The Cult of MAGA

When you hear the word cult, what do you think of first?

For most, the word probably conjures up dark images of charismatic serial killers or clandestine rituals done in the dead of night. It's a misunderstood concept that mystifies and terrifies many, but why is this? People are fascinated by cults because of the psychological and sociological aspects that influence them. It's not an easy idea to define or understand, of course. Although some cults are easily understood as such, others are a little more subtle.

A cult is defined as:

"a group or movement with a shared commitment to a usually extreme ideology that is usually embodied in a charismatic leader" - Janja Lalich, American sociologist and writer

Now, it's important to note that people do not join cults willingly, but are lured by charismatic leaders and the promise of belonging and purpose. Cult leaders are (often powerful) people who prey on the vulnerabilities and insecurities of other people, thereby bringing comfort and, subsequently, community. At least, that's what they're led to understand. Most of us can agree that cults are dangerous: not just for those of us on the outside, but for members as well. A lot of the danger, I believe, stems from ignorance. There is an ignorance that comes with joining a cult, with unquestionably believing everything you're told. And often, there's an anger that comes with ignorance. I have been the target of it many times, myself.

To fully understand the effect cults have on people, we must first recognize what attracts people to a cult in the first place. Society is a harsh and uncaring place. I think most of us can agree on that. Humans are innately social creatures. Humans crave comfort, love, and belonging. It's no surprise that many who turn to the shallow consolation of a cult do so out of low self-esteem or self worth. It makes sense that it's easier to manipulate those who are insecure than those who are confident. A cult gives people something to believe in: a common ground that unites one another. This isn't to say that only the vulnerable are susceptible. On the contrary, under the right circumstances, anyone can fall victim.

Recognizing a cult is not as straightforward as it may seem, as they tend to masquerade as things like religious movements or self help groups. Those known as leaders rely on psychological tactics to recruit and indoctrinate followers, creating an environment that discourages individual thinking and identity. Cults are dangerous; there's no question about that. But what makes them so dangerous, and why are they so hard to escape?

I know what you're thinking. How does any of this relate to the MAGA crowd?

First, let's discuss what MAGA really means in the political world. We've all met those people: convinced that their leader is the Lord and Saviour himself, unwilling to acknowledge any opposing opinions. The MAGA movement is a political ideology founded on the belief that America's status of "greatness" has been lost to globalization and immigration. But let's call it what it really is: a white supremacist movement. The phrase "make America great again" was first used in 1980 by Ronald Reagan in reference to inflation and the country's economic distress. In 2011, the phrase was first used by Donald Trump.

Followers of the MAGA movement believe it to be bigger than politics. To them, it's not just a slogan, but a promise to save America from complete destruction. Patriotism runs deep through the veins of MAGA Republicans, and there's a very thin line between patriotism and white supremacy. I must point out, here, the heavy connotations of the word cult. It's not a word to be used lightly or thrown around in casual conversation. Many scholars have recognized the dangers of the MAGA movement to not only those outside of it, but followers as well.

All cults have several characteristics in common, and each characteristic can be traced back in some way to Donald Trump and his supporters. Let's examine.

01. A Charismatic, Authoritarian Leader

All cults begin with someone who claims to be a visionary: who knows how to speak to appeal to others, and who master manipulation techniques in order to sway the minds of listeners. Cult leaders demand complete loyalty, dismissing and discouraging critique or questions. Followers display a zealous, usually obsessive loyalty to the leader, whom they hold on a gold pedestal.

Trumpism is associated with the belief that Trump is above the law. The man was indicted of thirty four crimes and faced absolutely no repercussions, even remaining eligible to run for president. I mean, come on. Though I'm not sure I would describe him as charismatic. Those of us on the outside can tell in a heartbeat that the man is full of shit, but he certainly has a way of appealing to a very specific demographic - even where I live in Canada. He's been described by supporters as bigger than Jesus, and the saviour who will win the fight against society's demons. This kind of love is not love at all, but dangerous obsession.

02. Indoctrination

Indoctrination is defined as:

"​the act or process of forcing somebody to accept a particular belief or set of beliefs and not allowing them to consider any others".

It's a term that's used very often, much of the time in the wrong context. As a queer, trans human, I have been accused more times than I can count of indoctrinating my child to be LGBT. Indoctrination is a fundamental aspect of any cult. Thought control techniques make it much easier to exploit the vulnerabilities of other people. This is done in subtle ways such as isolation, love-bombing, propaganda, fear-mongering, and fear-based control.

There is a lot of fear that exists in the minds of MAGA followers. If this fear has nowhere to go, it manifests as anger, hatred, and/or violence. Donald Trump creates fear in his followers by spreading false information and blatant propaganda - which I truly believe is the only way he manages to get "followers" at all. None of his claims are ever backed up, and still somehow, millions of people believe them.

03. Us Versus Them

A powerful aspect of cult leaders is their undeniable ability to encourage social isolation in their followers - and there is an unmistakable persecution complex that exists in cult followers. This mindset can affect anyone, but those with trauma or low self-worth are particularly susceptible. As a result of cognitive biases and thought reform, people can develop the belief that a group of people and/or society are out to cause them harm. Cult followers are taught to believe that they are superior, and those opposed to them are always wrong.

While researching for this article, I read a piece that spoke about responding to MAGA hate with compassion and understanding rather than argument. The truth is that these people truly are brainwashed into blind hatred and fear, and living like this must be miserable. I can understand that violence and persecution and hatred are a result of fear with no place to go, and it's easy to target a group who has been an unjust subject of propaganda for years. As a human being, I want to be sympathetic and compassionate. As a trans person, I am much too exhausted to care.

Sources and Further Reading

https://www.discovermagazine.com/mind/the-psychology-behind-cults?mibextid=Zxz2cZ

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/trumps-personality-cult-plays-a-part-in-his-political-appeal/

https://www.discovermagazine.com/mind/the-psychology-behind-cults

https://www.onlinepsychologydegree.info/what-to-know-about-the-psychology-of-cults/

https://www.livereal.com/psychology/cults/

https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/finding-a-new-home/202407/what-donald-trumps-most-loyal-followers-may-have-in-common

https://medium.com/@nicholaspcarlone/the-dangers-of-cults-understanding-mitigating-and-preventing-the-threat-db2962dfa25e

https://www.patheos.com/blogs/keithgiles/2024/10/what-not-to-say-to-people-trapped-in-the-maga-cult/

https://www.rawstory.com/maga-is-a-cult-and-here-s-the-proof/

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/maga-donald-trump-poll-cult-b2397143.html

https://ubfriends.org/ubfriends2015/cult-101-sociological-characteristics-of-cults/

https://www.learning-mind.com/persecution-complex/

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-shared-psychosis-of-donald-trump-and-his-loyalists/