Cult: “A cult is a social group that is defined by its unusual religious, spiritual, or philosophical beliefs, or by its common interest in a particular personality, object or goal.”

Trump’s followers are not American citizens; they are members of a cult. The above definition accurately defines the insane actions of the men and women who attend his hate rallies. Trump is the “personality,” and their “religious” or “philosophical beliefs are extreme nationalism;” a country ruled by an autocratic fascist.

A cult leader can do no wrong; the law does not apply to them. A cult leader cannot tell a lie; everything they say is coming from god. A cult leader is god. This is the attitude displayed by Trump’s supporters. No one could be that stupid, but it appears that they are.

Everything about Trump; his past and present; is built on lies. His need to receive the adulation and loyalty from his supporters are the most important things in his life, with the exception of money. As was the rest of his life, his followers who attend his hate rallies have been fooled by his lies and deceptive misdirection.

Trump has no talents, no abilities, no education, and an extremely low level of intelligence. To believe otherwise places that individual in a world of fantasy and illusion. He is completely unfit to wear the label of President of the United States.

The final truth. Members of a cult choose to believe lies and ill-conceived ideas. Trump is not clever enough to con millions of Americans. They were and remain desperate for a leader who expresses and shares their beliefs in white supremacy, xenophobia, Islamophobia, homophobia, and that the purpose of a woman is to be subservient to the wishes and physical needs of men.

The greatest misconception is that cult leaders are enigmatic; able to convince anyone who will listen that their image of a fulfilling life is the only way to reach a grand after-life without offering tangible evidence. Reality is that members of cults are generally unhappy men and women who are looking for a remedy; anything which will offer hope and some form of belonging. A reason to live, and a reason to believe that life after death is glorious dominates their actions or inaction.

Trump’s followers refuse to accept the inevitable changes in America. Pure whites are dying every day and diversity is growing more quickly than any sociologist could have predicted. We are rapidly becoming a more colorful and beautiful nation. Trump’s cult refuses to accept this fact.

“The Truth Lives Here”

Op-ed by James Turnage

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