City Libraries, City of Gold Coast

The cult of Trump, Steven Hassan

eng

Includes bibliographical references and index

illustrations

index present

non fiction

The cult of Trump

bibliography

Steven Hassan

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. 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

Introduction -- What is a cult? -- The making of a cult leader -- The cult leader profile -- America, a country wired for manipulation -- The persuasiveness of Trump -- Manipulation of the media -- The influencers -- Trump's followers -- How to undo mind control -- The future

Cult of Trump, a leading cult expert explains how the President uses mind control