As someone who has spent countless hours watching investigative documentaries about cults, I’ve come to understand some common characteristics that define fervent group leaders. Typically, the person at the helm (often a white male) is never questioned about his exaggerated beliefs and positions. If you dare to challenge a leader’s abusive actions, you become an enemy. By the time you realize you’re entrenched in a cult-like environment, the manipulative tactics of your leader make it nearly impossible to extricate yourself.
Over the last four years, I’ve witnessed the tumultuous reign of Donald J. Trump, who has held the highest office in our nation. It’s increasingly difficult to view him as anything other than a cult leader. He galvanizes his most devoted followers to transform his unfounded claims into bizarre rallying cries, contribute money that they mistakenly believe will combat the elusive “voter fraud,” and eagerly absorb every erroneous tweet he sends out—all while defending him at any cost.
As our outgoing president maintains an iron grip on his fanbase through unwavering loyalty, the line between a committed Trump supporter and a cult member seems to blur. Even more unsettling, some psychologists have noted that Trump embodies this alarming type of leadership. Instead of promoting unorthodox spiritual beliefs or peculiar self-help principles, he echoes the rhetoric of dictators through his chaotic language, divisive ideologies, and calls for violence. In essence, Trump attracts his loyal base by articulating what many harbor in their hearts. He openly embraces racism, ridicule, xenophobia, and bigotry.
If you cast your vote for Donald Trump, you, too, have aligned yourself with these ideologies. This comes as no surprise, yet it is profoundly disappointing. After all, the issues of white supremacy and bigotry have plagued society for generations. Trump merely holds up a gaudy mirror to reflect these truths. For some unfathomable reason, you all continue to gaze into that mirror, seeing only him in return.
Your support for Trump, whether silent or vocal, signifies your complicity in the status quo—and that applies to each of you who marked his name on your ballot on November 3rd. A staggering 72,741,954 Americans chose to support a narcissistic, gaslighting, and racist individual this year. For those of us who didn’t, we are acutely aware of your choice. We recognize what you truly endorse and what you willingly overlook. You had the opportunity to vote out a corrupt, abusive leader, yet you stubbornly declined. By doing so, you sent a clear message: either you are brazenly showcasing your disdain for marginalized groups, or you are comfortable concealing it in plain sight because of some self-serving benefit Trump provides.
Even worse, some of you voted for Trump for a handful of policies that cater to your interests, consciously ignoring the extensive list of human rights violations he has committed during his presidency.
If you’re reading this as someone who supported our beleaguered president during the election, you might not recognize the damage your choice inflicts on our nation. You see the bigots who rally around Trump’s agenda and can’t possibly imagine being aligned with them in any way. I understand this viewpoint because I’ve seen it reflected in people I care about.
But here’s the critical difference between you, a Trump voter, and me, a Biden voter: I seized the opportunity to take action to steer our country away from Trump’s influence. You didn’t. I understood that my vote wouldn’t magically eliminate racism and hatred, but it was a necessary step to oppose a president who has gotten away with far too much for too long. You chose otherwise. I recognized a pivotal moment in our history that required a stand against the legitimization of division and hostility, while also upholding the rights of marginalized individuals. You did not. I took that chance to ensure we no longer have a leader inciting violence against groups like the Proud Boys. You did not.
Whether you’re a fervent MAGA supporter or someone who believes in “policies over character,” you are still complicit in perpetuating hate, inequality, and racial violence. You are responsible for ignoring the children Trump placed in cages, the Muslim and Syrian refugees he turned away, and the transgender individuals he barred from military service. You are culpable when you remain silent about a president who has incited hate crimes against Asian-Americans through derogatory rhetoric while countless lives are lost due to his negligence.
None of these transgressions are justifiable. Neither is the complacency shown toward a leader responsible for them.
As a queer and bisexual mother, I have witnessed firsthand the concerns of loved ones regarding Trump’s harmful policies toward the LGBTQIA community. I have implored them to recognize the racism he endorses and the necessity of supporting the Black Lives Matter movement. I have urged them to consider the impact of their votes on those whose livelihoods Trump jeopardizes. Yet, despite all evidence, they still chose to vote for him.
In September, FBI Director Christopher Wray confirmed that white supremacists represent the most significant domestic terrorism threat our nation faces. This means that over 72 million Americans have expressed unwavering support for the largest group of domestic terrorists we have seen in modern history. Regardless of your personal opposition to such abhorrent ideologies, your vote for Donald Trump perpetuates their existence.
If you doubt the validity of my points regarding Trump and his supporters, consider the insights of Dr. Robert Jay Lifton, a noted psychohistorian who has called on the American Psychiatric Association to address the mental health aspects of our former president. He stated, “Nobody can fully explain Republican supporters… There is a base of white supremacy, and while not all followers are white supremacists, they constitute a dominant group in his base that accepts his policies without complaint.” He further highlights a cult-like dynamic in Trump’s relationship with his followers, indicating that many have surrendered their lives and beliefs to him.
As such, you are unwitting participants in the MAGA cult. Whether you acknowledge it or not, you are tied to Trump in ways that are deeply troubling. And the harsh reality is that he doesn’t care about you. He never did. He cares only for his image, his wealth, and his power.
So, with as much kindness as I can muster, I urge you to adjust your perspective and brace yourself for a Biden presidency. There is no truth to Trump’s claims of winning. Cease donating to a man who has made it clear that he is using your contributions to pay off his debts. Take a break from Fox News and engage with other perspectives, as your current views may resemble those of Sean Hannity (and not in a good way). Disconnect from any QAnon groups, as they are deeply troubling. And please, deactivate your Parler account—it’s a mess.
Instead, take this time to reflect on your racial biases, your self-serving political beliefs, your acceptance of bigotry in leadership, and your distrust of media that reports the truth about our soon-to-be former president. Moreover, consider how you can maintain loving relationships with individuals who are not white and straight, even after voting against their rights to live freely and safely.
All of us who voted for Biden need you to confront these uncomfortable truths before you embark on a misguided defense of Trump as a refreshing alternative to traditional politicians. He is simply another self-serving politician who has exploited his presidency to benefit himself and his allies while spreading countless lies.
And do not expect us to join in any “Kumbaya” moment, singing praises for one another regardless of voting choices. Many of us, whose rights and safety you chose to prioritize over your own interests, won’t be participating. Instead, we ask that you push through your discomfort, reflect on your actions, and most importantly, question your motivations.
In case you’re still wondering, there is absolutely nothing to debate here. Human rights are not up for discussion. They never have been, and they never will be, regardless of what a cult leader-in-the-making like Trump may assert.
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Summary:
In this message to Trump supporters, the author discusses the parallels between political allegiance and cult membership, emphasizing the complicity in perpetuating racism and bigotry. The article critiques the decision to support Trump, highlighting the societal implications of such votes and calling for reflection on personal biases and the broader impact of political choices on marginalized communities. It encourages readers to confront uncomfortable truths regarding their actions and decisions.
Keyphrase: Trump Supporters and Cult Behavior
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