Cult expert explains Trump movement’s brainwashing tactics and how to help followers leave

In an interview, cult specialist Steven Hassan explains why the Make America Great Again coalition resembles a cult more than a traditional political faction, citing relentless misinformation, emotional manipulation, and the creation of a hostile "other" to rally around. He references his past involvement with the Unification Church and uses the BITE framework—Behavior, Information, Thought, Emotional control—to dissect the movement’s tactics, noting parallels with historic cult leaders such as Jim Jones and L. Ron Hubbard.

Hassan discusses how social media, one outlet, and messaging apps funnel tailored content that deepens ideological silos. He dismisses simplistic personality-type explanations, pointing instead to the engineered information environment. For those seeking to assist believers, he recommends a warm, non-confrontational approach that invites self-reflection and leverages familiar references, while urging families to re-establish personal connections. The conversation also touches on the broader context of fourth-generation psychological warfare aimed at undermining expertise and democratic institutions.