http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/donald-trump-rally-milw-s5.jpgDeep-seated differences in worldview are part of why America is so divided, and Donald Trump tapped into these divisions in a way that made them even more extreme.

LAKE GENEVA, WI - The United States is more politically divided than ever, and Donald Trump’s presidency has played a significant role in deepening this rift. But it’s important to remember that this division has roots that go far beyond Trump himself. It’s not just that conservatives and liberals have different opinions on policies—it’s that they perceive the world fundamentally differently. These psychological and personality differences are at the heart of why our country feels so divided, and Trump’s leadership capitalized on and amplified those divisions.

Psychological studies have shown that liberals and conservatives aren’t just disagreeing about political issues; they process the world differently. For example, a study led by psychologist Michael Dodd and political scientist John Hibbing of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln found that conservatives’ eyes linger longer on repellent images like car wrecks or excrement, which suggests that conservatives may be more sensitive to potential threats. This heightened sensitivity might explain why many conservative policies focus on security, law and order, and a cautious approach to change. Conservatives tend to prioritize stability and protecting against perceived dangers, whether that’s through strong borders, a powerful military, or individual gun rights.

On the other hand, liberals tend to be more focused on ideals of fairness, equality, and openness to new ideas. They are more likely to see the world as a place that can and should be improved through social reform, government intervention, and regulation. This explains why liberals tend to advocate for progressive policies around healthcare, climate change, and gun control—areas where they see potential to create a more just and equitable society. In their view, government should play a strong role in addressing inequality and ensuring that all citizens have access to the same opportunities.

These deep-seated differences in worldview are part of why America is so divided, and Donald Trump tapped into these divisions in a way that made them even more extreme. His rhetoric was intentionally divisive, presenting the world in stark, black-and-white terms. He framed himself as the defender of conservative values, often painting liberals as dangerous enemies of the country. Trump’s language reflected the conservative focus on threat and danger—he spoke about immigrants as criminals, portrayed the media as the "enemy of the people," and called Democratic leaders unpatriotic or even traitorous. To his supporters, Trump’s strong stance on issues like immigration, gun rights, and national security made him a protector of their values, someone who was willing to stand up to the perceived threats they saw in the world.

For liberals, though, Trump represented everything they feared about authoritarianism and the erosion of democratic norms. His refusal to follow established political protocols, his attacks on the judiciary and the free press, and his reluctance to disavow white supremacists and conspiracy theories fed into their view that he was a direct threat to democracy and equality. To them, Trump wasn’t just another conservative president—he was a dangerous force who was undermining the very foundations of the country.

This mutual distrust has only grown. Trump’s presidency amplified the existing psychological and political divides by pitting the two sides against each other in a battle that felt existential. His rhetoric fostered an environment where compromise became almost impossible because both sides saw the other as a threat to their way of life. The growing polarization in media consumption added fuel to the fire, with conservatives tuning into Fox News or talk radio and liberals gravitating toward MSNBC or CNN. Each side was trapped in an echo chamber, with little exposure to opposing viewpoints.

One of the clearest examples of how Trump’s presidency deepened these divisions was his handling of the 2020 election. From the moment the votes were being counted, Trump falsely claimed widespread voter fraud, refusing to accept the results. His repeated claims that the election was “stolen” culminated in the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, when his supporters, believing they were defending democracy, stormed the building in an effort to overturn the results. For Trump’s supporters, this was a fight for their country. For his critics, it was an attack on the very principles of democracy.

In the end, the divide isn’t just about Trump or the policies he promoted—it’s about the fundamental differences in how conservatives and liberals see the world. Trump’s presidency highlighted and exploited these differences, turning political disagreements into a cultural war. The fear, mistrust, and anger that grew during his tenure has left the country more polarized than ever, with little room for the kind of compromise and understanding needed to heal the divisions. As the study by Dodd and Hibbing suggests, conservatives and liberals are wired differently, and until there’s a greater understanding of those differences, it will be hard to bridge the gap Trump helped widen.