Interesting thread on Trump supporters' beliefs about storming the Capitol. Most Trump supporters did not support it. Many approval predictors made sense; one surprise is that people who approve storming the Capitol were *also* more likely to blame Antifa. Mental gymnastics? https://t.co/gcT4BMtrwr

— Anne Wilson (@awilson_WLU) January 9, 2021

To be sure, it's not a huge effect size, but big enough to think about. My guesses: 1) right wing media (broadly construed) narratives have encouraged both beliefs, so some ppl endorse both without thinking about the logical inconsistency

— Anne Wilson (@awilson_WLU) January 9, 2021

2) Trump supporters want a mechanism for saying "I support the sentiment of the protest but not the violence." Although blaming Antifa in this case is clearly disconnected from reality, it's not all bad that Trump supporters are disavowing the violence (even in a silly way).

— Anne Wilson (@awilson_WLU) January 9, 2021

Also - although I completely decry the violence & storming of the Capitol, I *still* defend the (considerably larger) peaceful/lawful protest that day. I believe their grievances are factually incorrect and I'd likely morally decry many of their views. Still support their right.

— Anne Wilson (@awilson_WLU) January 9, 2021

It may be unpopular to point out at this time of (justified) outrage, but I think it's important for liberals (and all others who oppose Trump) not to succumb to the temptation to paint all conservatives with that same brush. They are NOT synonymous w the insurrectionists.

— Anne Wilson (@awilson_WLU) January 9, 2021

I mostly feel sad that affective polarization, mistrust in institutions, and misinformation has gotten to this point. Here's one recent review of how bad this had gotten by @EliJFinkel and many colleagues https://t.co/6DeY89nlHh

— Anne Wilson (@awilson_WLU) January 9, 2021

I don't absolve regular Republicans, but I truly reserve my fury for the political elites who have cynically, knowingly perpetuated election falsehoods knowing that a large enough % of their supporters no longer trust the fact-checkers.

— Anne Wilson (@awilson_WLU) January 9, 2021

These misconceptions don't come from thin air - people get their ideas from somewhere. Info from political elites & media are increasingly divided, partisan & extreme, which can set off these spirals. My review of this vicious cycle with @vparks https://t.co/Sn3rjmLgT9 pic.twitter.com/eVfFNue9ZP

— Anne Wilson (@awilson_WLU) January 9, 2021

Oh - and liberals have misconceptions too, and we should hold our group to the same standards (a thread for another time!). That doesn't mean that misconceptions are equivalent, or equally harmful. But we should dissent when our own group, media & elites play these games.

— Anne Wilson (@awilson_WLU) January 9, 2021

BREAKING: 68% of Americans oppose Pres. Trump pardoning himself for any federal crimes he may be accused of committing, according to new @ABC News/WaPo poll. https://t.co/mseWRp7ezf

— ABC News (@ABC) January 17, 2021

Trump finishes with worst first term approval rating everhttps://t.co/bxltk7HVI7

— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) January 18, 2021