The Cult of MAGA

[Coldwater]

Ever wonder what would happen if The People's Temple, The Branch Davidian's, or Heaven's Gate, ever gained a real foothold in US politics?

[Walleye]

1. The only thing they really love is violence

[CrispyQ]

3. I disagree. I think they're hooked on anger & violence is an outlet.

We need to find out why they're so angry.

Totally anecdotal, but the magas I know appear to be doing pretty good. They live in blue states. They have nice houses, drive nice cars, take summer & holiday vacations, a few have gone to Europe. I know they could be drowning in debt, but their lives look pretty good from the outside, & I often wonder, what are you guys so angry about? Also, I'd like to ask them, if you think republican governance is so fucking great why do you live in a blue state? Why not move to Missouri? Alabama? Florida?

At this point you know what they should be angry about? That they took so goddamned long to wake the fuck up. That they were so insecure they fell for almost four decades of republican fed bullshit. That they look like dupes & fools. That their fragile egos brought this destruction upon all of us.

[Walleye]

4. I think the anger is just a logical result of the hatred

They hate, they hate a lot. They don’t know why, but hatred is not the same as anger. Anger implies that they want something to change. Hatred they will never get rid of until they deal with it. there is no way we can cure them of this disease. They have to do it themselves and if this is the way they want to live their lives I don’t know. I guess they just love their hatred.

[CrispyQ]

5. Maybe so. Whatever their problem, they are deeply flawed & don't want to face it or fix it. -nt

[PatSeg]

8. A good education in their early years

could have made a big difference for so many of them. It is rather difficult to change patterns that took decades to create by friends and family who were essentially the same.

[IbogaProject]

9. But those are standard GOP voters, are they flying the Chump flags?

They might enjoy posting memes but I'm guessing they aren't flying that flag in public.

[CrispyQ]

12. You're right. Only a few of them are public trumpers, but I no longer distinguish between maga & old time repubs.

One may be more public, but the other voted for him in 2024 despite J6, the stolen documents, & the 34 felony convictions. That should have been enough for anyone to say, "I can't vote for this guy," not to mention all the pervy stuff. Republican leaders are cult or cowards. Voters who still support the party are cult. Maybe the spell is breaking. Let's hope so.

[progressoid]

11. IMHO...

I have met the spectrum of Trumpers. From the bottom to the upper class. They all have their reasons.

IMHO, a lot of those 30ish percent that still support him, can't or won't admit they've been bamboozled. They have invested so much time (and sometimes money) into this that admitting that their mistake would be emotionally devastating.

[Deep State Witch]

2. This is more than a bunch of fringe believers.

A cult of personality is a system where a leader is glorified through propaganda, art, and media to appear superhuman, demanding unquestioning loyalty and creating a quasi-religious devotion, often used by authoritarian rulers (like Stalin, Hitler, Kim Jong-Un) to consolidate power, legitimize rule, and suppress dissent by making the leader seem infallible and essential. These cults foster deep, sometimes irrational, allegiance by presenting the leader as a god-like, wise, and courageous figure, turning followers into zealous defenders of the individual above policies or party.
Key Characteristics & Techniques:
Glorification: Portraying the leader as wise, courageous, infallible, and even divine through mass media.
Propaganda: Extensive use of media (posters, rallies, social media) to shape an idealized public image.
Uncritical Loyalty: Demanding devotion to the person, not just the ideology, often punishing dissenters.
Symbolism & Rituals: Creating art, ceremonies, and symbols that reinforce the leader's status.
Sacralization: Endowing the leader with a "sacral aura" or "sacred" qualities, making them seem beyond reproach.
Functions & Dangers:
Power Consolidation: Enforces control and legitimizes the regime's authority.
Suppression of Dissent: Makes criticism seem like betrayal, silencing opposition.
Psychological Control: Offers followers a sense of purpose, stability, and belonging.
Authoritarian Tool: A strategic way for despots to maintain absolute power, as seen in North Korea, Nazi Germany, and the Soviet Union.
Examples:
Joseph Stalin & Mao Zedong: Used extensive state media and imagery to create god-like figures.
Kim Jong-Un (North Korea): Extreme, pervasive cult surrounding the ruling family, demanding near-religious reverence.
Benito Mussolini (Italy): Created a powerful image as the nation's strongman.

[usonian]

6. Don't forget, resentment was propagandized for many years by media.

And bots lately.

Powered by prejudice.

[PatSeg]

7. And such people

have been with us always. They just didn't have a national leader before, a leader who validated their prejudices and ignorance. Trump gave them permission to be who they really are and to wage war on those they perceive as "oppressors".

Without such people, there would be no Trump regime.

[SergeStorms]

10. Spot on definition.....

of the Trump cult. Nothing is ever their own fault.

[NBachers]

13. We can go back to any time or place in human history and find them.