• Absolute authoritarianism 

“. . . you’re not going to be a dictator; are you? I said, no, no, no, other than Day 1.      [https://www.washingtonpost.com/elections/2023/12/06/trump-comments-dictator-campaign-president-2024/]

As Ruth Ghiat argues in her book Strongmen, dictators learn the authoritarian skills of governing from each other:

The leader’s displays of machismo and his kinship with other male leaders are not just bluster, but a way of exercising power at home and conducting foreign policy. Virility enables corruption, projecting the idea that the Strongman is above laws that weaker individuals must follow. It translates into state policies that target women and LGBTQ+ populations, who are as much the Strongman’s enemies as civil prosecutors or the press. (pp. 7-8)

Apparently this image of a man controlling other men and women appeals to cult members. They feel secure in the leadership of a virile, powerful figure. They believe the former President will exercise the same control of people he showed on “The Apprentice,” and that appeals to their sense of order.  “Democracy” almost seems like a weak form of government, where bureaucrats can control people by their secret maneuvers. The Strongman offers security that the enemies of the people will be defeated.

• Without accountability  “When reporters asked Trump whether any governor agreed that he had total authority to countermand their orders, he answered: “If I happen to be president and I see somebody who’s doing well and beating me very badly, I say go down and indict them. Mostly, that would be – you know, they would be out of business.” https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/11/05/trump-revenge-second-term/

The former President has shown ruthless temperament, which he promises will be “your retribution.” In the quotation above he projects his power over governors who resist him, as they did during the pandemic in New York, California, Michigan, North Carolina and Pennsylvania. Under a new Trump administration, the powers of governors could be nullified by the President’s “Emergency Powers.” This wielding of power against his opposition appeals to those who feel liberals and the “Deep State” are blocking reform. They don’t care how the President nullifies them; they just want their policies executed. The ends justify the means.

• Lack of meaningful financial disclosure regarding budget. Regarding his business disclosures, “I have a clause in there [in real estate declarations] that says, ‘Don’t believe the statement. Go out and do your own work.’ This statement is ‘worthless.’ It means nothing,” Trump testified. Given the disclaimer, he said, “you’re supposed to pay no credence to what we say whatsoever.” http://apnews.com/article/trump-new-york-civil-lawsuit-fraud-88379aaf16849c255365ff871384ff7e

Trump’s supporters hold him blameless for profiting from the government, something that would be roundly condemned for previous presidents. He has profited richly from foreign states-men /-women staying at his hotels in Washington, New Jersey and Mara Largo. While this is defined as “corruption” in most cases, Trump’s supporters believe his refusal to draw a salary ($400.000) balances the fact that he has profited in billions while President.

 The Trump Hotel in DC defied all expectations to quickly turn a profit despite charging well above most other DC hotels. People who wished to influence the president—lobbyists, politicians, foreign and state governments—paid a premium to see and be seen at the Trump Hotel, rubbing elbows with the president and his closest advisers. https://www.citizensforethics.org/reports-investigations/crew-investigations/trump-reported-making-more-than-1-6-billion-while-president/

• Unreasonable fears about the outside world that often involve evil conspiracies and persecutions.  Regarding immigrants: “We know they come from mental institutions and insane asylums. We know they’re terrorists. Nobody has ever seen anything like we’re witnessing right now. It is a very sad thing for our country. It’s poisoning the blood of our country. It’s so bad, and people are coming in with disease. People are coming in with every possible thing that you could have.” https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/05/us/politics/trump-immigration-rhetoric.html

The demonizing of immigrants has been the core of Donald Trump’s appeal. It is not merely the regulation of immigration that fuels political controversy, but the treatment of illegals and legals alike.  Many of the disciples of the former President approved of his confining immigrants in cages and separating them from their children, because immigrants were dehumanized during his administration. They were a threat to the American way of life.

The website www.verywellmind.com displays numerous characteristics of a cult, twelve in total, too many for mention here. They show a pattern of ruthless authority and emotional appeal enhancing the charismatic and uncompromising leader.

Finally, a reflection on the loyalty of people of faith

As a former Evangelical Christian, I understand how faith can make a follower tenaciously loyal. Faith may demand we persevere with our devotion despite the circumstances. It was faith that allowed the early Christians to remain loyal despite the torture and execution of the Roman Empire.

Devoted Christians may imagine that our democracy today is no better than the pagan ruthlessness of the Roman Empire. Their devotion does not pay attention to flaws or recognize the angry, vindictive nature of a despot. Looking for a champion, they have found one in Trump.  Just as persecuted Christians stood up to oppressive governments before, nothing will shake their faith in a man who promises defeat of all their enemies. The end justifies the means. Yet is that Christian morality?

Unshakable faith is sublime. It has revered many martyrs and religious figures who stand up to tyrants. It represents boundless dedication and yet . . .

Faith in God is one thing;  faith in a cult? That’s another.