Schadenfreude: Donald Trump's Secret Weapon

Dear Mindful Leader,

Donald Trump has a secret weapon. One that might just push him across the finish line in 2024.

And it's not his policies, nor his massive rallies, nor even his relentless media strategy. It’s something far more insidious, buried deep within the human psyche.

Trump is wielding the power of Schadenfreude—and it’s working.

Schadenfreude, the German term that means taking pleasure in another's misfortune, has quietly become a driving force in our national discourse. It is a dark current that runs through the body politic, a biological, hardwired response in our brains that Trump masterfully stirs up, whether he knows it or not.

Trump's ability to enrage and divide is not just a political tactic; it taps into a deeply rooted survival mechanism that humans have carried for centuries. We need to understand this to realize how it's shaping our present—and potentially our future.

But what is Schadenfreude, and why does it resonate so deeply in this moment of history?

Schadenfreude on the Brain: The Science of Dark Joy

Schadenfreude isn’t just an ugly word for a shameful feeling.

It’s an emotion that is physically measurable.

Neuroscientists have captured it on brain scans, documenting how the human mind reacts to the misfortunes of others in a way that lights up our pleasure centers.

A Stanford study led by neuroscientist Hidehiko Takahashi showed that when we witness someone’s downfall—especially someone we envy or dislike—the dorsal striatum of our brain activates.

This part of the brain is responsible for reward processing, the same area that lights up when we eat good food, engage in sex, or win money.

That’s right: the same pleasure you get from a luxurious meal or hitting the jackpot is also triggered when you see someone fall from grace. Donald Trump knows this—consciously or unconsciously—he taps into this primal human impulse every time he calls out his enemies, mocks the media, or derides political rivals. He stirs the pot, and we, as a nation, are addicted to watching the chaos.

It’s as if every tweet, and every speech is designed to trigger the Schadenfreude response in his followers.

This isn’t just theory.

A 2009 study in Nature found that people derive more satisfaction when someone they envy or dislike experiences a downfall. Schadenfreude, it turns out, is especially strong when the victim is perceived as arrogant, wealthy, or immoral.

Sound familiar?

It’s the very fuel for Trump’s rallies, his rhetoric, and his appeal.

He positions himself as the underdog against an elite enemy, stirring up resentment and anger, and in doing so, he triggers that dopamine rush in the brains of millions.

The Rule of Schadenfreude: Why It Works

Let’s pause for a moment and consider what’s happening here. When we see others fall, when we feel that dark joy of Schadenfreude, it’s not just an emotional quirk. It’s an evolutionary trait. Leon Festinger’s Social Comparison Theory explains that humans constantly compare themselves to others as a way to measure self-worth. When we see someone fall, especially someone we perceive as higher up in the social hierarchy, it levels the playing field. It gives us a momentary sense of superiority.

And here lies Trump’s genius. He has positioned himself as both the victim and the warrior, constantly attacked but never defeated. His enemies are everyone’s enemies—Hollywood elites, the liberal media, the 'deep state.' And when those enemies falter, when they slip up or are caught in a scandal, his base experiences that jolt of Schadenfreude. The pleasure center of their brains lights up as they see the powerful brought low.

This is the emotional hook that Trump has mastered.

It’s why every insult, every controversy only seems to make him stronger. He taps into the anger and resentment that so many feel, and he gives them a target. He gives them an emotional release.

And as long as that dynamic persists, he remains formidable.

But Where Does That Leave Us?

I’m scared.

I’m deeply scared.

Because while this works for Trump, it is tearing our nation apart.

Schadenfreude, by its very nature, is divisive.

It thrives on comparison, on creating 'us versus them.' It feeds on conflict, not resolution. Our brains might enjoy the fleeting high of someone else’s misfortune, but what happens when the cycle never ends?

When half the country revels in the defeat or humiliation of the other half, we enter a vicious spiral. It’s addictive, it’s destructive, and it’s where we are right now. I see it in our divided politics, in our fractured communities, in the way social media amplifies every outrage, every fall from grace. The pleasure derived from Schadenfreude is a hollow joy—one that leaves us craving more conflict, more division.

This is why I’m afraid.

We’re hooked on the chaos, and Trump is the master of stirring the pot.

He knows that this weapon—this biological drive—is his secret to winning.

But what if, in winning, we all lose?

What if the only victory is that of division, of endless conflict?

Enter Gabenfreude: The Joy of Giving

There’s another way. A counterbalance to Schadenfreude that is equally wired into our brains, but much more uplifting.

It’s called Gabenfreude—the joy of giving.

When we give, something profound happens in our brains. Acts of generosity, kindness, and compassion activate the same reward centers that Schadenfreude taps into, but without the destructive side effects.

Research shows that giving triggers the release of dopamine and oxytocin—the “love hormone” that fosters trust, empathy, and social bonding.

Jorge Moll’s research at the National Institutes of Health revealed that when we engage in altruistic behavior, the brain’s reward system lights up just like it does during pleasurable experiences.

Giving is hardwired into us.

It’s part of our biology.

The more we give, the better we feel—not just emotionally but physically.

Oxytocin lowers stress, improves immune function, and fosters feelings of connection.

This is the path forward. Instead of taking joy in someone else’s downfall, we must embrace the joy of lifting others up. Imagine a world where we celebrate each other’s successes, where we take pleasure in acts of kindness rather than cruelty. Gabenfreude offers us a way out of the cycle of conflict and division. It taps into the same biological reward system as Schadenfreude but leads to connection, empathy, and healing.

A Call to Action: Embrace Gabenfreude

This is not just a feel-good sentiment.

It’s a protocol for survival.

Our nation is on the brink, divided by anger and resentment, fueled by the thrill of seeing the “other side” fail. But that thrill is fleeting, and it leaves us more fractured than before.

We need to make a choice.

Do we continue down the path of Schadenfreude, reveling in the chaos, or do we embrace Gabenfreude and start healing?

Consider this a call to action. Start small.

A kind word, a charitable donation, a moment of empathy for someone you might disagree with. The Rule of Benedict teaches us that “to prefer nothing to the love of Christ” is to prefer love over division.

And isn’t that what we need right now?

The Bible tells us in Proverbs 11:25 that “A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.”

There is a deep spiritual truth here, one that aligns with the science of Gabenfreude. Giving refreshes the soul. It heals us, physically and emotionally. It brings us closer to others and closer to God.

Protocol for Gabenfreude: How to Start Today

• Give generously. Whether it’s your time, money, or attention, the act of giving activates the same reward systems that make Schadenfreude so tempting.
• Practice empathy. When you feel the urge to revel in someone else’s downfall, take a moment to consider their humanity. What might they be going through? How can you lift them up?
• Focus on connection. Every act of kindness strengthens the bonds between us. Oxytocin is released when we give, deepening our sense of trust and community.
• Challenge yourself. Find joy in helping those you might disagree with. Let go of the need to see them fall. Embrace the satisfaction of lifting them up.

We are at a crossroads. Schadenfreude is winning right now. It’s working, and that’s why Trump might win.

But we don’t have to let it.

We can choose Gabenfreude.

We can tap into the same biological systems that drive us to division and use them to build something better.

I’m scared—but I also have hope.

Hope that we can shift this dynamic, that we can find joy not in the fall of others but in the rise of all.

Let’s start today.

Let’s give.

With mindful urgency,

David

P.S. Look, I publish Mindful Ethics & The Best of LinkedIn to spread the good word, but to make a living, and there is nothing unethical about that, I sell solar panels. If you're ready to supercharge your business with sustainable energy, now's the time to act. With Joe Biden's Build Back Better plan funneling unprecedented funds into green initiatives, the opportunities are massive. Just last month I helped a hospitality client secure $849,000 in federal grants—essentially free money for their solar system. Imagine what your business or hotel could do with a seven-figure boost in government benefits. Don’t wait—DM me today to apply for a solar grant -- free money from Uncle Sam

One More Thing: Do you know a business drowning in electricity costs? Refer them to me, and if we close the deal, you'll earn a royalty that's as big as a shark's bite. Let's make some waves together!

? Published by: David Vogel, in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire

#gabenfreude #divineintervention #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth