Why People Like Trump

People like Trump not for what he says, but for how he says it. Right, wrong, or indifferent, Trump takes a stand. Trump answers questions with abundant self-confidence. Trump does not back down in the face of political correctness. Trump often flip-flops on issues and yet his poll numbers surge. Why? People are not listening to what he says. They are listening to the way he says it.

Politically Incorrect

Political correctness can stifle free speech but it cannot stop people from thinking forbidden thoughts. People who cannot express their true thoughts and feelings become frustrated. The more the forbidden thoughts back up behind the dam of political correctness, the more the frustration builds.

Trump serves as society’s pressure valve releasing pent-up frustration. Trump says what ordinary people cannot say for fear of losing their jobs, status in their communities, or their reputations. When built-up pressure is finally released, people feel good about themselves.

The Golden Rule of Friendship states, “If you want people to like you, make them feel good about themselves." When Trump speaks, he makes people feel good about themselves and, as a result, people like him.

Straight Answers

Trump answers “Yes” or “No” to yes or no questions. This is rare in the political arena. Conventional politicians equivocate, misdirect answers, provide bits and pieces of the truth, and readily pander to their audiences in an effort to secure endorsements from as many diverse voting blocs as possible. This is not so with Trump. He states his answers at his listeners’ peril.

The following excerpt from a 60 Minutes interview with Scott Pelley demonstrates Trump’s direct style of answering questions.

Scott Pelley: But there is a North American Free Trade Agreement.

Donald Trump: And there shouldn't be. It's a disaster.

Scott Pelley: But it is there.

Donald Trump: OK, yeah, but—

Scott Pelley: If you're president, you're going to have to live with it.

Donald Trump: Excuse me, we will either renegotiate it or we will break it. Because, you know, every agreement has an end.

Scott Pelley: You can't just break the law.

Donald Trump: Excuse me, every agreement has an end. Every agreement has to be fair. Every agreement has a defraud clause. We're being defrauded by all these countries.

Scott Pelley: It's called free trade—

Donald Trump: No it's not.

Scott Pelley: —and it is a plank—

Donald Trump: It's not the—

Scott Pelley: —of the Republican platform.

Donald Trump: Scott we need fair trade. Not free trade. We need fair trade. It's gotta be fair.

That’s the kind of straight talk that makes people feel good about themselves.

Vicarious Common Ground

Finding common ground quickly promotes likeability. Most people have little in common with Trump but many Americans live vicariously through Trump. Trump’s success, popularity, and self-confidence fill the secret dreams of ordinary people. To reject Trump is to render the aspirations of most Americans meaningless. You might be surprised at how many people say they will not vote for Trump in public but will punch his name when the voting curtain closes.

For more information on how to build, maintain, and repair relationships, refer to The Like Switch: An Ex-FBI Agent’s Guide to Influencing, Attracting, and Winning People Over.