Stigma-based solidarity betrayal: Implications for resistance to the rise of ethno-nationalism in the U.S.

Solidarity between groups who face societal marginalization– stigma-based solidarity– is essential to surviving the harms associated with ethno-nationalist, autocratic regimes. What happens when expectations for stigma-based solidarity are violated? Two studies (N1 = 945, N2 = 1116) examined this question in the context of the 2024 U.S. presidential election. Specifically, White (S1 and S2) and Black (S2) women who supported Kamala Harris in the election indicated how betrayed they felt by anti-Harris/pro-Trump voting behavior by members of other marginalized groups (i.e., Arab Americans, Latino men) and/or, members of an advantaged group (i.e., White men). In both studies, White women revealed a pattern of betrayal reflective of relational ties: greater betrayal by White men than Arab Americans/Latinos. Black women revealed a pattern of betrayal reflective of expectations for stigma-based solidarity: greater betrayal by Latinos compared to White men. Betrayal, in turn, correlated with trust in and, to some extent, future solidarity intentions toward the “betraying” outgroup. Together, the findings suggest a need to consider the emergence and potential consequences of stigma-based solidarity betrayal for the promise of cross-group political alliances to challenge societal injustice.