Duncan Favorite TV Shows Trump Supporters

Academic Rigor, Journalistic Flair

  • Speaker: Aaron Duncan, Assistant Professor of Communication Studies, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

  • Source: The Conversation article titled "What the favorite TV shows of Trump supporters can tell us about his appeal"

  • Published Date: August 3, 2016

Introduction to the Appeal of Trump Supporters

  • New data indicates that supporters of Donald Trump:

    • Prefer to receive news from television.

    • Show a strong preference for crime dramas.

  • Initial judgment: This might seem insignificant, but it provides insight into Trump's rise as a candidate.

  • Trump's Rhetoric:

    • Claims that illegal immigration threatens public safety, warning if unaddressed, "we’re not going to have a country anymore – there will be nothing left."

    • This rhetoric is coupled with a media environment that promotes the perception of the world as violent.

Mean World Syndrome

  • Definition: Term coined by George Gerbner to describe the phenomenon where heavy viewership of violent television fosters a distorted view of reality where the world is seen as dangerous.

  • Key Studies:

    • Conducted by George Gerbner in the 1970s focusing on violence in television.

    • His findings:

    • Significant exposure to violent content led viewers to overestimate the prevalence of crime and violence.

    • Viewers began to see the world through a lens of fear, leading to an inclination towards authoritarianism and security measures.

  • Quote: Scott Stossel summarized Gerbner's findings:

    • “We become fearful and anxious – and more willing to depend on authorities, strong measures, gated communities, and other proto-police-state accouterments.”

  • Important Clarification:

    • Watching violent television does not cause violent behavior, akin to how exposure to sexual content does not result in increased sexual activity.

    • However, it induces fear leading to a search for security through authoritative figures.

Television Viewing Habits of Trump Supporters

  • Data Source: Provided by Tivo listing favorite shows among Trump and Hillary Clinton supporters.

  • Top Shows for Trump Supporters: All five shows center around crime:

    • "The Mysteries of Laura"

    • "NCIS"

    • "NCIS: New Orleans"

    • "Limitless"

    • "Rosewood"

  • Top Shows for Clinton Supporters:

    • Only one focused on crime: "The Mysteries of Laura"

    • Others:

    • "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend"

    • "The Good Wife"

    • "Madame Secretary"

    • "Telenovela"

  • Demographic Insights:

    • Approximately 60% of Trump supporters prefer television for news over online or print mediums.

    • Comparison:

    • 55% of Democrats

    • 73% of Bernie Sanders supporters prefer online/newspaper reading about political candidates.

Fear-Based Appeals in Television News

  • Research indicates that television news leverages fear to capture and maintain viewer attention.

  • Direct effects on audience:

    • Increased fear of crime.

    • Greater support for capital punishment and gun ownership.

Societal Implications of Trump’s Rhetoric

  • Alignment with crime dramas and fear-based narratives amplifies Trump's appeal among his supporters.

  • Trump’s Position on Crime:

    • Advocated for strong measures against crime and presented a fearful outlook, suggesting that the world is descending into chaos.

    • Statements during the Republican National Convention emphasized threats from terrorism and attacks on police, framing it as a risk to American life.

  • Contradiction of Claims:

    • FBI reports indicate a steady decline in violent crime over the past two decades, contradicting Trump's rhetoric about increasing danger.

  • Historical Context:

    • Trump’s campaign began with claims that undocumented immigrants, particularly from Mexico, brought crime and danger, statements lacking factual backing.

    • Newt Gingrich's defense of these claims emphasized public perception over statistical reality:

    • “The average American, I will bet you this morning, does not think crime is down, does not think they are safer.”

  • Conclusion on Media Influence:

    • Crime shows and news promote the fears articulated by Trump and Gingrich.

    • If these fears remain unaddressed, they could bolster Trump's electoral success.