What happens when political leaders who build their identities around persecution acquire institutional power?
In my latest essay, I examine a video shared by Donald Trump featuring Pete Hegseth, whose rhetoric combines claims of political persecution with promises of strength, patriotism, and victory over perceived enemies.
This combination of victimhood and heroism is familiar from my research into Canadian far-right and conspiracy communities. Individuals and movements present themselves as victims of political, cultural, and religious persecution while simultaneously claiming the heroic responsibility of defending the nation.
Drawing on research conducted during my postdoctoral fellowship with The Disinformation Project at Simon Fraser University, I explore how these narratives construct collective political identities, justify hostility toward perceived enemies, and contribute to political mobilization.
The essay also introduces the central themes of my new book, Constructed Victimhood: A Pathway to Mainstreaming Hate on Social Media, published November 12, 2026, by Bloomsbury Academic.