- Former President Donald Trump is bandaged after injuries sustained during an assassination attempt.
- Some Republican National Convention attendees and supporters wore bandages over their ears in a show of solidarity.
- Other leaders throughout history, such as Alexei Navalny, have received similar support.
Former President Donald Trump survived an assassination attempt and made his first public appearance two days later on the first night of the Republican National Convention.
He entered the convention center with a large bandage over his right ear, a gunshot wound, and over the next few days, some of his supporters began wearing bandages of their own.
Like wearing a MAGA hat, “it promotes a sense of belonging and connection,” Dr. Catherine Nobile, a clinical psychologist in New York, told Business Insider. “'We're all in this together, we're all on the same page.'”
Dr. Angie Corbo, dean of the Widener University School of Communications, told Business Insider that the bandages go a step further than Trump's shirts or yard signs.
This is a classic example of co-regulation, a well-documented coping mechanism in psychology that can calm the nervous system.
Signs of solidarity are comforting in times of trouble
Imitation has always been a gesture of devotion and support: take the example of people shaving their heads to show solidarity with cancer patients.
This is nothing new in the political world. For example, in 2017, Supporters of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny painted their faces green after an assailant threw green disinfectant dye in their faces.
For Navalny and Trump supporters, the performative mimicry is an act of solidarity. “It's saying, 'We matter, and you can't take that away,'” Nobile says. “'My feelings about myself, the world around me, this culture, and politics in general are valid opinions and they won't be offended.'”
But this is not just a political statement of defiance and loyalty: it is also a self-soothing gesture of solidarity.
Humans have a standard way of dealing with overwhelming emotions and stress: co-regulation, the technical term for hugging, talking and touching. Evidence suggests that co-regulation, such as applying the same bandage, can “create a sense of understanding and belonging that can calm the nervous system,” Nobile said.
“Not all Trump supporters can gather together and hug,” she added, “but the earpieces they're all wearing may be a symbol of our collective efforts to police ourselves as a community.”
Trump's softer attitude continues to attract supporters
Corbo said one of Trump's strengths is his ability to use the media to his advantage. He said he was excited to take the iconic photo so soon after the shooting because he understood the impact it would have. Fans are already getting tattoos of the photo.
The bandage around his ear conveys a different, softer message – one that makes the audience feel more connected to him.
Trump's tone and demeanor was calm throughout the Republican National Convention, fitting the mood. He appeared calm and solemn as he reflected on the assassination attempt and later paid tribute to Cory Comperatore, who died during the convention, by embracing his firefighter's uniform.
“When he kissed the helmet, anyone in a parasocial relationship with him felt a hug,” Corbo said.
Visible bandages elicit greater sympathy, concern, and solidarity from supporters.
“We don't know how long it will last, but he may discover the value of combining soft with strong,” she said.
