In a stark warning to British democracy, a new analysis of 10,000 posts from Donald Trump’s social media accounts reveals a pattern of divisive rhetoric that experts say has already infected UK politics. The study, conducted by the Centre for Analysis of Social Media at the University of London, found that Trump’s posts deliberately amplify grievances, attack institutions, and frame political opponents as existential threats.
The implications for Britain are clear. Since the Brexit referendum, British politicians have increasingly adopted similar tactics, using language that corrodes trust in parliament, the judiciary, and the press. The study’s lead author, Dr. Eleanor Finch, said: “The playbook is identical. It’s about creating an ‘us versus them’ narrative, delegitimising opponents, and stoking anger against a perceived elite. We are seeing this in the slogan ‘Get Brexit Done’, in attacks on ‘enemies of the people’, and in the rhetoric around immigration.”
The analysis categorises Trump’s posts into three themes: 55% attack individuals or groups, 25% claim illegitimate processes (like ‘rigged elections’), and 20% advance conspiracy theories. British political figures have mirrored these patterns: a report by the think tank ‘Hope Not Hate’ found that 30% of Tory MPs and 40% of Brexit Party candidates used similar language during the 2019 election.
For ordinary Britons, the consequence is a more polarised and hostile public square. “It makes it harder to have a reasonable conversation about how to run the country,” said Steve Richards, a political commentator. “People retreat into their bubbles. Policy becomes a zero-sum game.” The study calls for stronger regulation of social media and for political parties to adopt a code of conduct. Without action, the report warns, Britain risks sliding further into the toxic tribalism that has paralysed American politics.
