Loyalty Over Logic
The Cult-like Nature of Trump's Base
In the wake of Donald Trump's triumphant return to power in the 2024 election, America finds itself at a crossroads. The era of Trumpism, far from fading, has solidified its grip on U.S. politics, blurring traditional party lines and transforming the political landscape into a high-stakes spectacle reminiscent of a cult of personality.
This article explores the unique nature of Trump's following, examining how it straddles the line between a political movement and a cult-like phenomenon. We'll delve into the implications of this shift for American democracy and its ripple effects across the globe.
The Cult of Trump: Defining the Movement
To understand Trumpism, we must first recognize its cult-like aspects. Scholars have identified several key characteristics of cult leaders, which Trump's political persona aligns with strikingly:
1. Charismatic authority
2. Narcissistic personality
3. Us-vs-them mentality
4. Rejection of criticism
5. Demand for unquestioning loyalty
6. Promise of a grand vision or solution
(Lalich and Langone, 2006)
Trump's charismatic appeal to his base is undeniable. His narcissistic tendencies are evident in his self-aggrandizing statements. The ‘Make America Great Again’ slogan epitomizes an us-vs-them mentality. His frequent attacks on critics and demands for loyalty from his allies are well-documented. Finally, his promise to ‘drain the swamp’ and solve America's problems single-handedly mirrors the grand visions often promoted by cult leaders.
This cult-like dynamic is exemplified by the 'Front Row Joes', a group of Trump superfans who follow him from rally to rally with religious zeal. As highlighted in a recent BBC Panorama documentary, one such supporter proclaimed, "If Jesus Christ got down off the cross and told me Trump is with Russia, I would tell him, 'Hold on a second, I need to check with the President if that's true.'" (BBC, 2024)
The Triumph of Trumpism
Trump's return to the presidency represents more than just a political comeback; it signifies the entrenchment of a new political reality in America. His victory in 2024, marked by increased vote shares in 90% of U.S. counties compared to 2020, demonstrates the enduring and growing appeal of his brand of populism (Riccardi, 2024).
This resurgence is all the more remarkable given the controversies that defined Trump's first term and the tumultuous period between his presidencies. The January 6th, 2021 Capitol insurrection stands out as a particularly dark chapter, where Trump supporters violently stormed the U.S. Capitol in an attempt to overturn the 2020 election results (Britannica, 2023).
Trump's presidency and post-presidency period were also marred by numerous legal challenges and scandals. These included the high-profile defamation case brought by writer E. Jean Carroll, who accused Trump of sexual assault, and the hush money case involving adult film actress Stormy Daniels (CNBC TV18, 2023).
The resilience of Trump's support base in the face of these scandals is reminiscent of how cult followers often rationalize or dismiss negative information about their leader. This unwavering faith, despite contradictory evidence, is a hallmark of cult-like movements (Hassan, 2019).
Redefining American Democracy
Trump's re-election has profound implications for the future of American democracy. His brand of politics, characterized by populist rhetoric, scepticism of traditional institutions, and a combative stance towards the media, has now received a renewed mandate from the electorate.
Significantly, the conservative think tank Heritage Foundation's Project 2025 is increasingly looking like it will be the Trump manual for his second term (Leonhardt, 2024). While Trump is maintaining a public distance from Project 2025, its proposals for sweeping changes to the federal government align closely with his previous rhetoric and policy goals.
The potential implementation of Project 2025 raises alarming parallels to how cult leaders often seek to reshape institutions to consolidate their power. The willingness of Trump's supporters to embrace such radical changes, despite potential harm to democratic norms, further underscores the cult-like nature of their devotion (Lifton, 2019).
Global Ripple Effects of Trump's Cult-like Following
While Trump wasn't the first leader to cultivate a personality cult in modern politics, his success has emboldened similar movements worldwide. Personality cults in politics are not new, with historical figures like Mao Zedong and Joseph Stalin, and more recently, leaders like Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan all cultivating strong personality cults (Pisch, 2016).
However, Trump's ability to maintain a fervent base in a long-established democracy like the United States has set a new precedent. Populist leaders in other countries have taken note of Trump's tactics, including his use of social media to bypass traditional media filters, attacks on institutions and the press, emotional appeals that prioritize feelings over facts, and cultivation of a saviour image.
The result is a global trend towards more polarized and emotionally driven politics. This shift operates on several levels:
1. Emotional resonance: Leaders focus on stirring emotions rather than presenting rational arguments.
2. Identity politics: Political affiliation becomes a core part of personal identity.
3. Information bubbles: Supporters increasingly rely on leader-approved information sources.
4. Demonization of opposition: Critics are portrayed as enemies rather than legitimate opposition.
(Mudde and Kaltwasser, 2017)
The consequences of this shift for the American public and citizens worldwide are profound, including the erosion of democratic norms, policy instability, social division, and truth decay.
Looking Ahead: The Potential Unravelling of Trumpism
As we look to the future of Trumpism as a cult-like movement, history suggests that even the most fervent political cults eventually lose their hold. The question now is not if, but when and how the spell of Trumpism might break.
The potential unravelling of Trumpism may follow patterns seen in the decline of other cult-like movements. As reality fails to match the promised utopia, cognitive dissonance among followers may reach a breaking point. The implementation of Project 2025's radical proposals could serve as this reality check, potentially causing fractures in Trump's support base (Festinger et al., 1956).
However, the deep emotional investment of Trump's followers, cultivated through years of cult-like devotion, may make this process of disillusionment particularly painful and protracted. The aftermath could see a period of political instability as former devotees grapple with their shifting worldviews.
As we move forward, the challenge for America will be to navigate the potential unravelling of Trumpism while preserving democratic norms and institutions. The story of Trump's cult-like following serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of democratic systems and the power of charismatic leadership. Understanding and addressing the psychological and sociological factors that drive such movements will be crucial for the health of American democracy in the years to come.
References:
BBC, 2024. Trump's True Believers. [TV programme] Panorama. BBC, 10 January 2024.
Britannica, 2023. January 6 U.S. Capitol Attack. [online] Available at: <https://www.britannica.com/event/January-6-U-S-Capitol-attack> [Accessed 18 November 2024].
CNBC TV18, 2023. Controversial moments from Donald Trump's political career. [online] Available at: <https://www.cnbctv18.com/photos/world/controversial-moments-from-donald-trumps-political-career-stormy-daniels-to-capitol-riots-19498202.htm> [Accessed 18 November 2024].
Festinger, L., Riecken, H. and Schachter, S., 1956. When Prophecy Fails. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press.
Hassan, S., 2019. The Cult of Trump: A Leading Cult Expert Explains How the President Uses Mind Control. New York: Free Press.
Lalich, J. and Langone, M., 2006. Take Back Your Life: Recovering from Cults and Abusive Relationships. Berkeley: Bay Tree Publishing.
Leonhardt, D., 2024. Project 2025: The Conservative Blueprint for a Trump Second Term. The New York Times, [online] 15 November. Available at: <https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/15/us/politics/project-2025-trump-second-term.html> [Accessed 18 November 2024].
Lifton, R.J., 2019. Losing Reality: On Cults, Cultism, and the Mindset of Political and Religious Zealotry. New York: The New Press.
Mudde, C. and Kaltwasser, C.R., 2017. Populism: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Pisch, A., 2016. The Personality Cult of Stalin in Soviet Posters, 1929–1953. Acton: ANU Press.
Riccardi, N., 2024. Big voter turnout this year benefited Republicans, contradicting conventional political wisdom. AP News, [online] 17 November. Available at: <https://apnews.com/article/election-2024-voter-turnout-republicans-trump-harris-7ef18c115c8e1e76210820e0146bc3a5> [Accessed 18 November 2024].