The 2016 presidential election might be remembered as the one about beliefs—about the things that people either believe or refuse to believe. Neil Steinberg wrote in his Wednesday Sun-Times column that he could sum up the race for president in one sentence: “Donald Trump is a man who will say anything, supported by people who will believe anything.”
People who choose to believe make-believe aren’t particular to Trump. Many are among the finest people on earth. On Sunday we find them in church—where they profess faith in things more unlikely than Trump’s most extravagant flights of fancy—and then they go back into the world to lead exemplary lives sustained by Sunday’s principles.
It appears to me Trump is supported by people who are living their faith. Out of a hunger for a champion who understands them and will soothe their pains, they have made presumptions about Trump that reason cannot undue because reason had nothing to do with forming them. They presume, because Trump is their 18th cow. It’s not that they all actually think Trump’s the answer—much less know it—but presuming this to be true is such a comfort to them it would be irrational of them to stop.
