The Cult Framework in Politics: How Trump’s Tactics Mirror Cults Like Nxivm

6 min readDec 24, 2024

Alright, folks, let’s cut the crap and talk about the elephant in the room: cults and politics. They’re basically the same racket. The only difference? One takes your money and your soul in a secret ceremony, and the other does it on national TV. And Trump? He’s playing this cult-leader gig like it’s his second job.

1. The Leader as the Sole Source of Truth

In Nxivm, Keith Raniere was “Vanguard,” the enlightened guru. For Trump, he’s “The Chosen One,” the only guy who can save America (or so he’d like you to think). Same con, different marketing.

How It Works:

Reality Distortion: Raniere told his followers that branding was empowering — because nothing says empowerment like a hot iron to the flesh. Trump? He convinces people the 2020 election was stolen despite every shred of evidence saying otherwise. Reality is just a suggestion to these guys.
Loyalty Through Fear: Cult leaders need enemies to survive. Raniere had his “suppressives,” and Trump has his “radical leftists,” immigrants, and anyone who reads books. The playbook is simple: make your followers scared of the world, then sell yourself as the only solution.

2. Exploiting Human Vulnerability

Cults and Trump’s movement both prey on the same thing: people’s insecurities. It’s a genius move — if you don’t care about being a decent human being.

Examples:

Cognitive Dissonance: Nxivm followers ignored the red flags because admitting they were duped was too painful. Trump’s supporters do the same. “Sure, he’s lied 30,000 times, but he’s fighting for ME.” Right.
Trauma Bonding: Trump oscillates between savior and fearmonger: “I’ll protect you from the bad guys, but they’re coming for you any minute now!” It’s like a bad soap opera where the hero keeps creating the drama he claims to solve.

3. Us vs. Them Dynamics

Ah, the classic “us vs. them” game. Cults, dictators, and middle school bullies all thrive on this one.

Tactics in Action:

Social Pressure: In Nxivm, questioning Raniere got you ostracized. In Trump world, question him and suddenly you’re a “RINO” or part of the “deep state.” That’ll teach you to think for yourself.
Demonizing Dissent: Critics of Raniere were “suppressives.” Trump calls them “fake news” or “traitors.” Same tactic, different decade. It’s all about cutting people off from other opinions, so they’re stuck in your echo chamber of BS.

4. Rituals and Repetition

You think cults have weird rituals? Have you seen a Trump rally? Same energy, but with more flags.

Why It Works:

Emotional Engagement: Nxivm had their sashes and chants. Trump has MAGA hats and “Lock her up!” The goal? Tap into your emotions — anger, pride, fear — and keep you hooked.
Symbolism: Nxivm branded their followers with Raniere’s initials. Trump’s crowd doesn’t need hot irons — a MAGA hat or a yard sign does the trick. It’s all about showing the world, “I’m in the club.”

5. Scaling Manipulation Through Media

Traditional cults control information through isolation. Trump? He’s figured out how to scale it to millions using Twitter and cable news. Genius, if terrifying.

The Parallel:

Controlled Information: Nxivm fed followers only Raniere-approved material. Trump’s echo chamber runs on Fox News and fringe websites, where alternative viewpoints are dismissed as lies.
Reinforcing the Narrative: Trump’s constant media presence keeps the “us vs. them” story alive, ensuring his followers stay in the bubble.

6. Philosophical Manipulation: Redefining Morality

Cults and Trump’s movement don’t play by normal moral rules. They just rewrite the damn book.

In Practice:

Nxivm: Branding was “growth.” Submission was “empowerment.” Total mind-twisting BS.
Trump: Separating families at the border? “Patriotism.” Undermining democracy? “Protecting freedom.” It’s all about spinning bad behavior into something noble.

Broader Implications: Cult Tactics on a National Scale

Trump isn’t just running a cult; he’s scaling the playbook to millions. And that’s what makes it dangerous.

Key Concerns:

Undermining Institutions: By attacking the press, the courts, and democracy itself, Trump erodes trust in the very systems that keep power in check.
Normalizing Extremism: His rhetoric emboldens fringe groups and makes what used to be unthinkable seem like “just politics.”
Deepening Polarization: The “us vs. them” mentality has turned political debates into verbal cage matches. Good luck solving problems in that environment.

What Can Be Done?

Countering these tactics requires brains and guts. Here’s where we start:

Media Literacy: Teach people to spot propaganda and think critically. If it sounds too good (or bad) to be true, it probably is.
Community Building: Give people a sense of belonging that doesn’t rely on fear or blind loyalty.
Accountability: Hold leaders accountable for their lies and abuses. Nobody’s above the law, no matter how many golf courses they own.

Conclusion

The parallels between cults and Trump’s leadership are undeniable. Both prey on insecurities, rewrite reality, and demand blind loyalty. Recognizing these tactics is step one. Step two? Calling them out and refusing to play along. Because the only thing worse than a cult is a cult with nuclear codes. Let’s not let that happen, shall we?

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