Why Donald Trump Appeals to White Working-Class Men

Without hope, you’ve got nothing left to do but Trump is a con man, the ultimate con man. But in order to be conned, you have to be in on the con.

Trump's strategy hinges on providing hope, which, as the title suggests, has made him appealing to a significant portion of the white working-class male the following article, we explore the underlying reasons for this appeal.

Understanding the Con Man and His Convoys

Trump's pitch is about selling hope. For white evangelical voters, being a conservative Christian becomes more bearable when paired with the promise of a "God-fearing" leader. Trump, for $59.99, offers a Bible, a vote, and a small part of the con: 'He’ll make America Christian again.'

The North’s Con Game: A Tale of Privilege and Illusion

My upbringing in the North taught me that we're not racist, and from the vantage point of the lily-white neighborhoods, race is not seen. But is this true? In reality, we don't see race because there's nothing to see.

My cousin, who calls himself a progressive, moved to a predominantly white area after graduation and then moved to Boston as soon as it became diverse. But now in Boston, he sells his property and moves to a suburb filled with 'diversity'—carried out by a statistic of Asians.

So, you might ask, what is this con he is in? He needs to believe he's progressive and that he's not the kind of guy who fights a housing project based on race. This is one of the critical elements contributing to his appeal. He clings to an illusion that makes him feel good, and he needs that feeling to carry on.

Dreadful Security and the Appeal of Denial

My cousin's neighbor, a conservative white southerner, lived in a mixed-race neighborhood, a stark contrast to my cousin's all-white bubble. His denial of anything wrong or offensive about his attitude is a form of con too. These neighbors, despite their different backgrounds, are both in on a kind of con, believing in what they need to in order to maintain their hope.

The Future and the Con Man's Promise

My cousin's current lifestyle is secure, with his retirement and his belly guaranteed. However, he doesn't have the hope that his future will be better. He’s disillusioned and doesn't see a need for a conman to tell him that things will get better. But others are in a different situation, like the white fisherman in New Hampshire. His prospects are collapsing as windmills are being considered to harness sea energy, threatening his livelihood.

The Manipulation of Hope and Fear

Donald Trump isn't selling Bibles. He’s selling a vision of a better life, one where your livelihood will be secure and thriving. His rhetoric taps into the fear and struggle of those whose jobs and futures are being jeopardized by technological and environmental changes. Trump, with his promise to 'make America great again,' gives them hope that their chosen profession and their future can be restored.

White workers believe in the con, the promise that someone, anyone, will bring back their jobs and give them a better life. They need to be in on the con, and they believe it will be true.

As Donald Trump continues to appeal to a significant part of the white working-class male demographic, it is crucial to understand the complexities of his promises and the con he and his supporters are playing.