The Politics of Enmity: Outgroup Hostility and Support for the Big Lie

Salil D. Benegal, Thomas J. Hayes, Antonio Ugues, Department of Political Science, Union College, Department of Political Science, University of Connecticut, Department of Political Science and Public Policy, s College of Maryland, s City

Political Research Quarterly

Published online on March 27, 2026

Abstract

Political Research Quarterly, Ahead of Print.
Several recent studies have sought to understand the impact of the “big lie”—the false claim that the 2020 election was stolen from Donald Trump—and the impact of the events of January 6 on American democracy. This study seeks to understand why many ...