Yes, Trumpism Is A Cult. So What Do We Do Now?

Another triggering post by the smartest guy on this board! By Jay Kuo, also smarter than you.

https://thinkbigpicture.substack.com/p/trumpism-maga-cult-deprogram-democracy

Trumpism has all the trappings of a classic cult of personality: a charismatic figure at the center who is worshiped as a modern messiah by his followers; a leader who seemingly can do no wrong, even while engaged in patterns of criminal behavior to grift money from them; a master manipulator who controls the behavior, thoughts, information and emotions of his flock.

Sound about right?

It’s becoming more common and accepted these days to speak openly about the “Cult of Trumpism.” Trump himself disdains the negative connotations of the word, and he even sued CNN unsuccessfully after the network aired that he was “like a cult leader.”

Still, it’s hard to observe the fanaticism around Trump and listen to the sheer ignorance of his followers, and conclude anything other than that Trumpism is a cult. We can see this in Trump’s poll numbers, at least among the party faithful: As the indictment walls close in on the ex-president, GOP voters are rallying more strongly to his side, and he now utterly dominates the field of Republican presidential contenders.

Today’s piece examines what a number of experts in cults have studied and said about Trumpism. We’ll hear from former cult members turned social activists, as well as from historians and political scientists who can help contextualize this madness that has gripped a good portion of the American electorate.