Trump supporters will likely 'destabilize US democracy' for foreseeable future: political scientists

Two political scientists project that supporters of former President Donald Trump aren't finished trying to weaken and destabilize American democracy after their failed attempt to overturn the 2020 election.

Writing in the Washington Post, political scientists Christopher Sebastian Parker and Rachel Blum report that a survey of Trump supporters reveals a deep sense of grievance and fear that they are losing what they believe is exclusively "their" country.

Specifically, the researchers say that Trump supporters are motivated by "status threat," which they define as "the belief that one's way of life or status is undermined by social and cultural change."

They note that this phenomenon has taken the form of multiple destructive political movements in the past, ranging from the Ku Klux Klan to the John Birch Society to the Tea Party.

"MAGA supporters see Trump as their protector, the barrier between themselves and communities of color, feminists, and immigrants from what Trump called 'sh*thole" countries, whom they perceive as threats," they write. "Perhaps this explains why they refuse to accept the election results."

Given how deeply entrenched Trump supporters' feelings are, they conclude, there's little reason to think the MAGA phenomenon will die down anytime soon.

"MAGA supporters' willingness to reject facts that do not reflect well on their leader is likely to continue to destabilize U.S. democracy," they write.