Propaganda and the Power of Influence on the Mind and Donald Trump

Decades ago, New York’s Madison Avenue advertising agencies discovered a powerful truth: repetition in messaging has a profound and lasting effect on the human mind. The more frequently a message is shared, the more likely people are to believe it, eventually accepting the products being promoted as the best. This perception is often an illusion, yet people spend their money on these products, sometimes even if they have no need for them.

Children are especially vulnerable to advertising. They quickly develop loyalty to brand names they hear repeatedly on television, even requesting medications they see advertised, believing these products will solve their imagined problems. Adults, often without realizing it, also start favoring whatever brands or ideas they’re exposed to through propaganda or advertising.

One of the masterminds behind the use of propaganda was Joseph Goebbels, Adolf Hitler’s Minister of Propaganda, who famously said, “If you tell a lie often enough, it becomes the truth.” This principle applies equally to modern political advertising. For example, a continuous stream of political attacks directed at Donald Trump over the past decade has influenced public opinion, much of it generated by Washington insiders. Many who dislike Trump struggle to provide reasons beyond superficial criticisms often picked up from the media.

Our natural tendency is to seek out sources that align with our political beliefs, reinforcing what we already think we know. However, it’s essential to examine our views and question whether they are rooted in facts or influenced by repeated propaganda. Careful research is crucial, as we can’t rely solely on the statements of TV personalities or politicians.