Bulwark Takes The One Trait That Predicts Trump Support (w. Matthew MacWilliams)
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Aug 30, 2025 Matthew MacWilliams, a Fellow at the German Marshall Fund and expert on authoritarianism, joins Sam Stein to explore how authoritarian tendencies predict support for Donald Trump. They delve into the psychological roots of this phenomenon, discussing how fear fuels such dispositions and the pivotal role social media plays in spreading Trump’s message. MacWilliams warns of the dangers of America’s drift towards authoritarianism and emphasizes the urgent need to engage younger voters in democratic principles.
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Authoritarianism As Predictive Trait
- Authoritarianism is a measurable disposition tied to preferring order, authority, and sacrificing liberty for security.
- Matthew McWilliams says this trait gets activated by fear and predicts political attitudes more than demographics alone.
Trump's Rhetoric Activates Authoritarian Dispositions
- McWilliams linked Trump’s rhetoric to an attempt to activate authoritarians by using fear and othering language.
- He argues Trump's early speeches were crafted to reach and galvanize that predisposed audience.
Recognizing The Authoritarian Script
- McWilliams recounts hearing Trump's 2015 announcement and recognizing it as crafted to push authoritarian buttons.
- He describes that speech as tailored to activate authoritarians from its opening lines.
