World History

The internet and the rise of social media allowing sub-groups of people to be selectively targeted and propagandized by, for instance, Russian intelligence played a large role. The financial crash of 2008 causing fear of economic instability and further causing people to look for simple solutions played a role. Reality TV portraying Trump as some sort of business wizard played a role.

I don't think there is a simple answer to the question of how/why Trump became politically popular. Haagerup's analysis is interesting but he is analyzing it from a particular perspective. I would like to hear from people with different backgrounds analyze the question from different perspectives.