So many call MAGA a cult, but I 100% disagree. It may or may not have cult-like attributes, but according to traditional academic definitions its not a cult. Based on my own experience in a religious cult, years studying cults, and following politics I put this argument to rest in what I believe in a concise detailed argument. This is not about defending MAGA, but using the word "cult" properly, because if everything is a cult (or racist, nazi, etc) than nothing is, and it devalues the trauma of those in cults, not to mention clouds our intellectual assessment of things. Live 7/12/2025, pre-recorded 5/2025.
0:00 – Intro to debunking MAGA is a cult based on Robert J. Lifton's 8 points of cult criteria | long lists of cult criteria excludes people | short lists of cult criteria makes everything a cult
3:13 – Why discuss MAGA as a cult
4:50 – Cults must have all 8 points of Lifton's criteria to be a cult
7:26 – MAGA is not all conservatives
8:54 – Ex-member of Adidam cult
10:22 – Overview of Lifton's 8 points (pdf can be found here )
11:09 – Cult criteria point 1: Milieu control - controlling communication & losing autonomy | book banning & censorship | punishment | isolation | us vs them (i.e. fear of the stranger) | acting & speaking a certain required way | MAGA is not all the same, hating a stereotype
27:00 – Cult criteria point 2: Mystical Manipulation - conformity & cult is the only path to salvation | claiming to be a god/divine | becoming a group pawn
38:17 – Cult criteria point 3: Demand For Purity - good vs absolutely evil | individual vs group | conservatives as all hateful & unchanging | shame | confusing, black & white thinking
47:29 – The R.I.N.O. situation (i.e. Republican In Name Only)
50:22 – Cult criteria point 4: Confession - group confession sessions | Scientology pit | keeping secrets to avoid punishments | Candace Owens & Ben Shapiro reputations | Christian hypocrisy
55:57 – Sub-set smaller groups do not represent all of MAGA
58:29 – Cult criteria point 5: Sacred Science - sacredness around basic doctrine (world vision) | Adidam eternal copyright | criticizing beliefs | reaching out to young people
1:03:26 – Cult criteria point 6: Loaded Language - thought stopping jargon & words given new insider meanings | Adidam new definition of cult | liberals always change definitions | Make America Great Again
1:06:36 – Cult criteria point 7: Doctrine over person - personal feelings/experience vs official doctrine, contradictions & doubts | asking questions not allowed | lack of Trump ideology, as is only an empty brand
1:15:33 – Cult criteria point 8: Dispensing of Existence - vision of truth & fear manipulation of outside evil | leaving a cult | losing family who is MAGA | bad outcomes after leaving cult
1:20:09 – Concluding thoughts | broad generalities | authoritative list of cult criteria, debunking other criteria for cults
This podcast was a 2025 People's Choice Podcast Award nominee. On Apple Podcasts it's been the #1 most listened to show in the Philippines, and in the top 20 in France, Sweden, Belgium, Spain, Israel, Switzerland and Australia.
For independent thinkers who’ve outgrown spiritual, cultural and political fluff, and want more out of life than what society often offers. This isn’t about trends, vibes, or blind devotion. Tune into my live show for unfiltered commentary on politics, culture, music, religion, and society from a rational, historical and politically conservative perspective.
I’m Aaron Joy in Portland, Maine, USA (also known in spiritual circles as Premanand Das Bhagat). I'm a writer, musician, ultra-runner, and former thespian. Visit my website for my books.
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