How to Build an Exit Ramp for Trump Supporters

[ZombieHorde]

https://hbr.org/2016/10/how-to-build-an-exit-ramp-for-trump-supporters

Though I don't agree with all of the philosophy in the article, I very much appreciate the tactics Malhotra suggests when trying to change the mind of a Trump supporter. I hope some of you find this helpful when discussing politics with someone you care about.

By Deepak Malhotra
OCTOBER 14, 2016

~snip introduction, though worth reading, in my opinion~

1. Don’t force them to defend their beliefs. Whether you’re having drinks at a bar or scrolling through your Facebook feed, when you come across someone whose views you find abhorrent or absurd, it’s tempting to engage them in a debate. After all, it seems like a reasonable way to get someone to change their mind. The problem is, when you tell people they are wrong, stupid, immoral or irrational, they simply dig in and get more entrenched in their views. This is because no matter how confident you are that they are misguided, they will always be able to find at least one line of defense. All they need is one reason that you might be wrong, one weakness in your argument, or one factor that supports their position—and then they can claim it is the most important factor in the entire debate. When your “discussion” is over, they are more firmly committed to their position than they were before.

2. Provide information, and then give them time. When dealing with someone who passionately disagrees with you, a more effective approach than debating is to provide information without demanding anything in return. You might say (or post on Facebook) something along the lines of: “That’s interesting. Here’s some information I came across. You might find it useful given your interest in this topic.” Or, “when you get a chance, I’d appreciate you taking a look at this.” You’ve done about as much as you can for now. If they can consider what you’ve said without carrying the additional burden of having to agree with you, it is more likely it sinks in a little bit. This is why, over weeks and months, polls do change. Trump has lost ground as additional information about his behavior and temperament and weak grasp of issues has come to light. But the change doesn’t tend to happen during a heated argument. It doesn’t happen immediately.
3. Don’t fight bias with bias. If you do end up debating an issue, protect your legitimacy at all cost. If they are making a completely one-sided argument with selective (or misleading) evidence, don’t retaliate with a similarly biased or flawed argument to defend yourself. If there is some merit to their argument, acknowledge it. If you fight fire with fire, it will cost you the one thing you can’t afford to lose if you want to one day change their mind: their belief about your integrity. They will not acknowledge or thank you for your even-handedness at the time they’re arguing with you, but they will remember and appreciate it later, behind closed doors. And that’s where change happens.

4. Don’t force them to choose between their idea and yours. “Clinton is better than Trump” is not an argument that is going to win the day with someone who has been a long-time supporter of Trump, or someone who has learned to hate Clinton. Once disillusioned, as a number of Trump supporters are becoming, they are much more likely to vote for a third party, or not vote at all, than to completely switch their allegiance and vote for Clinton. More generally, you will be much more effective if you encourage people to reconsider their perspective without saying that this requires them to adopt yours.

~snip tactics 5-7, and brief conclusion~

https://hbr.org/2016/10/how-to-build-an-exit-ramp-for-trump-supporters

[Cracklin Charlie]

1. Very well done.

This tactic worked on my husband, a former republican.

I would add that I like to ask people what is it that they want to have their tax dollars spent on. This question helps to show immediate similarity between people.

[tech3149]

4. More frightening than tRump

After the election those who voted for him will still be a part of out community. I'm sure they aren't all racist, bigoted uneducated fools. I know too many who are reasonably intelligent with a high level of education, and are generally nice people. I'm not willing to throw out the baby with the bathwater. These are people we have to live with and I'd like to consider them friends or at least not enemies.
The OP offers some great suggestions for bridging the gap and I'm sure there are many other techniques that can be effective. The big problem is that most people in this country don't realize the level of propaganda and perception management they are exposed to every day. It's pervasive not just in news but entertainment and advertising. It is so geared toward the subconscious that you could spend weeks just to get them to recognize the influence.

[Cracklin Charlie]

6. Did you watch real time last night?

I agree with former Sen. Kerry...they are not bad people, for the most part. Some are mis-informed, some are afraid, some are uninterested; but, I think in a lot of cases people are just too busy to pay close attention. Governance is complicated business.

Those folks, I think, are highly susceptible to accepting spoon-fed, knee-jerk information that many times does nothing to advance their understanding.

We can change that. And I believe contentious election years like this are a really good time to try, because lots of people are paying attention on both sides.

[MyNameGoesHere]

2. These people have had an exit ramp for decades

it's called becoming a human being. They have refused to take that ramp and are on the verge of becoming fodder when they launch their half assed "coup". Going to be a lot of prying from cold dead hands if that is the exit ramp they seem to be choosing to take.

[prarie deem]

3. This is something that has been on my mind

for the last day or so. I am struggling with myself because I have realized I really am a snob. I have never thought that I could be. I despise stereotypes. I don't think all people who are economically disadvantaged are system users or lazy or stupid. I don't think all rich people are selfish jerks with no social conscience. I don't believe characteristics apply to any group of people and they cannot be categorized or assigned feelings or motives or actions as a whole.

But this election has provided an atmosphere where I have come to view all Trump supporters as either stupid or opportunistic. They are certainly misguided. I find myself despising their ignorance and lack of morality in supporting this man. I don't like that but honest to God, I do not know how to get around this mindset. I truly don't. I am so incensed at the attitudes toward minorities and women and our country. I am so appalled at their actions which I view as the antithesis of what our country should be, that I find I won't give them the benefit of the doubt.

And I know in my rational mind, that there must be intelligent, compassionate people that are voting for him, but I cannot imagine why. And worse, I act on it. I went to a high school in a very blue collar area and many of my classmates are Trump supporters and are vocal about it on Facebook. And when I am aggravated and have had enough, I will skewer them verbally. Nothing I say is untrue - they are stupid and misinformed -and they can seldom rebut the facts I present them with - as a matter of fact they will seldom even respond because I make them look foolish and stupid. But this is not who I thought I was as a person and it is deeply unkind. I don't want to turn into what I despise.

I swore that after GW lied us into that war, I would never be nice to keep peace again politically. I vowed I would vocally oppose the conservative position that has killed thousands of young men and women. I think it is important to oppose what you think is wrong politically and not let lies and half truths go unchallenged. But I don't like who I have become. Does anyone else struggle with this?

[tech3149]

5. Why are those intelligent people voting for him?

They are afraid and rightfully so. The next financial crash WILL be worse, poking the Russian bear could be catastrophic, the rest of the world is tired of "American exceptionalism" exploiting the rest of the world to assure that we are the only superpower in the world.
tRump is playing on the fears of those who have been getting screwed worse every year. Even the smartest doctor can't cure an illness if they can't diagnose the cause.

[okaawhatever]

7. Yes. I don't verbalize my disgust, but I do think it. I was told a long time ago that if I didn't

like a person I should get to know them better. With few exceptions it has helped me understand a person which usually removes the dislike.

I'll try to write more later when I have time, but in general a good chunk of Trump supporters are both afraid and misinformed. Another thing about them and others who I disagree with politically is this: They believe, usually quite sincerely, that what they are supporting is the best thing for our country. They are not trying to hurt me, or tear down this country. (Yes, Trump also has a chunk of supporters who are trying to do both, but we'll never change their mind). I try to remember that when dealing with them.

[LeftRant]

8. That has to be a 2-way street. We'll see how understanding they are after the election.

[geek tragedy]

9. Trump supporters are a damn cult, they have zero sense

of civic morality or logic.

Best to ignore and shun

[jacksonian]

10. when we're talking about a quarter or a third of the country

shun and ignore might make an attractive personal creed but is collectively really terrible politics.

[geek tragedy]

11. 1/3 is a lot less than half.

Much better use of time to encourage turnout amongst people on our side than to try to convince the white nationalist crowd to see the error of their ways.