Collective narcissism fueled the pro-Trump "Stop the Steal" movement on Twitter
by Karina Petrova
PsyPost
January 21, 2026
Social media platforms witnessed a surge in intense political debate following the 2020 United States presidential election. New research indicates that a specific psychological trait known as collective narcissism played a primary role in fueling the “Stop the Steal” movement on Twitter. The study finds that messages expressing an exaggerated sense of group importance combined with victimhood were more likely to go viral. These findings regarding online political behavior appeared in the journal New Media & Society.
Social psychologists describe collective narcissism as a belief system where individuals view their own group as exceptional. This belief is not merely about pride. It comes with a deep conviction that the group is not receiving the recognition or privilege it deserves from others. When the group faces a perceived threat, such as an election loss, this psychological trait can drive intense hostility toward outsiders.
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The investigation revealed that national identity was the central theme in these expressions. Tweets characterized by collective narcissism frequently used the pronoun “we.” This usage created a sharp linguistic boundary between the in-group and everyone else. Terms like “America,” “Americans,” and “country” appeared often in these posts.
Liwei Shen and the team found that users did not just express support for a candidate. They framed the political contest as a battle for the nation’s existence. The language used often equated loyalty to Donald Trump with patriotism itself. Conversely, any opposition to the movement was framed as a betrayal of the country.
https://www.psypost.org/collective-narcissism-fueled-the-pro-trump-stop-the-steal-movement-on-twitter/
Good read