The four cryptic words Donald Trump can’t stop saying
“There’s something going on,” Trump said. “It’s inconceivable. There’s something going on.”
That phrase, according to political scientists who study conspiracy theories, is characteristic of politicians who seek to exploit the psychology of suspicion and cynicism to win votes.
.. The idea that people in positions of power or influence are conspiring to conceal sinister truths from the public can be inherently appealing, because it helps make sense of tragedy and satisfies the human need for certainty and order. Yet politicians hoping to take advantage of these tendencies must rely on vague and suggestive statements, since any specific accusation could be easily disproved.
.. Polling during the primary showed that Trump was especially popular with Republicans who endorsed conspiracy theories.