Built on Hate, Sustained by Fear

How the Trump Presidency Has Weaponized Emotion to Erode Democracy

I had an interesting conversation with an individual who was debating my stance that the current administration’s foundation for their political platform is based on hate and fear.

I’d like to take a moment to clarify and justify my position:

First, this isn’t an opinion. I can point to behavioral patterns and studies that demonstrate observable and trackable behavior that supports this perspective.

In fact, multiple studies and academic analyses have tracked Trump’s escalating use of aggressive, dehumanizing, and violent language over time, especially in public speeches, tweets (now posts), and rally rhetoric.

in 2019, the University of Texas at Austin conducted a longitudinal analysis of Trump’s public rhetoric between 2015 and 2019 and found:

** a clear increase in violent metaphors (e.g., “knock the crap out of them,” “fight like hell,” “enemy of the people”).
** Growing use of pronouns like “us” vs. “them,” intensifying tribal language.
** Increasing reliance on dehumanizing terms for opponents, immigrants, and journalists.

My take: His language increasingly resembles that used in authoritarian regimes and conflict escalation.

In 2020, DFRLab & Atlantic Council tracked his weaponization of language via dehumanization in social media posts and speeches, especially in the lead-up to the 2020 election.

Their Findings:

** Trump’s rhetoric intentionally amplified grievance and danger.
** Frequently used language that mirrored historical precursors to political violence, such as labeling opponents as “traitors,” “invaders,” or “enemies.”

And there are others, but you get the point.

What are the real-world effects of his platform of hate and fear?

1. FBI and DHS reports have linked Trump’s language to rising threats against judges, election officials, and journalists.
2. A 2021 study in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found a statistical correlation between Trump’s tweets and hate crimes against targeted groups, especially immigrants and Muslims.

The current president’s platform is more overtly and consistently driven by hate and fear THAN ANY OTHER IN MODERN U.S. HISTORY.

By way of example:

A. Immigration: Messaging around immigrants often invokes fear: portraying them as criminals, threats to national security, or economic drains.
B. Crime: Crime is often exaggerated, with language suggesting urban areas are lawless or controlled by radical actors.
C. “Othering”: There’s consistent framing of political opponents, media, academics, LGBTQ+ people, or nonwhite citizens as un-American or threats to traditional values.
D. Apocalyptic Framing: Phrases like “our country is being destroyed” or “we won’t have a country left” evoke existential fear.

Friends, these are TEXTBOOK authoritarian rhetorical strategies, and scholars, including those studying fascism or populism, have repeatedly identified them in Trump’s speeches and policies.

And yes, the argument could be made that previous presidents have used hate and fear as a platform. Yet, I would argue that this president is distinctly unique in the saturation and consistency of his fear/hate rhetoric, not only in policy but in daily communications (rallies, Truth Social, interviews). He has “normalized” hateful language and fearful rhetoric.

To be fair, I am not blind to previous presidents’ behaviors:

** Andrew Jackson (1829–1837): Campaign and presidency built on anti-Native American policy, white supremacy, and expansionist nationalism. His Indian Removal Act was explicitly genocidal.
** Woodrow Wilson (1913–1921): Openly racist, re-segregated the federal government, and praised The Birth of a Nation.
**Richard Nixon (1969–1974): His “Southern Strategy” and War on Drugs were calculated to stoke racial fears for political gain.
**George W. Bush (2001–2009): Post-9/11, his administration used fear of terrorism to justify wars, mass surveillance, and torture; however, it was more fear of outsiders than “the enemy within”.

It’s vitally important to see and understand the psychological and behavioral influences of the current administrations’ escalation of the use of hate and fear to control, influence an direct Americans.

Fear and hate aren’t just tools in Trump’s platform; they’re FOUNDATIONAL TO HIS PLATFORM.

His political appeal is built around a sense of aggrieved identity: that “we” (meaning his MAGA base) are being attacked, displaced, or betrayed. Every single situation has:

1. An “us” to protect.
2. A “them” to punish or fear, and
3. A catastrophic future if “they” win.

This emotional structure isn’t unique, but it’s more relentless, all-encompassing, and overt than any other that we’ve seen in modern presidencies.

It’s important to distinguish that even though other presidents used a piece of fear or hate to propel their political interests, they operated from within the system, and, even when fear-mongering, prior administrations STILL reinforced the legitimacy of U.S. institutions (Congress, DOJ, media, elections).

Trump’s platform often casts the system itself as corrupt — which not only rallies hate toward individuals or groups, but toward the very mechanisms of democracy. That amplifies the fear and makes it an existential threat.

So where does that leave us? It leaves us with a choice. Not just at the ballot box, but every day: in our conversations, our communities, and our commitments.

We cannot fight authoritarianism with politeness or passive optimism. We must counter fear with clarity. We must counter hate with meaninful action.

We can only reclaim our democracy by refusing to accept cruelty as normal or propaganda as truth.

If Trump’s platform thrives on division and despair, then ours must be built on solidarity, truth-telling, and courage. We still have tools. We still have each other. But only if we act.

History shows that even the loudest hate can be drowned out by quiet, determined courage. We’ve seen teachers, organizers, judges, even students stand up… not just against policies, but against despair itself.

If this presidency is built on fear, then let our future be built on refusing to be afraid.

Use 5 Calls DAILY to contact your elected representatives. THE POINT IS NOT TO CHANGE THEIR MIND if they are opposed to your viewpoint, it’s to make your voice heard.

Capitalize on the resources via Card Campaign to print and ‘leave behind’ information clarifying the truth and facts to fight disinformation.

Connect with others in your area via Indivisible.

Join with others to protest locally — find events via 50501–50 States, 50 Protests, 1 Day.

RESIST. This is a marathon, not a sprint.

If this presidency is built on fear, then let our future be built on refusing to be afraid.