Why do Republicans hate American cities?

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

In the last week, President Donald Trump has authorized and promoted a military occupation of one of the largest cities in the world, Los Angeles, in an attempt to squash protests against his unconstitutional mass deportations.

The action against Los Angeles reflects longstanding conservative disdain for U.S. cities, despite their pivotal role in the nation’s cultural and economic development.

The right really hates cities

Since becoming a political figure, Trump has had few positive things to say about cities. During the 2024 election cycle, he argued that the “whole country will end up being like Detroit” if Vice President Kamala Harris won.

“I think Detroit and some of our areas makes us a developing nation,” Trump said.

https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2025/6/14/2327623/-Why-do-Republicans-hate-American-cities

[AZProgressive]

1. Most people live in cities

LA has a significant chunk of the US population living there as well as NYC and so many other big blue cities.

[Walleye]

2. They hate the United States and our freedom. They want to be able to order us around.

So of course, they hate the cities. They never go there, but they reap all the benefits from them. Also, there are a lot of minorities living in the cities. And they might actually hear some Spanish on their delicate little ears.

[haele]

3. Because they (Cities) are hotbeds of innovation and fun.

And cities are diverse. One needs to be polite to people that aren't in "their class" or they find themselves getting poor service, or worse, called out for the petty jerks they are.
Small town America will smile and kowtow to their greatness. Cities will compare them to others with power and point out their shortcomings.

[SheltieLover]

4. Because thdy have solid economies which kremlin wants destroyed

[Diamond_Dog]

5. He has the wrong idea for a "developing nation."

He ought to visit some of the rural areas in Appalachia and the South.

[skypilot]

6. Because...

...they have lots of POC and gays.

[Ping Tung]

7. Big cities are home to the intelligentsia, artists, readers, writers, students, non-whites, etc. They all are considered

to be dangerous un American, anti-family, non-believers in a cruel God.

Unlike the "salt of the earth" types.

[LeftinOH]

8. The percentage of non-whites in cities is generally larger than rural/small towns.

That's all there is to it....

[stillcool]

9. he's from New York for chrissakes

owned casinos in New Jersey. It's typical Republican trash-talk. It's how they stoke the fire of fear in their white voters. The city people are coming to mess up your town. Look...over there

[blm]

10. Because Dem-voting areas account for 70% of this nation's economy.

Biden-Voting Counties Equal 70% Of The U.S. Economy

https://www.statista.com/chart/23515/aggregate-vote-won-as-a-share-of-us-gdp/

[ITAL]

11. Nothing new

At least as far back as the 1928 presidential campaign, Republicans have painted big cities, and those that come from them (as Al Smith was a New York Irish Catholic at a time when all three were seen as "alien" to much of the US), as things to avoid. It's a big part of the reason Hoover crushed Al Smith, though he'd likely have won a narrower race regardless.