This Is a Cult: MAGAt, Authoritarianism, and the Death of American Democracy
They’ll call it politics. They’ll call it patriotism. But what we’re witnessing is a full-blown cult—and pretending it’s anything less is how we got here in the first place.
The MAGAt movement is not just a political ideology. It’s a high-control group built around blind loyalty, manipulation, and fear. It meets every definition of a cult—and its rise has ushered us into an authoritarian state dressed up as a democracy.
Let’s break this down.
Extreme Devotion to a Leader or Ideology
Cults almost always center around a charismatic leader portrayed as infallible. Enter Donald J. Trump. Despite felony indictments, ethical violations, sexual assault verdicts, and openly racist rhetoric, his followers defend him as though he is a divine figure. He claims he alone can “fix” everything. They believe it. They worship him—not policy, not principle—him.
This is not politics. This is religious-level fanaticism. And that’s by design.
Unusual or Novel Beliefs
From QAnon conspiracies to the “stolen election” narrative, MAGAt ideology thrives on the absurd. Followers genuinely believe Trump is fighting a global cabal of Satan-worshipping elites or that JFK Jr. will return to help him. They spread misinformation with fervor and are impervious to facts.
It’s not that they don’t know better—it’s that they refuse to. The lie is part of the initiation.
Manipulative and Controlling Tactics
The MAGAt machine excels at psychological manipulation. Think of the rallies: choreographed chants, merchandise, emotional highs. It’s love bombing with flags. They isolate followers from dissenting media, calling anything outside of MAGA-approved channels “fake news.” This isn’t just preference—it’s conditioning.
Those who speak out are “traitors.” Even family and friends. You either conform or you’re cast out.
High Levels of Commitment
MAGAt members don’t just vote—they donate, attend rallies in droves, attack the Capitol, and now, they’re running for office under the same ideology. Some have lost jobs, homes, even their lives (see: January 6th) in service to the cult. That level of devotion isn’t normal.
It’s radicalization. And it’s spreading.
Isolation from the Outside World
Many MAGA followers live in an echo chamber—Fox News, Truth Social, far-right podcasts. Their world is carefully curated to reinforce their beliefs and demonize dissent. They are taught to distrust schools, libraries, journalists, scientists, and anyone outside the MAGAt bubble.
This isn’t a political movement—it’s an alternate reality.
Secretive Practices
Project 2025 is no longer a plan—it’s fully in motion.
Under Trump’s second administration, Republicans now hold the House and Senate and are actively implementing the Heritage Foundation’s blueprint to dismantle the federal government, erase civil rights, roll back protections for women, queer folks, immigrants, and anyone who isn’t aligned with white Christian nationalism.
Most people have no idea it’s even happening. That’s exactly how they designed it.
Potential for Harm
This cult has already harmed millions. Families broken. Lives lost to preventable COVID deaths. Black and brown communities demonized and attacked. Women stripped of reproductive rights. Insurrectionists praised as “patriots.” And we’re only scratching the surface.
They don’t want democracy. They want obedience.
Let’s be honest: We are already living in an authoritarian state.
When one man can defy the Supreme Court, evade justice, and still control all three branches of government through fear and cultish loyalty, democracy isn’t just under threat—it’s on life support.
And yet, the cult grows. Because we let it.
Call to Action:
If you’re reading this, it’s not too late—but it’s damn close.
We need truth-tellers. We need disrupters. We need people who will not go quietly.
Don’t normalize this. Don’t “wait and see.”
Talk to your people. Get loud at your school boards, city councils, and statehouses. Learn about Project 2025. Organize. Protest. Vote like your life depends on it—because for many of us, it already has.
We don’t need more political theater.
We need resistance.
Let the cult have their loyalty.
We’ll take our liberation.