The resonance of Donald Trump’s “US being ripped off” message, despite expert analysis on its factual basis, can be explained by a combination of rhetorical strategy and the underlying economic and psychological conditions of certain American voters.
1. The Power of Populist Rhetoric and Emotional Appeals
- Crisis Narrative and Scapegoating: Trump’s rhetoric constructs a “Crisis America,” which is in a state of loss and decline.1 He then clearly identifies the culprits: foreign countries that are “ripping off” the U.S. and the domestic “corrupt elites” or “establishment” who allowed it to happen.2 This black-and-white, us-vs-them framing simplifies complex issues and provides a clear, external target for voter frustrations.3
- Emotional Resonance and Insecurity: His message appeals directly to a sense of voter insecurity and an “aggrieved entitlement”—a feeling that benefits they believe they were entitled to have been “snatched away” by unseen, powerful forces.4 The language evokes dominance, national pride, and a promise of restoring past “greatness” (Make America Great Again / America First), deeply resonating with voters’ “emotional self-interest.”5
- Simple, Repetitive Language: Trump uses clear, simple, and often inflammatory language that is easy to understand and remember.6 This amplifies his message to broad audiences and positions him as a strong, uncompromising figure who is not beholden to “political correctness.”7
2. Addressing Real Economic and Social Grievances
While the claim of the U.S. being “ripped off” may be a rhetorical exaggeration of trade deficits and foreign policy, it connects to tangible issues that many Americans have experienced:
- The “Left Behind” Thesis: Support for Trump’s economic nationalism is often rooted in communities that feel neglected by the development of society and political decision-makers.8 This includes former manufacturing cities that have experienced deindustrialization and job losses, which many voters directly attribute to global trade agreements and the shift of manufacturing overseas.
- Economic Pessimism: Surveys have indicated that Trump’s supporters tend to be pessimistic about their personal finances and the direction of the economy, and they are distinctively unenthusiastic about free trade agreements, with a majority believing such agreements decrease the number of jobs for American workers.9 The “ripped off” narrative offers a straightforward explanation and a promise to restore lost jobs and prosperity.
- Rejection of the “Establishment”: The feeling of being “ripped off” is not just projected onto foreign nations, but also onto the American political and financial elites who supporters believe allowed it to happen. Trump’s “political outsider” persona and anti-establishment message—his famous line “Politicians, they’re all talk and no action”—resonates with the belief that traditional leaders failed to protect American workers.10
In summary, the message is successful not because of its factual accuracy, but because it brilliantly converts complex, long-term socio-economic anxieties (like job loss, wage stagnation, and national decline) into a simple, emotional narrative with clear villains (corrupt elites and foreign cheats) and a powerful, charismatic hero (Trump) who promises to fix it with an “America First” approach.