Economic Crisis May Boost Trump's Appeal with Some Voters

Study suggests economic insecurity can make authoritarians more compelling to voters.

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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A new study from Northwestern University's Center for Communication & Public Policy suggests that economic hardship and insecurity may actually increase support for authoritarian leaders like former President Donald Trump, even as the economy worsens under his policies. The study found that when people feel financially stressed, they become more open to authoritarian tendencies like a biased press, weakened checks on executive power, and attacks on the rule of law - regardless of their political ideology.

Why it matters

This finding challenges the conventional wisdom that poor economic performance always hurts incumbent politicians and their party. It suggests that in times of economic crisis, some voters may be drawn to authoritarian figures who promise to restore stability, even if their policies exacerbate the underlying problems.

The details

The study, published in the journal Perspectives on Politics, analyzed data on how economic conditions affect support for democratic norms. It found that when people feel financially secure, they are more likely to support liberal democratic principles. But when they experience economic hardship and insecurity, they become more open to authoritarian leaders and policies, regardless of their political ideology.

  • The study was published on March 8, 2026.

The players

Donald Trump

The former president whose authoritarian tendencies may appeal to some voters during economic crises, according to the study.

Northwestern University's Center for Communication & Public Policy

The research institution that conducted the study on the relationship between economic conditions and support for authoritarianism.

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What they’re saying

“Commitments to liberal democratic norms are conditional, not fixed. When people feel financially secure, support for democratic principles increases. When they feel economically disadvantaged, voters are more open to authoritarianism and autocracy, with characteristics including a biased press, weakened checks on executive power and attacks on the rule of law.”

— Chauncey DeVega, Salon journalist (Salon)

The takeaway

This study suggests that economic crises can undermine support for democratic norms and institutions, potentially benefiting authoritarian leaders who promise to restore stability - even if their policies are partly responsible for the economic hardship. It highlights the fragility of democratic commitments and the need to address underlying economic insecurity to strengthen support for liberal values.