The Malice Masked as Joy: Unveiling the Core of Schadenfreude in Trumpism
What kind of society gleans satisfaction from the suffering of others? What marrow-deep need is fed when pain is not merely ignored but exalted, cheered, and rationalized? Today, in the brittle heart of populist movements like Trumpism, this phenomenon takes on the undeniable guise of schadenfreude: that unsettling delight in witnessing others’ misery. But this is no abstract cultural tick—it is weaponized, celebrated, and baked into the political ethos of those who rally behind figures like Donald Trump.
We cannot untangle the threads of Trump support and its characteristic disdain for compassion without confronting this truth: its potent foundation lies in malicious joy. Beyond debates on policy or partisanship lies a darker, quieter reckoning—a form of glee derived not from self-improvement or progress, but from watching perceived enemies and vulnerable populations crumble.
This isn’t just about red versus blue or nationalism versus globalization. This is about America standing at a moral precipice, deciding whether it seeks to rebuild on empathy—or gleefully consume itself in the fires of cruelty and chaos.
The Anatomy of Cruelty
We have all been there, haven’t we? The child in us might recall actions born of curiosity but steeped in callousness, like pulling the wings off a fly or teasing a schoolmate simply because we could. For me, such a moment exists in stark, shameful clarity. I was eight years old and overheard one of my father’s half-serious musings about hating cats. Curious to probe this disdain, I caught a stray cat, placed it in a burlap sack, and tied it high from a tree branch.
The cat twisted and mewled, its muffled cries cutting through the air. For a fleeting moment, I felt something strange—a primal, unfamiliar thrill at having power over another being. But soon that feeling soured into something else entirely. Guilt churned in my stomach, as though my very soul whispered fiercely against this cruelty. Shame overtook me, and with trembling hands, I released the terrified creature. It bolted off into the brush, yet its memory lingers with me.
I often think of that cat. Of how my childish thrill mirrored something society is now grappling with on a mass scale. But where my moment of cruelty was fleeting and instructive, schadenfreude has evolved into a reinforcing feedback loop within political ideologies like Trumpism—a defining tool wielded almost proudly, unchecked by self-reflection.
Trump and the Art of Spectacle Suffering
Donald Trump, above all, is a marketer of grandiose narratives. And one of his most effective campaigns has been commodifying cruelty—turning collective suffering into a consumable spectacle. Think of the cheers in 2015 when he mocked a disabled reporter. Or the callous chants of “build that wall” at rally after rally, fueled not by practical border policies but by collective exhilaration at the image of helpless, desperate migrants locked out of opportunity.
More, recently the termination of tens of thousands of federal workers with malice,and without cause has been heartless. His and Musk’s reckless treatment of the federal workforce is utterly unjust. Its conduct has proven itself unprofessional, shoddy and arguably illegal. But I don’t believe these poor termination tactics derive solely from incompetence. Setting termination dates just days before someone is no longer on probation takes planning. It takes a certain ruthlessness that is part of this administration’s ongoing pattern of intimidation.
These moments are not political blunders—they are calculated theater. They channel the raw emotion of schadenfreude into a rallying call for tribal unity. It is no longer just policy differences at play, but a frame of “us versus them” so ferocious that any suffering dealt to the outgroup becomes cause for celebration.
It is why Trump supporters often dismiss the pain of others. Whether it’s the impact on immigrants separated from their children, workers denied healthcare access, or climate refugees displaced by disasters many politicians refuse to address, the response is often glib indifference or outright contempt.
But this schadenfreude does something even more corrosive than hardening hearts. It creates an emotional addiction—a cycle where experiencing joy depends on witnessing someone else’s fall. This cycle infects not only individuals but political parties, communities, and ultimately institutions.
The result? A democracy split at its core between constructive politics and destructive nihilism. Institutions designed to serve the collective good become targets for demolition because their very existence represents compromise, compassion, and progress—values seen as weaknesses by those pulling at the seams.
Imagine the colossal effort it takes to rewire empathy into cruelty. It not only destroys the spirit of those it harms but also hollows out those who wield it, leaving behind only distrust, resentment, and insecurity.
The lesson, I believe, lies in the tension between power and compassion. I think back to that cat in the burlap sack—how easily I found joy in its torment, but how quickly I realized such joy was hollow and corrosive. Trump’s political ethos and the schadenfreude it cultivates rests atop a similar illusion: that strength is proven not by nurturing growth in others but by reveling in their destruction.
But we can disrupt this cycle. It is not only possible—it is necessary—for individuals and societies to confront the malicious impulses entwined within their cultural DNA. To do so, we must first name it, challenge it, and actively choose empathy over malice.
Where Do We Start?
- Promote Compassion in Politics
Elect leaders who value inclusion, cooperation, and the collective good over division and cruelty. Call out policies—regardless of party affiliation—that inflict harm to flex their power.
- Engage in Empathetic Dialogue
Seek to understand the motivations of those who revel in others’ suffering. Explore these dark underpinnings with grace and curiosity—not to excuse harm, but to challenge it without perpetuating the cycle.
- Speak Out Against Schadenfreude
It is vital to highlight, at every opportunity, that delighting in another’s suffering is not just morally wrong; it is spiritually empty. Acknowledge when we cross these lines, as individuals and as a culture, and commit to growth.
- Model Healthy Spirituality
Much of the animus within Trumpism stems from an impoverished spiritual life—a lack of grounding values or a connection to something bigger than themselves. Communities must champion spirituality not as dogmatism, but as a source of love, connection, and personal responsibility.
The path toward healing won’t be navigated by force alone. It requires us to step into the broken spaces and choose bold empathy, compassion, and a collective fight against darkness disguised as power. Compassion remains the rebellion—the audacious, radical answer to schadenfreude’s corrosive reign.
It begins with small, brave acts. Speaking up in defense of those who can’t defend themselves. Asking the empathetic questions others dare not ask. And electing leaders who elevate humanity rather than trample it for fleeting highs.
To choose kindness is to resist despair. Because cruelty burns, but love—and only love—rebuilds.
