.

[Blumancru]

51. Looks more like a Cluster F personality disorder to me.

[orangecrush]

22. As wild as it sounds

I read that the MAGA cult is actually a sexual fetish, heavy overtones of sadism.

[artemisia1]

27. It is no coincidence that Christian Nationalists love spanking and some even believe it should be applied to wives.

There is, imo, an undertone of sexual sadism in this. In a much harsher age, late-1800's to early-1900's, some studies I read years ago said that 80% of corporal punishment was applied to boys. Modern
Christian Fundies love spanking teenage girls and the statistics are not the same as in a century or so ago because there is a sexual sadism, imo, component involved. It is neither "love" nor discipline, it male-fetishing and power-tripping.

[alfredo]

46. In the fifties and early sixties corporal punishment was widespread in my town

I got beat so many times by teachers. I would come home from school covered in bruises. Dad saw them and said I deserved them. The beating weren’t just on the buttocks, back and front on my thighs were also beaten. Sometime a rod was taken to the bottom of my bare feet. I was hung by my thumbs. I knew to hook my thumb over my index fingers when being hung. I was beaten lightly on my thighs until I could not stand. Some of the teachers were former POWs and applied their captors’ methods on us. I was part of those singled out for harsh punishment. We were all from poor families from a harsh Christian community in Kentucky.

[rustbeltvoice]

23. Basket of deplorables

Hillary Rodham Clinton was absolutely correct on so many things.

[popsdenver]

26. YOU ARE RIGHT ON..........

They are a cult at this point.......Brainwashed (Literally) By only listening to Fox news, and right wing radio and grew up warped by Rush Limbaugh.

But the Republicans have intentionally, over the past 25 years, solicited large groups......Evangelical Christians, the un-educated, but mostly Racists of every different group, but especially Blacks and Mexicans. AND don't leave out their Sexism of ALL women.

[Johnny2X2X]

30. So I know some sane MAGA

Last edited Tue Apr 7, 2026, 02:57 PM - Edit history (1)

They hate the way Trump acts and how cruel he is to everyone, but they just buy the idea he's getting "so much done." They just excuse the way he acts as immature and say don't take everything he says seriously.

Here's a warning though, the Republicans who have turned against him will still vote GOP in 2026 and 2028 because the media will convince them because the Democrat wants rights for LGTBQ folk that they will force their children to have sex changes.

[blue_jay]

57. I know one too and you're right

the "PGBTQ" thing is a big trigger.

[Johnny2X2X]

58. Typo

These people have been completely triggered by Trans rights. They will pretend they don't really care, but when it's brought up it instantly becomes their only issue.

They are convinced some kid somewhere playing in sports is a threat to the existence of the universe.

[Cosmocat]

64. Correct

Their touchstone is the evil liberal boogyman.

They centered their existence on that long before DT coopted the hate cult.

It might be rudderless firca while, but once someone starts to get traction like DT did they will get on his train the way they did because whoever the D potus candidate is, and there literally one one they would accept, will be "they had to pick the only person who is worse than Biden or Kamala.

[Johnny2X2X]

65. Exactly this

"they had to pick the only person who is worse than Biden or Kamala."

No matter who the Dems select, that will be the moderate Republicans' responses. Because they will be manipulated by the media into thinking Gavin Newsom or any other moderate the Dems put forth is some woke extremist.

[BaronChocula]

31. I totally feel your "ON EDIT"

Some things get read so narrowly here at times.

And you're 100% on target.

[bluestarone]

35. Another thread i will REC a BILLION times!!

Right on the money!!

[artemisia1]

59. Thanks!

[agingdem]

38. In other words

Trump and his hardcore supporters are united in their hate for "the other" and their visceral need to inflict pain on their perceived enemies...yes, that is sociopathic/psychotic but not really a surprise considering Trump appeals to the most emotionally corrupt among us..

[LiberalLovinLug]

39. Don't forget the influencers and media personalities that are paid handsomely to stoke it further

[The Wizard]

40. Cognitive dissonance and thought disorders are

covered by Obamacare. Help is there if they want it.

[yellow dahlia]

48. I was thinking about cognitive dissonance as part of the variables.

The RW media provides the affirmation they seek.

[Joinfortmill]

43. Amen. (I'm saying that a lot lately.)

[LymphocyteLover]

44. I was thinking the same thing yesterday

[enigmania]

45. Right on!

[AverageOldGuy]

47. I just call them . . .

. . . Knuckle-dragging, mouth-breathing assholes with shit for brains.

[Scrivener7]

50. Definitely!

Also: "for the pedantic"

[Bondor]

53. Perhaps, but...

While I share your offense and disgust with the folks who enable brutality and ongoing deceit and corruption, I keep remembering the impact of our fragmented media ecosystem -- those who watch fox news and similar sources experience a wholly different "reality" that justifies this horrible behavior. If we do not find a way to reestablish and enforce a single objective criterion for truth we will continue to face segments of the population who are manipulated and lied to so they support bad stuff.

[Bondor]

54. OTOH

The Jones article in the daily, reporting higher levels of dark triad traits among conservatives, is compelling.

[Nevilledog]

55. Trump supporters report higher levels of psychopathy, manipulativeness, callousness, and narcissism

https://www.psypost.org/trump-supporters-report-higher-levels-of-psychopathy-manipulativeness-callousness-and-narcissism/

[GoodRaisin]

62. I see the remainder of his hardest core followers in 3 groupings

1. The greedy rich who don’t care about anything but their tax breaks.

2. Fanatical Christians anxiously waiting in their flying shoes to rapture away.

3. Old white racists who will support Krasnov come hell or high water, or until he steals their social security.

[tavernier]

63. I agree

But will add #4 - Die hard republicans whose only reason for living is to own the damn liberals.