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Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal – Vol. 10, No. 12
Publication Date: December 25, 2023
DOI:10.14738/assrj.1012.16101
Levenson, H. R. (2023). Psychological Projection: Trump and Santos (Birds of a Feather Flock Together, What Every U.S. Voter
Should Know). Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 10(12). 357-369.
Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom
Psychological Projection: Trump and Santos (Birds of a Feather
Flock Together, What Every U.S. Voter Should Know)
Harvey R. Levenson, Ph. D.
Professor Emeritus, Cal Poly
San Luis Obispo, California USA
ABSTRACT
There has been a tremendous amount of media coverage regarding former
President Donald Trump, and his rhetoric concerning a second run at winning the
White House. There has been much speculation about his motives and appeals to
his base. Trump’s rhetoric has become the focus of study amongst scholars in the
areas of communication, political science, psychology, sociology, and even
psychiatry. For example, there has been a lot of speculation that his motivation has
been triggered by anger, retribution, and his own perception that he is right and
all those judging him, including the courts, are wrong. When this research was
started, there was no consideration given to including an assessment of the
character of former Representative George Santos (R. NY), and his similarities to
Trump in thinking and behavior. However, as the Santos case unfolded, and his
allegiance to Trump, there appeared similarities that could help explain the
behaviors of others supporting Trump and the MAGA movement, and what might
be lying ahead if the United States supports a second Trump presidency. There is
one explanation occasionally covered by the media, but not in the detail that
Trump’s base and the general public would understand. The explanation is the
psychological phenomenon known as “projection.” This paper attempts to explain
this phenomenon in a way that would be understood by the average voter to help
decide if “projection” should be considered in selecting Trump as the Republican
Party 2024 presidential choice in the primaries and in the general election. This
paper explains the phenomenon of projection and how it is practiced specifically
by Trump and Santos, and offers a few solutions for addressing and correcting this
psychological ailment.
INTRODUCTION
In June 2021, my paper, “A Treatise on the Trump Presidency: Presidential Rhetoric-Words
Matter,” appeared in the International Journal of Linguistics and Communication. (1) The
purpose of the paper was to examine former President Donald Trump’s communication style;
written and speech, lack of critical thinking skills, response to COVID-19, ego and value issues,
other shortcomings, and what is needed to be an effective President of the United States. Little
did I know at the time that the saga of Trump would escalate to what it became in 2023.
Hence, I decided to write this present paper that may help to explain the phenomenon of
“Trumpism” as a psychological condition, “projection,” of Trump and supporters using former
Representative George Santos as an example.
Harvey R. Levenson, Ph. D.
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Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal (ASSRJ) Vol. 10, Issue 12, December-2023
Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom
PROJECTION DEFINED
The American Psychological Association Definition of Projection
In psychoanalytic and psychodynamic theories, the process by which one attributes one's own
individual positive or negative characteristics, affects, and impulses to another person or
group.
A defense mechanism by which an individual unconsciously attributes their behaviors,
emotions, impulses, undesirable characteristics, and thoughts to others...Projection is a
coping strategy that people engage in when experiencing intense and complex emotions.
When we project our feelings onto others, it can keep us from experiencing uncomfortable
emotions such as fear, guilt, or shame, and be an unconscious effort to preserve our self- esteem...Simply, what this means is “projecting” what we think about ourselves onto others.
(2)
RESEARCH METHODS
Historical and Descriptive Research are the methods used in this study. They are used to
determine results and to draw conclusions based on historical accounts and descriptions of
the “here-and-now.” (3) In this case, the focus is entirely on the psychological phenomenon of
“projection” as a tool, though sometimes unconsciously used, to gain political advantages
when running for office.
Historical
Historical Research establishes facts and arrives at conclusions concerning past events by
locating, evaluating, and interpreting evidence concerning events and behaviors. (4) A
literature review and an assessment of political speeches were used to develop results. The
method uses past experiences to garner a greater understanding of present situations and
what might occur in the future when a candidate’s “projection” is viewed as truth by voters.
There are five reasons for conducting historical research:
1. To uncover historical events that had not been previously recorded.
2. To answer questions about the past that may have not been previously asked.
3. To identify the relationship that past events and behaviors has to the present.
4. To record and evaluate accomplishments of individuals, agencies, or institutions.
5. To assist in understanding the culture in which we live.
Further, Historical Research has a specific method. There is no one approach used in
conducting historical research, although a general set is typically followed. These include the
following, although some overlap and movement occur between steps. (5)
1. Identification of the research topic and formation of the problem or question
2. Data collection or literature review
3. Evaluation of material studied
4. Data analysis and synthesis
5. Report preparation, or preparation of the narrative exposition
Specifically, the history explored in this paper focuses on the politics of former President
Trump, and that of former representative Santos. The situations reviewed relates to
misconduct, illegalities, and other alleged law-breaking activities, that have resulted in
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Levenson, H. R. (2023). Psychological Projection: Trump and Santos (Birds of a Feather Flock Together, What Every U.S. Voter Should Know).
Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 10(12). 357-369.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/assrj.1012.16101
lawsuits, and indictments of these two individuals, and how the practice of psychological
projection helps to explain the behaviors of these former public officials. The political rhetoric
studied was previously reported to the public in various media, including television, radio,
social media, newspapers, magazines, and others.
Descriptive
Descriptive Research determines the nature of situations as they exist at the time of the study.
(6) The aim is to describe, “what exists” with respect to variables or conditions in a situation.
Additionally, Descriptive Research aims to accurately and systematically describe a
population, situation, or phenomenon. It can answer what, where, when, and how questions,
but not why questions because the responses to why questions cannot be verified. A
descriptive research design can use a wide variety of research methods to investigate one or
more variables. Unlike in experimental research, the researcher does not control or
manipulate any of the variables, but only observes, measures, or describes them. (7)
In sum, Descriptive Research is an appropriate choice when the research aim is to identify
characteristics, frequencies, trends, and categories. Descriptive studies are often a first area of
inquiry. A fundamental element of descriptive reporting is a clear, specific, and measurable
definition of a situation in question. (8) For example, this study took place in the midst of
Trump’s campaigning to become the Republican candidate for the 2024 presidential election.
It explores his rhetoric in explaining his legal difficulties at the time of this study to be
examples of psychological projection. Hence, this study’s results describes Trumps practice of
projection and its use to gain advantage in a political campaign, and to persuade voters to side
with Trump’s version of the truth, regardless of a myriad of evidence to the contrary.
An added aspect to this study is the rhetoric of former House of Representatives George
Santos’ response to and explanation of his being removed from Congress by a 2/3 vote of his
House colleagues. What came to light is the similarity of the two individual’s personalities and
the rhetoric used by Trump and Santos, further pointing to the projection phenomenon being
applied to a personality type.
Projection as a Characteristic of Narcissist Behavior
The behavior of Trump and Santos fits the definition of narcissism. Merriam-Webster defines
narcissism as being “extremely self-centered with an exaggerated sense of self- importance marked by or characteristic of excessive admiration of or infatuation with
oneself.” (9) In response to “How a Narcissist Conducts Psychological Warfare,” by Erin
Leonard, Ph. D., Dr. Marilyn Wedge addresses in Psychology Today “Projective Identification
and Narcissism” and explores if projective identification is always insidious. The literature is
consistent in suggesting that narcissism is a characteristic of projection. Wedge notes, “The
view that projective identification is one of the cruel weapons—albeit
an unconscious weapon—in the toolbox of a narcissist is a creative and intriguing notion.”
(10)
RESULTS
Projection as Applied to Trump
I’ve long suspected that projection is a Trump tactic, as I suspect do most of people that
Trump attacks verbally by mocking and insulting them. Most of those people are astute