Why Are Trump Supporters So Incredibly Loyal?

Donald Trump lies, breaks his campaign promises and has plunged the U.S. into a war in the Middle East - yet his supporters remain true. Two social scientists explain the phenomenon behind it.

A Trump fan with a MAGA tattoo: “They just said: ‘That’s not true, it’s all lies.’” (Photo: Mike Blake / REUTERS)

Interview Conducted by Claus Hecking in Boston

DER SPIEGEL: Ms. Harmon-Jones, Mr. Harmon-Jones, Donald Trump has gone from being a self-declared peacemaker to a president who doesn’t shy away from deploying the U.S. military on operations and starting wars. He also promised to cut energy prices in half and to lower the cost of living – and has thus far done the opposite. Nevertheless, around 40 percent of Americans still stand behind him. Why are Trump’s supporters so loyal?