The Cult of Trump

A Leading Cult Expert Explains How the President Uses Mind Control

By: Steven Hassan

Narrated by: Steven Hassan

*As featured in the streaming documentary #UNTRUTH—now with a new foreword by George Conway and an afterword by the author*

A masterful and eye-opening examination of Trump and the coercive control tactics he uses to build a fanatical devotion in his supporters written by “an authority on breaking away from cults…an argument that…bears consideration as the next election cycle heats up” (Kirkus Reviews).

Since the 2016 election, Donald Trump’s behavior has become both more disturbing and yet increasingly familiar. He relies on phrases like, “fake news,” “build the wall,” and continues to spread the divisive mentality of us-vs.-them. He lies constantly, has no conscience, never admits when he is wrong, and projects all of his shortcomings on to others. He has become more authoritarian, more outrageous, and yet many of his followers remain blindly devoted. Scott Adams, the creator of Dilbert and a major Trump supporter, calls him one of the most persuasive people living. His need to squash alternate information and his insistence of constant ego stroking are all characteristics of other famous leaders—cult leaders.

In The Cult of Trump, mind control and licensed mental health expert Steven Hassan draws parallels between our current president and people like Jim Jones, David Koresh, Ron Hubbard, and Sun Myung Moon, arguing that this presidency is in many ways like a destructive cult. He specifically details the ways in which people are influenced through an array of social psychology methods and how they become fiercely loyal and obedient. Hassan was a former “Moonie” himself, and he presents a “thoughtful and well-researched analysis of some of the most puzzling aspects of the current presidency, including the remarkable passivity of fellow Republicans [and] the gross pandering of many members of the press” (Thomas G. Gutheil, MD and professor of psychiatry, Harvard Medical School).

The Cult of Trump is an accessible and in-depth analysis of the president, showing that under the right circumstances, even sane, rational, well-adjusted people can be persuaded to believe the most outrageous ideas. “This book is a must for anyone who wants to understand the current political climate” (Judith Stevens-Long, PhD and author of Living Well, Dying Well).

I about cults in general and and how Trump fits

(As posted in GoodReads)
The title certainly supports my confirmation bias on the subject, but truly, the book is not entirely about Trump and his despicable traits; it's equally about cults and how their defined and what qualifies them as a group, as well. The fact that Trump and his supporters FIT into groups that qualifies as a cult in this description is only a part. But yeah, that's part of my own confirmation bias…
Lately I have read or heard a fair amount about cults and the "bite model". That's partly because I subscribe to several YouTube channels that are resistant to religious cults in particular, but it's interesting to see the phenomenon used to describe something OTHER than a religion. I guess that I become somewhat opinionated about groups that appear to me to actually BE cultlike, both religious and political. He discusses the actual features that indicate the group of Trump's lackeys – that is believers and fans – truly describe a cult. In general, though, the book seems to be more mainstream than just "Trump hating", because it actually does describe more than that.

A guide to understanding Donald Trump and MAGA

This book was very engaging as well as informative about how group think comes about. It explains how our minds work and what is needed to make informed decisions. This is an important book for those trying to figure out how to navigate the world of Trump.

illuminating

the fact that Steven foretold what Donald Trump would do if it reelected years before it happened should've a warning for all of us.

A MUST read

All I know is I can only hope/imagine the next book he will have to write (PLEASE) after the next 4 years

Confirmation

As I suspected, we’re living in the Cult of Trump. Much needed info to help others understand what just happened with Trump.