Trump is the figurehead, but the nascent movement was growing long before he showed up. It will continue long after him.
The personality is not required. In fact, the personality is largely a fiction that the cult created. Listen to the way they talk about Trump and it basically has nothing to do with who Trump actually is. It barely aligns with how Trump describes himself. That’s why it can export so successfully; all it needs is a figurehead. It can be anyone.
When Trump is gone, we will not be free from this. Not even a little.
That’s a comforting but flawed reading.
Trump is the figurehead, but the nascent movement was growing long before he showed up. It will continue long after him.
The personality is not required. In fact, the personality is largely a fiction that the cult created. Listen to the way they talk about Trump and it basically has nothing to do with who Trump actually is. It barely aligns with how Trump describes himself. That’s why it can export so successfully; all it needs is a figurehead. It can be anyone.
When Trump is gone, we will not be free from this. Not even a little.