The Cult of Trump: A Leading Cult Expert Explains How the President Uses Mind Control

Steven Hassan

Oct 2019 · Simon and Schuster · Narrated by Steven Hassan

About this audiobook

A masterful and eye-opening examination of Trump and the coercive control tactics he uses to build a fanatical devotion in his supporters written by “an authority on breaking away from cults…an argument that…bears consideration as the next election cycle heats up” (Kirkus Reviews).

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. Hassan was a former “Moonie” himself, and he presents a “thoughtful and well-researched analysis of some of the most puzzling aspects of the current presidency, including the remarkable passivity of fellow Republicans [and] the gross pandering of many members of the press” (Thomas G. Gutheil, MD and professor of psychiatry, Harvard Medical School).

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. “This book is a must for anyone who wants to understand the current political climate” (Judith Stevens-Long, PhD and author of Living Well, Dying Well).

Ratings and reviews

This is book does not belong under, "religion & spirituality," despite the mention of "cult". Psychology, mental health? Most definitely. Religion? That is an academically unsound attribution. Aside from the topic at hand, it is hardly an academic reading. In Steven Hassan's more accomplished book, "Combatting Cult Mind Control," makes mention of Lifton's Eight Criteria of Mind Control, but the arguments of this book can't even hold a candle unless Steven Hassan employs his own word manipulation to convince the reader to his point of view. Ironically, that is simply another tactic of thought reform, aka mind control, aka brainwashing. Isn't that simply how life is nowdays? There's the cult of liberal media and the cult of conservative media. Again, psychology? yes. Religion? whatever.

CULT !!! You're just a scam artist. You Trump haters are so pathetic .. jealousy is unbecoming ! So the cult here are the people that support Trump ? Trump didn't Win the popular vote nor did he win the midterm election and lost the house ...But those nasty trump supporters they are a cult.. Too Funny, well get ready the Cult is coming back in Nov. to win another landslide Victory !!! Trump 2020 ! Can't wait for Scary Trump Cult part II

Всем доброго времени суток Я бы хотел чтобы книга была доступна на русском языке так как я русский и живу в России

About the author

Steven Hassan, PhD, is a mental health professional and forensics expert who has been helping people leave destructive cults since 1976 after he was deprogrammed from the Moon cult by his family. He directs the Freedom of Mind Resource Center, a consulting and media production company, based in Massachusetts. He is the author of the books, Combating Cult Mind Control and Freedom of Mind: Helping Loved Ones Leave Controlling People, Cults and Beliefs. Dr. Hassan’s expertise has been featured in major media outlets such as CNN, ABC, NBC, and The New York Times. He has developed The BITE Model™, the world’s first scientifically validated construct for evaluating authoritarian control, and hosts the podcast, The Influence Continuum.