It’s fear of the other group. If one group tells you to be afraid of the other group, the one telling you to be afraid is your friend. The enemy of my enemy is my friend.

“I don’t care what he does, as long as the libtards cry!” Their focus is on negative consequences for the people they hate, not positive outcomes for themselves. That only works as long as the group is relatively comfortable, or believes they are.

“I’ll tell you what’s at the bottom of it. If you can convince the lowest white man he’s better than the best colored man, he won’t notice you’re picking his pocket. Hell, give him somebody to look down on, and he’ll empty his pockets for you.” ~Lyndon B. Johnson

Why trust anyone in the first place? Mom and dad did, and/or everyone around them does. That hooks them in, then they fall for the same BS.

After that they belong to the group, and belonging is a powerful motivator to continue.