Perceived loss of white Christian status, not economics, drove Trump support

Evidence

More than economic anxieties, it was a threatened loss of status—particularly racial status—that influenced the vote of white evangelicals, and whites more generally. Support for Trump was strongest among those who perceived their status to be most imperiled, those who felt whites were more discriminated against than blacks, Christians than Muslims, and men than women. In short, support for Trump was strongest among white Christian men. The election was not decided by those “left behind” economically, political scientists discovered; it was decided by dominant groups anxious about their future status. — Kristin Kobes Du Mez, Jesus and John Wayne, 603

Categorization

• XREF: Reinforces the militant-masculinity-through-status framework from earlier chapters: racial/religious/gender status fears are the causal engine, not economics. — connects to: Perceived racial demographic shift raises White group status threat that drives Trump support. — Brenda Major and Alison Blodorn and Gregory Major Blascovich, The threat of increasing diversity: Why…, 5; Racial-shift reminders shift highly identified Whites toward Trump and against Sanders via status threat. — Brenda Major and Alison Blodorn and Gregory Major Blascovich, The threat of increasing diversity: Why…, 53; Trump’s conduct consecrates the white male supremacy entrenched in traditional values — Wendy Brown, In the Ruins of Neoliberalism: The Rise…, 293 (+5 more)