When I began writing about politics again a couple of months ago, I promised myself to take great care to explain why some people love Trump rather than to denigrate, insult or ridicule them, as I see so many people doing online.
I’ve written about the causes of Trump, the problems of rural life, the abandonment of working-class whites by government, the hatred of elites that so many people believe look down on them.
I’ve written about those things in detail, and more than once. Many so-called “progressives” have accused me of being too sympathetic to Donald Trump’s followers.
Just a few weeks ago, I wrote that Donald Trump was not a cult leader and that it was simplistic to see him in that way.
This week, after reading the thoughtful and thorough writings of Cult Scholars Joe Navarro and Janja Lalich, two of the leading cult experts in America, and a half dozen others, I was somewhat surprised and shaken to see that Donald Trump matched every single known and studied characteristic of a Cult Leader.
Trump’s followers are more diverse and complex than any single label can cover. I can’t say that all of his followers are members of a cult. But there is this nagging feeling of cultism that shadows his campaign and his presidency.
Still, the refusal of so many of his supporters to acknowledge his damage to our democracy or his lies or moral failings also met every single criterion of a cult follower.
People in cults fiercely defend their leaders and can brook no criticism of them. They lash out, as their leaders do, at any challenge or accusations made against them.
So I wrote about the Cult Leader idea in a piece published yesterday entitled “One Man’s Truth: Understanding The Cult Of Trump.” I imagined that it would provoke a strong response, pro, and con, and I was right about that.
I researched the piece carefully and wrote it reluctantly. I don’t want to lump every Trump supporter under one label, they are not all one thing.
But Trump has taken his narcissism, cruelty, racism, and dishonesty too far for him or his followers to be let off the hook and go unchallenged. One way or another, his followers will have to take some responsibility for the damage he is causing our democracy, which is already severe.
I understand the need for Trump voters to be treated with dignity and respect. But so does everyone else.
I have a good number of Trump supporters on my blog still, and they are welcome. But I have to say, communicating with Trump supporters civilly and thoughtfully has become impossible in recent months as the election gets closer.
When I write about him, insults and outrage just fly. There is no actual dialogue.
One man said my column was “bs” and disappeared. I get death threats often; I had to take one to the police. The Trump messengers are invariably short, angry, or insulting like Barbara’s down below.
This hostility occurs on both sides, it is a cancer.
I can’t recall any Trump supporters hanging around long enough to have a conversation, which many of my readers and I would love to do.
I have had several civil e-mail conversations with my readers about Trump, but they are very few and far between. I do not insult people who disagree with me, nor do I hate them or President Trump.
I don’t belong to the left or the right; I am my own person with my own ideas.
I see that idea of independent thought is getting lost. The American mind is being choked to death by labels.
I live in the birthplace of democracy, yet more and more people conflate disagreement with hate or treason. One Trump supporter told me my writing did not belong on Facebook or my blog or anywhere on the Internet because I was critical of how Donald Trump conducted his campaign and his presidency.
I sometimes feel like a freak, attached to the idea of democracy. Is that a dinosaur value now?
In raging at me for raising the question of a Trump cult, his supporters are almost invariably telling me that I am right to some degree; many respond in precisely the way cult members respond to criticisms of their leaders.
Rational people can disagree in rational and civil ways.
Historically, politicians are not shown absolute devotion – they are held accountable for what they do. That is a prized American tradition. Trump is trying to break it. He has no love to give all of his people, only those who admire him and do what they are told.
Cult leaders are not accountable and cannot be questioned; the very central idea of a cult is that the leader is perfect and beyond challenge or questioning.
I found the following message on my blog post this morning. It was from Barbara H., and I thought it was an appropriate message to talk about the difficulties of communicating with the President’s supporters.
Note her outrage and personalization of me and my column, even to throwing in our sheep:
“I am by no means a cult member, and I am a good person. You are guilty of calling people you don’t even know vile names. You say in one cheek, everyone has a right to vote for their choice, then you tear that person down and anyone who happens to think he is the only choice considering the obvious non-choice in Joe Biden. You say you don’t hate him, but hate drips out of each word you speak. You take the word of an ‘unknown cousin’ who just very recently came out of the woodwork to try and trash him. She herself said she had no one or nothing to back up her fake trash. I fear for our country more than you do, and I fear for every person that lives here for what the future holds. As far as the sheep on your blog, I feel nothing but pity.” – Barbara H.
I think it’s important to deconstruct this message as it reveals the communications disaster that our increasingly partisan and divided country suffers from.
First off, I was struck by her sensitivity and her assumption that I thought badly of her. I assume that Barbara is a good person, but of course, I don’t know, since I’ve never met her or spoken with her. I have no reason to think she is not a good person.
Like many of her fellow Trump followers, I noticed that she doesn’t respond to any of the issues I raised or what the piece is about. She went immediately to rage and insult.
She made no effort to communicate her complaints to me or ask me to explain what I wrote, or even ask me to listen to her point of view, which I would gladly have done.
I called no one “vile” names, or any names at all, certainly not her. There is nothing in my column that is vile or that questions her or anyone else’s right to vote the way they want.
Why can’t I just be wrong? Must I be a hateful sheep abuser as well?
She assumes I must hate Donald Trump because I criticize him; this in itself is deeply offensive to her and must therefore be hateful.
I see this as a projection of Mr. Trump himself. If anything characterizes his presidency, it is the hatred he shows for anyone who disagrees with him.
Barbara is putting this on me because it is what she has come to see is a dominant characteristic of Donald Trump – spreading anger and hatred. People have been watching him for four years now.
They’ve learned a lot.
I have no idea what cousin she is speaking of; there is none mentioned in my piece. Everybody fears our country on both sides of this bitter chasm; it is not unique to the left or the right.
Why do we need to compete with one another when it comes to caring about our country?
I can almost hear Barbara saying that Joe Biden is a socialist pawn and doesn’t wish to live in a socialist country. Even though Joe Biden is not a socialist or even close, I hear this every day in almost every complaint I hear from a Donald Trump follower.
Big Lies Matter.
Finally, she says she feels nothing but pity for my sheep, which left me even more bewildered.
(Note, my readers were more alert than I was. The “cousin” is almost certainly Mary Trump, who wrote her book, and the sheep reference is to the people to won’t vote for Trump and won’t support him. Can’t imagine why I didn’t get that.)
Maria’s sheep are among the luckiest animals on the earth. I can’t imagine what she is talking about, or what our sheep have to do with the presidential election.
Because this message is so typical of those I receive, I want to talk about it. All cults, I read, have something in common. They strip away the freedom of thought and demand that followers align themselves totally with the leader’s thoughts.
Steven Hassan, a former member of Sun Myung Moon’s Unification Church, now a cult deprogrammer, argues in his book ‘The Cult Of Trump,” that Trump is, in fact, a cult leader whose followers – politicians, bureaucrats, and citizens – are held captive to his charisma and rage.
Trump is, says Hassan, a leader whose powerful manipulative skills help him control seemingly independent thinkers’ behavior, from U.S. Senators to industrial workers.
(I’m not sure I buy that; politicians act out of their own best interests, they don’t need to be manipulated.)
Hasson warns of the lessons of cults and what to watch out for in leaders: supreme confidence, a grandiose nature, demands for absolute loyalty, and chaotic and complex web of simplistic and false facts and claims penchant for sowing fear.
Barbara seems convinced that our very country is in peril if Donald Trump is not re-elected. I can’t quite see Joe Biden as a danger to democracy.
That this is the core argument of Trump himself, and almost no other credible person.
Through most of our history, our tradition has been to accept losing as well as winning and transferring power peacefully.
Cults can’t do that. Their tradition is worship and survival. And Trump doesn’t share that value.
Barbara assumes that I must hate Trump – no other motive is possible to her – and she must see my opinions as vile and unacceptable.
In addition to reading about cult leaders, I’ve been reading about the traits of cult members.
Some of their most common characteristics: They swear total allegiance to an all-powerful leader who they often believe has been chosen by God to save them.
Rational or independent thought is discouraged or forbidden.
The cult leader makes social, political, and life decisions for the members.
Cults exist only for their own material survival and make false promises to work to improve society. Cult members are isolated from the outside world or any kind of diverse or independent media; they only follow what they are told to follow and read what is “safe” to read.
Cults are attractive to discontented people because they promote an illusion of comfort and righteousness.
Cults satisfy the very human desire for absolute answers and black-and-white solutions to difficult problems. People with low-self esteem or who feel ridiculed or looked down upon are most likely to be drawn to a cult environment.
Cults almost universally maintain their power by promoting an “us versus them” mentality and being contemptuous, even pitying, of people outside their communities.
Cult leaders are masters of self-promotion, mind control, and manipulation. They ask everything of their followers but give them little in return.
There is frequently an aura of potential violence around cults; they thrive on chaos and distraction to keep from being examined too carefully or investigated.
It’s dangerous to put millions of people into any one simple category. Richard Nixon and Joe McCarthy had loyal followers, but that doesn’t make them or their followers a cult.
Liberals and progressives had somehow made half the country feel they hold them in contempt, treat them and their ideas with scorn, offer them no dignity.
As Joe Biden seems to have learned, but many liberals have not, you do not change people’s minds by attacking them or their beliefs.
You only force them to lock down and get their wagons into a circle.
There are so many forces at work that have frightened millions of Americans in 2020 – 911, Islamic extremism, immigrants, the ever-changing definition of work, the loss of Main Streets and factories, the collapse of rural economies and communities.
Tens of millions of people feel uprooted, threatened, and disenchanted with government. And their complaints about elitism are often true – they are too often looked down upon.
But Donald Trump has gone too far for him or his followers to expect never to be challenged for their uncritical support of outrageous and almost treasonous behavior.
Our country is in some peril, and the people who love Trump are drawing the same scrutiny and grievance that they have brought to our political system.
I feel surprisingly clear that Donald Trump wants to be a cult leader and behaves like one. His campaign is off to a powerful and dangerous start.
But it’s not that simple.
I think back to that Trump Cabinet meeting in 2017 when he told his appointees to shower him with fawning accolades at the beginning of every meeting.
Does that mean his Cabinet is part of a cult? I’m not sure; that seems to go too far for me. But I do know that this is how Josef Stalin insisted every member of the Politburo in Moscow begin their meetings with him.
Was Stalin a Cult Leader or a brutal dictator? And does it really matter? One is as bad as the other. It is the job now of every journalist and patriot and free thinker to ask the question.
I’m sad, Barbara, to have sparked so much rage and hatred. But I can’t apologize to you for writing my column. It is still a free country.
I don’t know you well enough to hate you. Before you go after my dogs, I should say my beloved Zinnia, a Yellow Lab, hates no one. And I think she has a happy life.
All I can say is thank you. Thank you for your fairness, your absence of judgment, and the concise description of a cult leader and cult follower. I, too, have never had a question answered by a Trump follower and have had to accept they don’t appear to have answers. The blind acceptance of this man who has proven himself to be a danger to our democracy precludes a valid answer. If a response occurs, it tends to throw blame on someone else, or another cliche is provided.
One of the best descriptions of what drives Trump’s followers is from an article I link below. From the article:
“It has been obvious ever since Trump first ran for president that many of his core supporters actually hate the people who hate Trump, more than they care about Trump or any particular action he takes, no matter how awful,” Friedman writes.
“The media feed Trump’s supporters a daily diet of how outrageous this or that Trump action is — but none of it diminishes their support,” he continues. “Because many Trump supporters are not attracted to his policies. They’re attracted to his attitude — his willingness and evident delight in skewering the people they hate and who they feel look down on them.”
https://www.rawstory.com/2020/09/heres-the-real-reason-trumps-supporters-stick-with-him-according-to-a-pulitzer-winning-columnist/
Jon, the internet is a very easy place to project feelings hidden behind the safety of a computer screen. What might not be said to one’s face seems to find it’s way with some people over the internet. That you have been threatened enough to confer with the police is an indication of how people can run amuck in the privacy of their own computer. Threats mean nothing to them obviously, anger spews out of every keyboard of those who choose it. Trump has spread anger amongst the people of the United States, he is divisive, he flings threats and frightens people into believing him. Yes, he is a colorful figure but unfortunately he is also a blatant narcissist who displays all the unfortunate characteristics of the disorder and he has no business being in the office of President. Narcissistic Personality Disorder in listed in the DSM of psychiatric illnesses and disorders.
If someone disagrees with you, be specific about what points they are disagreeing with. Instead, parroting Trump’s anger flows from those who follow him. Anger appears to be his mantra. Your response is well considered and well written. Given that I agree with your posting, I’m almost afraid to put my name to it.
Sandy Proudfoot
I doubt Barbra would care what my opinion is but maybe you will. I think you are the very best and extremely fair person I have ever read. Please keep doing what you do so well and keeping us informed in such a kind fair way. Kudos to you and Maria for the love you give to all of your animals!!!
Thank you, Kris..
Jon, the sheep thing really made me smile…… you are not watching enough Fox News …… the night time line up calls the Radical leftists ‘Sheep’…. that “they” just follow socialism, antifa, radical progressives like sheep. I don’t think Barbara was actually referring to your sheep.
The author you mentioned is exactly the person I heard on a podcast that changed my mind about not only Trump but Trumpism. I also was fascinated last year by Leah Remini TV show about “Scientology” & how she describes that as a cult & I kept seeing parallels with the anger & vitriol Scientologists treat people who leave the religion to how I see Trump supporters often react to any criticism.
I don’t know if you take requests but I have been fascinated with Fox News influence on what I see as what made Trump possible. I read a while back the Roger Ailes started Fox because he felt if Nixon had a TV station in his corner he wouldn’t have needed to resign. As I watched the impeachment, I was struck with how right he was with how Fox & Fox’s Audience, I feel got the Senate to not even hear witnesses let alone convict. Would be interested to see your outlook on how Fox created the environment in rural areas where Fox so dominates created the conditions for Trump. Cause I don’t just think it was Trump’s charisma but also the deep hatred fermented on Fox for Democrat’s, urban areas, minorities etc that Trump just instinctually stepped into.
Confirmation bias. People hold on to their pre-existing beliefs. Those beliefs become part of a person’s group identity, their tribal identity. And no one wants to get voted off the island. So it’s easier to deny the truth of any uncomfortable facts than reshape one’s entire worldview and be expelled from the tribe. So they resort to Kellyanne Conway’s “alternative facts”. Elizabeth Kolbert wrote about this in The New Yorker way back in 2017 (“Why Facts Don’t Change Our Minds”): “Providing people with accurate information doesn’t seem to help; they simply discount it. . . . [T]he entire country has been given over to a vast psychological experiment being run by either no one or by Steve Bannon.”
Actually facts did change my mind. I was appalled when Trump was elected, fear for the “loose cannon” and the potential destruction that could be caused. There is no one more surprised than myself (well, perhaps my son) that I have become a Trump supporter. Anyone who knows me well would describe me a free-thinker, one least likely to follow a crowd. I have come to support him because of his relentless pursuit of what is good for the American people. Clearly, with the diversity in Americans, nobody will agree with everything he does. However, jobs creation, reduction in spending, improvements in international relationships, etc. have shown that Trump is actively working on making a better life for Americans. I believe Mr. Trump has done more for Americans in the 45 or so months in office than Biden has done in his 47 years in politics.
Julie – I would be curious to see… the unemployment rate is twice what it was when Trump entered office – Where do you see job creation ?? This year the national debt will equal the total GDP for the first time in history – where has he reduced spending?? He has withdrawn us from TPP, WHO, Paris Climate agreement, Iran deal. The G7 members refused to come to America. The only relationships Trump has with world leaders are Putin, Kim, MBS, He is mocked throughout Europe & Americans are not allowed to travel to most of the world due to Trumps mismanagement of the Virus – So where has America improved international relations??
I am really curious to hear specific examples on my above questions & am grateful if you would respond….
I ordered Biden yard signs (which never showed up), so I guess I will have to make some. Yet, I notice my neighbors who have Biden yard signs keep them close to their homes. And my other half doesn’t want me to display political signs. It’s almost as if he and my neighbors are afraid to voice their political opinion. This election is turning into a civil war. I thought there would be problems when Obama ran because he is black, and I worried about his and his family’s safety. But I was wrong. This election is filled with hatred and violence. Death threats because you voice your opinion? No, I’m not a “sheep” nor am I a Democrat or a Republican. I’m an American. I gave Trump a chance. I thought a wall should have been built too. Not because all Hispanics are rapists, murderers and drug dealers. But our country simple is becoming overpopulated and we don’t have limitless natural resources. And I agree it is dangerous to have so many people crossing over into America undocumented. But I knew Americans would be paying for a wall not Mexico. I’m hardly a liberal. I don’t think anyone deserves to be shot in the back 7 times, but I also don’t approve of all these endless protests during a pandemic. Nor do I approve of destroying businesses. But I don’t think some out-of-state kid armed with a gun and shooting three protestors is a hero. He was just in my state to cause trouble.
Now is the time we all need to come together. We have 200,000 Americans dead. Don’t we have enough problems without turning on each other. Jon, I think you are a great writer. I’ve read most of your books because I like animals (sometimes better than most people). I really don’t know how you can write so elegantly yet so quickly. I did freelance writing in my 50’s and 60’s but it took me forever to write each article. So I envy you. My best wishes for your surgery and thank you for your art, your research and your kindness toward the animals in your care. And stay safe.
Jon, I can’t agree with you more. I appreciate you following up your cult editorial with this one. Your explanations are clear and expressed fairly.
My one and only different view is Trumps charisma. Maybe I’ve not been in the right place at the right time, but I have NEVER witnessed anything that looked like charisma in Trumps persona. Rage on the other hand, is obvious. I could daydream that he had charisma when in Epstein’s company, or perhaps Putin, that’s speculation. Like others, keep up the good work, you offer me thought provoking deeper thought processing. At 67 I need all that and more!
I’m sure you have read M. Scott Peck’s book The Road Less Traveled written in 1978. Life changing read for me back in 1980. He also wrote People of the Lie. I read it many years ago because I gobbled up all night of Dr. Peck’s ground-breaking books and had not thought about it until Trump came along and triggered my memory of it. Trump fits perfectly and is a “person of the Lie” personified. I highly recommend reading it.
From across the Atlantic. Truth, ethics, common decency and treating others with respect is not about being a Democrat or a Republican. They are knitted into the all-important fabric that keep societies together and is the foundation to living in dignity. Disagreement should not be considered disrespectful and different opinions are healthy. When we walk away from these basics we challenge our own existence and anyone who disagree becomes the invisible ‘enemy’.
I have followed your blogs with great interest and admiration as they fill all of the positive traits above. Sorry to hear about the death threats – just gives an idea where things are. I hope these sporadic critics will only encourage you to follow your heart. My concern has always been the “followers and enablers” – silent and vocal – from the cabinet members to the people on the street. The latest denials to Woodword’s revelations in the upcoming book is a classic example of their behavior. If they continue to bury their heads in the sand and be blind to the chaos among them, the society still need to hear the truth and thank you for making that possible.
Wow! Everything you’ve said could be said about the left as well. I’m not necessarily a Trump supporter, but not a hater. I’m educated, not crazy, just believe in the fundamental beliefs of working hard, getting ahead, being self reliant. Love your books, but not your political views, which is ok. Mostly, I’m absolutely exhausted with trying to defend myself for trying to get back to the America I grew up with. You vote, I vote. Unfortunately, I’m in California so my conservative vote means nothing, but I keep trying. Much luck to you! From, a “cult” follower and deplorable in California.
Brenda, I agree with you, although I don’t think Joe Biden works as a cult leader and his followers don’t seem to see him so slavishly as Trump’s..but there is a lot of this on both sides..
Hello Jon…
What a shame that Barbara H. was so outraged.
I have to say, the first time I read your blog, was because of the title: How not to hate Trump supporters (well that is not the exact title, but am sure you know which entry I am talking about). It was such an important piece. It really stopped me in my tracks. I am still enraged by the damage to our country, but have been able to take his nonsense and his followers in my stride.
And all the wonderful work you do with the school and retirement community…well it gives me hope again.
Thank you for all you do for others, and for the wisdom you share, and for the heart warming tales about your farm family. Keep up the good work!
Jon…
I’m sorry for your bad experience. Every social media platform should come with a Manual for the Respectful Expression of Disagreeing Opinions.
In earlier times, the telephone was an instrument for delivering prank calls or even anonymous threats. These were often the creations of bored adolescents who knew they were wrong to invade someone’s privacy and insult it with trickery or maliciousness.
So the problem is not with the media; it’s with us. And with media becoming more powerful, so is its ability to cast our hate further.
But this media also presents an opportunity for enrichment through the thoughts of others. (Such thoughts don’t mean I’m right and you’re wrong, only that there are more ways to look at an issue, and we could become wiser by considering them.) But this type of exchange best occurs in a background of common understanding. We need to remember what we Americans have in common.
I think Barbara took offense because she didn’t like the idea of belonging to a cult. Having to question what may be the truth about yourself is usually met with defense at first. Obviously you pressed some of her buttons. Made her think. Made all of us think. That’s what writers do. That’s their job. I’m sorry some take such cruel offense. Guess that’s just part of what goes along with the profession, part of the job description.
It’s a tough issue for people, I don’t know if she is a cultist or not, but it obviously made her very angry, which is, ironically, typical of cult people..
Another fine post Jon. I like many others are appalled by Trump yet I have family members who react vehemently when I oppose him and his cronies (it is a cult). Trump tells us who he is over and over again and many americans (including Barbara) have decided to ignore that fact. It is, who he is, but I will not look the other way when it comes to Trump.
Jon..I’ve often discussed the cult topic with my husband. I find your article one of the best explanations of cultism I’ve read. Thank you for going into such great detail. God bless you and Maria, your sheep, donkey and Zinnia. I apologize for not remembering your other dogs name! I look forward to and read every article you write. ✌?
Kay Dexter
I could be wrong, but I believe Barbara is referring to your blog readers as sheep, as in we will blindly follow anything you say. I too live in a rural northern N.Y. county (Jefferson), and some of our local Trump fans call the rest of us “sheeple.”. BTW, these same folks also hate Gov. Cuomo.
Yes you are right..as I realized yesterday..
This is wonderful. What I hear from many trump supporters when I ask why they support him is that he has done so much for this country. When I ask what he has done that is so good, they just kind of blubber and have no answer. I interrupt the blubbering with what I see as an easier question, “OK, I’ll make it easier for you: what has he done for you?” Whoever I’m talking to abruptly changes the subject.
All of this reminds me of something my late husband used to say, “If you really want to piss people off, ask them to think!”
Jon,
I literally woke up one morning realizing Trump was a cult leader as it was the only thing that made sense. Surprised it took me so long to realize it. I also realized that while I am not a follower of his and have been a lifelong Democrat, the way he’s gotten into my head, may be just as bad. He has taken over my thoughts and caused me to obsess over each and every lie and illegal shenanigan. I feel daily frustration at just how much he can get away with when others would be gone if they committed 1/10 of his malfeasance.
In one of Chris Cuomo’s monologues he explains the Trump phenomenon by saying that Trump’s followers know he’s a liar, a cheat and a charlatan, but they don’t care. Thinking he’s telling the truth is not how they’re brainwashed, but it’s rather the fear of socialism, anarchy and the danger to their white future. Chris’s evaluation is something to consider because is easier to take rather than thinking the 40% of his base who are our neighbors are so easily fooled. But, when I see thousands of people at his rally without masks against their own best interests, I know his followers are all in.
People who would threaten you to the point that you had to alert the police are the by-product of the constant bombardment of rhetoric from a man who was put in place by the very thing that was supposed to save us from someone like him, the Electoral College. It was put in place so the masses couldn’t elect an inferior leader. When it should have worked it didn’t.
Bottom line, I believe you are correct, as usual, in your assessment of the cult followers and their leader. I’m also sad to think that being a Trump Anti-Cultist is just as damaging to my psychological health and getting Trump to stop living in my head rent free is something I need to improve.
I love all of your thoughtful writings!
Margie Besnoff Rosenthal, ACHS class of ’65
One finds humour where one can these days. I also wondered why Barbara thought the Bedlam sheep might be suffering. Then I realized she was referring to us anti-T “sheep”. I tried to picture you with vile names dripping from your mouth (tried to remember what any of those words might have been and couldn’t come up with one as it’s not what you do) She seems to have confused you with someone else.
I missed it too Carolyn…I try not to be vile..:)
I, too, appreciate your telling of your viewpoint! Thank you for continuing to write. I also find it impossible to have a conversation with trump’s supporters, the only ones who did attempt to communicate ended up “excommunicating” me from their lives as I am firm in my beliefs and my desire for a better America.
Jon, as always, thank you for your thoughtful, nuanced, and needed analysis. I, too, am certain that Barbara is a good person.
Thanks Alissa..
You have expressed here how I have been feeling. Sometimes the division in this country can be amusing or downright funny. (Like the donkey and the elephant in the rowboat, unable to work as a team.) Yet, much of the time I feel bewildered, and frightened. I have really disliked that people on both sides show such an unwillingness to listen, as if the very act of listening is a threat to what they believe. I really dislike the name calling. I am for Biden, because I am not for Trump, but I don’t think making snide remarks and showing humiliating cartoons and photos on social media will get us anywhere. Thank you for your thoughtful writing.
Thomas Friedman point out in a policy discussion in an interview on MSNBC that Trump’s supporters hate Trump-haters more than they care about any policies and that seems accurate, to me.
Yes, I’ve written that and experienced it…
I think it can be said of many trump supporters: Methinks thou protests too much!
We need to try to communicate to those who believe in these far fetched sometimes crazy conspiracies. A few will listen. The ones who don’t, well there are many unique things at play today. It’s like they are brainwashed by what they expose themselves to.
It’s a combination of things. To name a few …
1. choosing the online articles you like in Facebook news that repeat untrue things over and over till they seem true.
2. the conspiracy news people…Alex Jones and the like …
3. the NRA spinning their own lies and mistrust
4. Fox News where truth goes to die.
5. the republican party (post tea party especially) the fear of the primary made them all radicalized and reticent to show courage in office..
6. the Russian propaganda on line, promoting hatred and division , impersonating Americans holding extreme views as legitimate
7. The economic hardships unsolved by the Obama Administration due to the uncooperative destructive republican congress blocking instead of helping.
8. And now the culmination of the misinformation. The justification in these beliefs by a president who supports the crazy.
They are hearing the same lies everywhere and feel sure it’s the truth.
I love how Bob Woodward made his book different than the rest. He made it undeniable with recorded interviews. Something like 18 sessions. People can’t say he lied or distorted the facts.
It will show those who can still be reasoned with they need to not vote for this con man.
Sadly, for now the rest are not gonna listen.
Jon…
Perhaps Trump lost sight – or never understood – what it means to be a president. But a cult leader – yes. It’s the only thing that makes sense.
The founding fathers created a government that depends on a well-informed and thoughtful citizenry. Instead, we have his followers taking irrational actions that threaten their own self-preservation (crowds? masks? hydroxychloroquine? disinfectant?).
And turning us away from science. Who remembers the dread we felt on that October day in 1957, on realizing that the USSR had put a satellite into space capable of intruding on, and threatening our helpless country in unimaginable ways?
But our call to science was answered, and thrust us to the moon. In its wake, the journey left technical spinoffs such as the miniature circuitry required for compactness in early space travel. This development led to the computers and handheld devices now part of our everyday environment.
Maybe we have forgotten. But Putin hasn’t. He named Russia’s COVID vaccine after that 1957 satellite, Sputnik.
My question would of been of Barbara, if not a cultist than perhaps a tribalist. One has a religious context, while the other more of family or cultural. Something to ponder.