Trump Blows Up His Own Nominee's Hearing Over Conspiracy Theory - Yahoo
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Trump derailing his own nominee's hearing over a noncitizen-voting conspiracy theory is a textbook case of how motivated reasoning can override even self-interest.
Motivated ReasoningConspiracy TheoryIn-Group BiasBelief Perseverance
Theory Briefing
- Trump disrupted his own nominee's confirmation hearing by pushing a conspiracy theory about noncitizens voting against him.
- The episode illustrates motivated reasoning — where a desired conclusion (election threat) shapes the 'evidence' accepted as real.
- Legislation tied to the conspiracy theory frames noncitizen voting as a partisan weapon, reinforcing in-group vs. out-group political identity.