I am a psychotherapist. Some of my patients secretly support Trump.

• Jonathan Alpert is a psychotherapist practicing in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States.
• Among his patients, he sees election anxiety related to the race between Harris and Trump.
• Alpert told BI that some of his patients support Trump but are reluctant to tell others.

This as told essay is based on conversations with Jonathan Alpert – a psychotherapist and the author of ‘Be fearless: change your life in 28 days‘ – who is seeing an increase in anxiety among his patients about the 2024 presidential election. Alpert is licensed to practice in New York, Washington, DC, Connecticut, Maryland and Pennsylvania, so some of his patients live in hotly contested communities in the Philadelphia and Erie areas. This year, he’s hearing a series of concerns from his patients about both Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. And while Trump has been in the public eye as a politician for nearly a decade, Alpert said some patients remain “shy” Trump voters, or voters who are afraid to reveal they support the former president for a myriad of reasons.

This essay has been edited for length and clarity.

With these elections there seems to be even more polarization than in recent years, even more disinformation and a lot of uncertainty in our society. This uncertainty leads to instability and fear for the future, resulting in increased anxiety about who will be chosen as the next leader.

Moreover, previous election controversies lead to a persistent sense of unease. Many people believe that the election could lead to significant social unrest or decline. There is also a contagion effect that cannot be ignored. Social circles, family dynamics, and online communities have created tribalism and subsequent division in our society, leading to widespread feelings of fear.

Some patients are ‘not happy’ with the rise of Harris or Trump’s candidacy

Add to that the de facto nomination of Harris after (President) Joe Biden dropped out of the race. Many people, even if they are Democrats, are not happy with the way Harris was nominated and have reservations about voting for her. They talk to me about their declining confidence in her ability to lead and worry about her lack of depth and substance when they ask benign questions about her policies.

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As for Trump, a major source of the anxiety of those around him stems from disbelief that someone they consider a bully could become so popular. We are not taught that meanness is a path to success, but Trump’s divisiveness resonates with many and signals a hunger for change. Whether loved or hated, Trump gives a voice to many who feel unheard. Here’s what worked for him in 2016 and what he’s aiming for in 2024.

‘I see a lot of shy or closed Trump voters’

These are people who have positive feelings toward Trump and prefer his policies over Harris’s, but don’t feel comfortable expressing their choice to friends, family, or romantic partners. I see this playing out in the lives of many of my patients.

Some talk about other people’s assumptions about their political beliefs. One patient told me that everyone in her cooking class just assumes she is a liberal and hates Trump. In fact, she is not a liberal and does not hate Trump. She supports him. She sits in silence while the rest of the class complains about Trump.

Another patient said he can’t discuss his frustration with the student loan forgiveness program with friends, which he feels he shouldn’t support because he didn’t go to college. Any attempt he makes to have a reasonable conversation about this is quickly shot down and he is labeled a “MAGA Republican.” The truth is he is a moderate Republican and works two jobs to make ends meet and support his family.

There are many similar stories I have heard over the past few months. The result: These people are overwhelmingly silent about their political beliefs and voting plans for the upcoming election and are closeted Trump supporters.

What drives the phenomenon of ‘shy’ Trump voters?

For some, publicly supporting Trump could lead to criticism or exclusion from friends, family or colleagues who hold opposing views. These people fear judgment or social consequences, and this leads them to hide their political beliefs.

For many people, their political beliefs are often tied to their personal identity. For closeted Trump supporters, maintaining a positive social image or protecting their personal and professional relationships may be a stronger motivator than expressing their true beliefs. People may feel torn between their personal beliefs and the need to conform to social norms or expectations.

But keeping political beliefs hidden can affect personal relationships. This secrecy can lead to a lack of real communication and possibly tension in relationships with those who might be surprised or bothered if they later discover their true beliefs.

A need to stop ‘unhealthy thinking’

My hope is that we can get to a place where Democrats and Republicans can be friends again and enjoy dinner together, despite their political differences. There was once a time when politicians battled it out in the halls of Congress but could leave it there.

Many people long for the days of yore, like when politicians like (Senator) John McCain and Biden – who had completely different political ideas – were friends. People long for a time when being on different sides of the political spectrum doesn’t stop you from being friends with someone. Demonizing someone just because he or she is from the opposing party is about as pointless and unhealthy as thinking that “all white people are privileged” or “all cops are bad.” Statements like these only add to the toxic source of unhealthy thinking and fear that abounds in our society.