"These are not protesters, they are troublemakers and insurrectionists," posted US President Donald Trump on his own Truth Social platform. Elon Musk, Trump's former right-hand, DOGE-man, seconded the post by screenshotting and reposting it on his platform, X.

This has been the conservative narrative since people in Los Angeles began protesting against the Trump Administration's immigration policy in early June. Some say Trump is manufacturing a crisis for political gain, and psychology studies suggest it may well work. 

Misinformation to sway people's thinking

Trump has compared images of burning cars, and demonstrators waving Mexican flags, to a "foreign invasion." He has deployed the National Guard against protestors — the first time a US President has bypassed state governments to do so since 1965. Police have hit journalists with rubber bullets — either directly or indirectly. Such drama, say psychologists, can feed a narrative of a state of emergency. 

But is it true? Critics have said Trump is manufacturing a crisis around the LA immigration protests for political gain. 

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, for example, described a series of raids on homes and vehicles as a provocation by the White House. 

California Governor Gavin Newsom called Trump's actions a step toward authoritarianism and a "brazen abuse of power."

Rather than turning people away from Trump, leading psychology research suggests this authoritarianism may increase his popularity — at least among voters who feel threatened by the idea of social breakdown.

Ben Hodges: LA crackdown 'a manufactured crisis'To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video

Social breakdown fuels desire for authoritarian leaders

Research has found that people who perceive society is unstable and chaotic are more likely to be receptive to authoritarian leaders who promise order, control, and certainty.  

One study among German and US participants f