Thomas B. Edsallは、Trump大統領の自己愛主義と汚職がAmericaの人種的ダイナミクスに深く影響したと論じている。Trumpは、conservative whitesが多民族国家に適応していく緩やかな動きを止め、Republican votersの間で有害な人種的・移民に対する態度を正当化した。これにより、Abraham Lincolnのpartyは、人種的怨恨とxenophobiaを基盤とする党派へと変貌した。Studies show Trump supporters increased prejudice toward Muslims, immigrants, and African Americans during his presidency. Conversely, non-Trump voters, including Democrats and some Republicans, remained stable or decreased in their expressed prejudice.

Research by University of Kent and Yale professors Benjamin C. Ruisch and Melissa J. Ferguson tracked 1,000 participants before and after the 2016 election, finding significant shifts.

Ashley Jardina and Trent Ollerenshaw's 2025 paper notes Trump's campaign rhetoric was 'littered with overtly xenophobic and racist statements,' a strategy that was 'profoundly consequential.'.