US Politics Extra: Roy Cohn, Donald Trump, Cognitive Dissonance, & Never Being Wrong
Table of Contents 📖
"You can't argue someone out of a position they never argued themselves into."
Hello Team
🎦 00:00-00:16⏩
Jonathan welcomes viewers to an extra video discussing politics, beliefs, psychology, and cognitive dissonance reduction, particularly in relation to Donald Trump and his supporters.
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Cognitive Dissonance Explained
🎦 00:16-07:30⏩
Jonathan provides a detailed explanation of cognitive dissonance, using the example of belief in God and evidence against it. He describes various cognitive dissonance reduction techniques, such as:
- Compartmentalization: Holding conflicting beliefs in separate mental compartments.
- Burying one's head in the sand: Ignoring contrary evidence.
- Poisoning the well/shooting the messenger: Attacking the source of contrary evidence rather than the content.
- Adapting or cherry-picking evidence: Selecting evidence that supports a core belief while ignoring contradictory information.
He emphasizes that people are generally bad at changing their minds and often go to great lengths to maintain their core beliefs.
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Viewer Comment & Jonathan's Response
🎦 07:30-09:14⏩
Jonathan addresses a comment from viewer Andy S, a staunch Trump supporter, who begs him not to do the video. Andy claims Jonathan suffers from "Trump derangement syndrome" and accuses him of skewing reality. Jonathan responds by challenging Andy to point out where he's wrong, highlighting the importance of addressing evidence rather than resorting to ad hominem attacks. He asserts that his views on Trump haven't changed in eight years, and all subsequent evidence has supported his initial assessment of Trump's character.
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Jonathan Reflects on 2016 Election Prediction
🎦 09:14-11:30⏩
Jonathan acknowledges he got his 2016 election prediction wrong, favouring a Kamala Harris win. However, he clarifies that his prediction was based on a spectrum of possibilities, with a slight Trump win being within the realm of possibility. He emphasizes the importance of analyzing incorrect predictions and identifying biases, stressing that his inaccurate prediction didn't alter his overall assessment of Trump.
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Roy Cohn's Influence on Donald Trump
🎦 11:30-27:42⏩
Jonathan delves into the profound influence of Roy Cohn, a lawyer who mentored Trump during his formative years. He cites multiple articles highlighting Cohn's tactics:
- Attack, attack, attack, and deny, deny, deny: Cohn's primary tactic, mirroring Trump's behaviour.
- Never admit wrongdoing, fight to win at all costs: Cohn's philosophy, influencing Trump's aversion to admitting mistakes.
- Media manipulation: Cohn's expertise in manipulating the press, evident in Trump's relationship with the media.
Jonathan draws parallels between Cohn's and Trump's behaviours, particularly their:
- Involvement in a racial discrimination lawsuit related to real estate.
- Refusal to admit wrongdoing.
- Belief that any publicity is good publicity.
Jonathan emphasizes that Cohn instilled in Trump a sense of invincibility and a disregard for rules, shaping Trump's personality and approach to power.
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Roy Cohn's Downfall & Trump's Abandonment
🎦 27:42-34:26⏩
Jonathan recounts Roy Cohn's downfall, highlighting Cohn's hypocrisy: he was gay and promiscuous at a time when AIDS was rampant, yet vehemently denied having AIDS when he contracted it. Jonathan reveals that Trump abandoned Cohn during his illness, demonstrating Trump's tendency to discard allies when they become inconvenient. He cites sources describing Trump's abandonment of Cohn as "dropping him like a hot potato." This incident further underscores Trump's ruthlessness and transactional nature.
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Trump & The 2020 Election Denial
🎦 34:26-42:48⏩
Jonathan links Cohn's influence to Trump's inability to accept the 2020 election loss, emphasizing Trump's deeply ingrained belief in his own perfection and invincibility. He analyzes Trump's statements and actions, suggesting that Trump's perception has become his reality, to the point where he may genuinely believe he won. Jonathan compares Trump's behaviour to his son's refusal to accept defeat in football matches, always blaming external factors rather than taking personal responsibility. He argues that Trump's supporters adopt his rationale and view him as a deified figure who cannot be wrong. This "cult of personality" fosters a dangerous dynamic where criticism of Trump is perceived as an attack on his followers.
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Trump's Potential Shift on Ukraine Aid
🎦 42:48-46:26⏩
Jonathan explores the possibility of Trump changing his stance on Ukraine aid, noting that Trump's recent meetings with Macron and Zelensky might have exposed him to new information and perspectives. However, he expresses concern that Trump's "default setting" and his circle of pro-Russian advisors will ultimately prevent a genuine shift. He anticipates that Trump will likely revert to his previous anti-Ukraine rhetoric, rejecting contrary evidence to maintain his core beliefs. Jonathan discusses the potential reactions of Trump's supporters, particularly Andy S, predicting they will find ways to justify any change in Trump's position, reinforcing the idea that Trump can do no wrong in their eyes. He suggests that the power of Trump's advisors might outweigh the influence of the DOD and intelligence services, citing Trump's previous dismissal of intelligence in favour of Putin's narrative.
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The Importance of Psychology in Politics & Wrap Up
🎦 46:26-48:32⏩
Jonathan concludes by emphasizing the crucial role of psychology in understanding political beliefs. He argues that rational arguments alone are insufficient to explain why people hold certain beliefs, as psychological factors often play a significant role. He reiterates that fervent followers like Andy S are driven by psychological motivations rather than a reasoned assessment of Trump's policies. He concludes that understanding the psychological underpinnings of belief is essential for effectively addressing problematic beliefs. Jonathan thanks viewers for watching and encourages them to consider the interplay of psychology, politics, and philosophy. He reiterates that understanding Roy Cohn is key to understanding Trump and ends with his signature sign-off, urging viewers to like, subscribe, and share.
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