The Study That Matches What Many Have Observed for Years
A recent Journal of Research in Personality study, led by psychologist Craig Neumann at the University of North Texas, analyzed data from over 9,000 U.S. adults before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The researchers found a consistent pattern: Trump supporters were more likely to score higher on measures of malevolent traits, narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy, a combination known as a “malevolent disposition.”
These traits don’t mean someone is incapable of understanding another’s feelings. In fact, cognitive empathy, the ability to recognize emotions, was intact. The difference was affective empathy: the emotional concern for others. Many of these individuals not only lacked concern but reported taking pleasure in others’ suffering.
The Flip Side: Benevolence and Rejection of Cruelty
On the other end of the spectrum, people who scored higher in benevolent traits, compassion, humanism, belief in the basic goodness of others, largely rejected Trump and leaned liberal. This pattern appeared across gender and racial lines, though with some differences:
- White men with higher psychopathic traits were more likely to support Trump.
- Among minority men, psychopathy didn’t predict political preference, possibly due to different lived experiences with power and marginalization.
- Women, across groups, tended to score higher in benevolence.
Even after controlling for income, education, age, and minority status, the results held. This suggests the connection is not just about policy preference. It’s about personality.
Why This Matters: Beyond Politics into Human Nature
This research didn’t claim Trump causes malevolent traits. These patterns typically develop earlier in life, often as maladaptive coping mechanisms in childhood. What’s striking is that political leaders can act as amplifiers for certain traits. Trump’s style, dominance, certainty, hierarchy, and aggression, appears to resonate with those already predisposed toward cruelty over compassion.
That explains why many Trump supporters don’t flinch at his constant lies, public insults, or disregard for norms. People with healthy boundaries and empathy generally find such behavior intolerable. Those high in malevolent traits see it as strength, even entertainment.
Recognizing Malevolent Traits Before They Harm You
You don’t need to be a psychologist to spot red flags. These behaviors are often proudly displayed in memes, social media posts, and casual conversation. If someone enjoys seeing others suffer, contradicts their own stated values, or rationalizes cruelty as “toughness,” you’re looking at possible signs of malevolence.
Here are patterns worth noting in any context; political, personal, or professional:
- Indifference to Harm: They understand others’ pain but feel no obligation to reduce it and may joke about it.
- Moral Inconsistency: They claim to care about certain vulnerable groups but excuse or enjoy harm toward others.
- Provocation as Sport: They make comments meant to irritate or hurt, then mock you for reacting.
- Pride in Cruelty: They brag about being “toxic” or share content celebrating domination over others.
How They Tell You Who They Are… And Hope You Don’t Notice
🚩 Red Flags: Harm Disguised as Personality
These often appear as memes, jokes, or “just how I am” statements, but they’re actually social warnings:
- Selective Morality: Claiming to “protect children” while excusing harm like family separation at the border.
- Gaslighting Through Self-Branding: “I was this way when you met/married me” is used to dodge accountability and normalize cruelty.
- Cruelty as Entertainment: Sharing or laughing at memes that celebrate others’ pain (“feast on their tears”).
- Value Contradictions: Publicly defending “family values” while supporting actions that destroy families.
- Provocation as Sport: Saying hurtful things, then mocking you for reacting (“too sensitive”).
🌱 Green Flags: Healthy, Consistent Behavior
People who value kindness don’t have to announce it. Their actions match their words:
- Adjusting behavior when they know it causes harm, even if they “were this way” before.
- Caring about all vulnerable groups, not just those that fit their narrative.
- Standing against harm even when it’s politically inconvenient.
- Apologizing sincerely, without shifting blame or making excuses.
- Treating compassion as strength, not weakness.
Protecting Yourself in a World Where Cruelty Can Be Popular
Political climates can normalize harmful traits if enough people excuse or celebrate them. You can’t control others’ personalities, but you can protect yourself:
- Set and enforce boundaries without apology.
- Limit engagement with people who consistently disrespect your well-being.
- Build a support network that values kindness and accountability.
- Prioritize your mental health. Cruelty is draining, even from a distance.
The Trump era didn’t invent malevolent traits, but it has given them a stage. When cruelty is reframed as strength, it’s easy for people already inclined toward domination to find a political home. Recognizing these traits, whether in politicians, colleagues, or loved ones, is more than a political skill. It’s a survival skill.
In a divided world, knowing the difference between kindness and cruelty may be the most important line you draw.
