Donald Trump Floats Bonkers New Theory for Reflecting Pool Disaster - Yahoo
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Trump's blame-shifting onto a journalist for the Reflecting Pool's troubles is a textbook case of scapegoating — and it reveals how political actors deflect accountability onto convenient enemies.
Scapegoating TheoryAttribution ErrorIn-Group/Out-Group DynamicsBlame-Shifting
Theory Briefing
- Trump publicly named ABC News reporter Jonathan Karl as a suspect in the National Mall's Reflecting Pool troubles, a striking deflection of blame.
- Scapegoating theory predicts leaders under pressure will redirect public frustration toward a visible, symbolic outsider rather than systemic causes.
- The move fits a classic in-group/out-group dynamic, casting a media figure as the villain to rally supporters around a shared enemy.