The characteristic of Trumpism that I find similar to cult-like behavior is the closed circuit, alternate news and information universe that has become such a clear subset of the overall news and information universe. Between the prodigious opinion-shaping and thought process-shaping power of talk radio and the corresponding proliferation of internet blogs masquerading as news sites, Trumpism is now its own, separate ideological force.
This has led to its own set of terms, language, thought processes and behaviors, and that's where Trumpism has similarities to a cult. This separation has become so pronounced that these people not only function within their own informational world, they are also isolated from readily-available information that might be contrary to their belief system. Any conflicting or contrary information is now, literally, dismissed as "fake news" or "TDS", relieving the Trumpster of any intellectual responsibilities to defend an idea.
Is it actually a cult? No, of course not. Are there a couple of disturbing similarities? Sure, particularly in its ideological/informational isolation, and its thinly-veiled threats of violence if challenged.
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This has led to its own set of terms, language, thought processes and behaviors, and that's where Trumpism has similarities to a cult. This separation has become so pronounced that these people not only function within their own informational world, they are also isolated from readily-available information that might be contrary to their belief system. Any conflicting or contrary information is now, literally, dismissed as "fake news" or "TDS", relieving the Trumpster of any intellectual responsibilities to defend an idea.
Is it actually a cult? No, of course not. Are there a couple of disturbing similarities? Sure, particularly in its ideological/informational isolation, and its thinly-veiled threats of violence if challenged.
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