As Trump faces legal proceedings, a surprising lull in political unrest among supporters  

The Boston Globe draws on ISD research to examine the narratives that arise when it appears that Donald Trump is under attack, whether through legal proceedings he faces or the possibility of him losing the 2024 elections. The newspaper reports that the US is experiencing one of the quietest periods recorded by that extremism research in recent years, marked by a notable absence of political action among Trump supporters who believe he will win the elections. However, conspiracy theories surrounding current events, including Trump’s recent conviction, remain concerning as potential catalysts for acts of violence. According to ISD research featured in the article, both the 2022 raid of Trump’s residence in Florida and his 2024 conviction resulted in thousands of calls for violence and “open fantasies about a violent overthrow of the government.” 

ISD’s rapid response analysis, referenced in the article, conducted in May following the Trump’s trial in New York, concluded that while “mass mobilization is unlikely at this time,” the number of violent threats levied at judges and jurors, with over 9,000 posts related to unrest identified, underscores the distrust and unrest being generated by these developments leading up to November election.