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Let's talk about what MAGA and cults have in common, specifically a cult of personality. I've made this claim a few times and it'd be disingenuous if I didn't show my work.
First, let's state a definition. This is from Oxford: "An intense interest in or devotion to a person, idea, or activity. The phrase was originally used to describe the practice of totalitarian regimes in which a leader (e.g. Hitler) was elevated to a position of pre-eminence and presented as a source of all political wisdom, and the architect of all worthwhile political and social actions."
Another is this cited definition from Wikipedia: "A cult of personality, or a cult of the leader,[1] is the result of an effort which is made to create an idealized and heroic image of a admirable leader, often through unquestioning flattery and praise.[2]".
Doesn't that sound a little familiar?
Let's see what boxes Trump ticks.
First, we need charismatic leadership. Specifically the following, "An idealistic sense of radical mission is the essential feature, coupled with personal authority and extraordinary qualities that set the leader apart from ordinary folk. Those qualities include great confidence, personal presence, rhetorical skills, the ability to present themselves as a member of their followers' community, and Manichean Demonization (targeting of enemies)."
Well we can tick that off. He ticks every single bit of that. I quote "Trump promises to 'make America great again' (mission), attacks internal and external enemies (Manichean demonisation), exhibits a strong personal presence, and uses derogatory language against opponents (makes supporters feel part of the in-group)."
Let's take a lot at some other boxes.
The leader is the ultimate authority, can do no wrong and is accountable to no one. Tick. He want's to be king. Trump supporters apologize for him and the courts mean nothing.
The leader has zero tolerance for criticism or challenges. Well I don't have to elaborate here, Tick.
There is no financial transparency about the movement. Trump lied about cutting spending and he got Mike Johnson to sneak things into the BBB at the last minute. Tick.
Members become infected with irrational fears about other groups, often invoking baseless paranoid conspiracies, hate and othering. Tick, again no need to elaborate.
They exhibit unquestioning loyalty to certain “truths,” those espoused by their leader. You could show a Trump supporter a mountain of evidence that Trump was wrong and they would still believe it. Tick
Those who leave the cult are labeled traitors and ostracized. RINO, enough said. Tick.
Roger Money-Kyrle was a British psychoanalyst who witnessed first hand, Hitler's rallies. He described the pattern used to create propaganda as the following: Propaganda involves three stages: (1) induce depression, (2) induce paranoia, and (3) offer salvation.
Trump starts by creating a depression around the USA being no longer what it once was and focuses on the bad parts as if they are all. He then induces paranoia by making up conspiracies and attacking Democrats, saying that they will ruin the country etc. Thirdly, he offers himself as the savior. It's not hard to see. The problem is: Most cult members don't know it.
First, let's state a definition. This is from Oxford: "An intense interest in or devotion to a person, idea, or activity. The phrase was originally used to describe the practice of totalitarian regimes in which a leader (e.g. Hitler) was elevated to a position of pre-eminence and presented as a source of all political wisdom, and the architect of all worthwhile political and social actions."
Another is this cited definition from Wikipedia: "A cult of personality, or a cult of the leader,[1] is the result of an effort which is made to create an idealized and heroic image of a admirable leader, often through unquestioning flattery and praise.[2]".
Doesn't that sound a little familiar?
Let's see what boxes Trump ticks.
First, we need charismatic leadership. Specifically the following, "An idealistic sense of radical mission is the essential feature, coupled with personal authority and extraordinary qualities that set the leader apart from ordinary folk. Those qualities include great confidence, personal presence, rhetorical skills, the ability to present themselves as a member of their followers' community, and Manichean Demonization (targeting of enemies)."
Well we can tick that off. He ticks every single bit of that. I quote "Trump promises to 'make America great again' (mission), attacks internal and external enemies (Manichean demonisation), exhibits a strong personal presence, and uses derogatory language against opponents (makes supporters feel part of the in-group)."
Let's take a lot at some other boxes.
The leader is the ultimate authority, can do no wrong and is accountable to no one. Tick. He want's to be king. Trump supporters apologize for him and the courts mean nothing.
The leader has zero tolerance for criticism or challenges. Well I don't have to elaborate here, Tick.
There is no financial transparency about the movement. Trump lied about cutting spending and he got Mike Johnson to sneak things into the BBB at the last minute. Tick.
Members become infected with irrational fears about other groups, often invoking baseless paranoid conspiracies, hate and othering. Tick, again no need to elaborate.
They exhibit unquestioning loyalty to certain “truths,” those espoused by their leader. You could show a Trump supporter a mountain of evidence that Trump was wrong and they would still believe it. Tick
Those who leave the cult are labeled traitors and ostracized. RINO, enough said. Tick.
Roger Money-Kyrle was a British psychoanalyst who witnessed first hand, Hitler's rallies. He described the pattern used to create propaganda as the following: Propaganda involves three stages: (1) induce depression, (2) induce paranoia, and (3) offer salvation.
Trump starts by creating a depression around the USA being no longer what it once was and focuses on the bad parts as if they are all. He then induces paranoia by making up conspiracies and attacking Democrats, saying that they will ruin the country etc. Thirdly, he offers himself as the savior. It's not hard to see. The problem is: Most cult members don't know it.
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