The Cult of Trump

by Steven Hassan

  Future efforts to protect our citizens might take advantage of what is known about undue influence and mind control and might even consider using the BITE model when devising algorithms to detect coercive and unethical forms of influence. When it comes to the future world of AI, we need to make sure that compassion and kindness are included in the wiring of any robots. Maybe the single most important AI algorithm would be the most ancient—the Golden Rule: treat others as you would have them treat you.

  COMMUNITY

  Once at a plenary lecture I gave at a conference on Complex Systems, a woman from China asked me, “There’s a lot of emphasis on the individual’s freedom and individuality in America, but what about the collective self?” Good question! We need to cultivate a greater sense of responsibility—not just to our family and friends but to our local communities, our country, and to all who share the planet. We hit our brakes when coming at a stop sign. It’s the law, of course. But we know it is going to make all of us safer. People consensually abide by rules for the common good. That is also true of our social behavior—the Ten Commandments were established thousands of years ago as a mechanism for helping people get along in groups. They were also established as a form of social control, with their focus on worshipping the “one God.” What we may need now are commandments that guide our ethical behavior as citizens, regardless of race, creed, ethnicity, or sexual or religious preference.

  Humans are intrinsically social creatures. We seek connection, though it is often with people we view as similar to us. If we are to heal the current rift between parties and ideologies, we need to talk with people who are different, which can be a tall order. And yet, struggling with and resolving our differences is at the heart of the best of what the American experiment has been all about. Learning to cope with and navigate those differences will let us flourish as individuals and as a society going forward—if we commit ourselves to the process.

  When I’m counseling people and describing healthy versus unhealthy functioning, I use the image of a funnel. If you believe that you have the truth with a capital T, you are going from the wide end of the funnel toward the narrow end. Your view of the world grows limited because you’re only looking for confirmation of your existing beliefs. When you are growing and expanding, you realize how little you know and how much knowledge and understanding you have yet to discover. You are looking from the narrow end toward the ever-widening one.

  Healing the rift requires education—teaching people about influence techniques, propaganda and persuasion, fantasies versus facts, as well as the warning signs of destructive groups and leaders. We might turn the internet into a tool for reconnection and reconciliation by creating an online resource that teaches everyone—politicians, law enforcement, businesspeople, artists, doctors, children—about the issues and information contained in this book and others focusing on similar themes. It could provide resources, videos, and courses for more detailed study. One of my mentors, Philip Zimbardo, developed the Heroic Imagination Project, which uses videos to teach about social psychology and how to stand up and do the right thing.24 This should be a standard curriculum item in middle and high schools.

  Civic meetings could be organized in communities focusing on themes of reconciliation and trust building. When people meet across belief systems and share their personal stories, understanding and tolerance often follow. We should especially concentrate on teaching children how to know the difference between ethical and unethical influence, and how to protect themselves. We need to educate them about citizenship and the importance of expressing their voice—and their vote. We are all responsible for creating and sustaining institutions in which civil democracy flourishes.

  Part of this means teaching our children that the current situation—in which a president actively sows discord and division—is not what the founding fathers envisioned. It is not normal, and it is certainly not what we envision as leading to a better future for them and for all of us.

  LEST HISTORY REPEAT ITSELF

  Meanwhile, there is evidence that Trump’s behavior is becoming more unbalanced. Though the Mueller Report found no criminal conspiracy between his election campaign and Russia, Trump has continued to argue that the FBI and the Democrats are “treasonous” people who have done “very evil things” and should themselves be investigated. Trump’s paranoia and desire for vengeance would be disturbing in an ordinary citizen, but in a president, they are dangerous. Of course, the fact remains that Trump had a fair amount to hide from the publishing of the report, not least his reaction when he heard that Mueller was assigned to the investigation: “Oh my God. This is terrible. This is the end of my Presidency. I’m fucked.”25 Tony Schwartz, ghostwriter for The Art of the Deal, tried to warn the electorate about candidate Trump. But in the wake of the Mueller Report, he commented that the reason Trump does not want his tax and other financial records made available to Congress and federal prosecutors, or allow his aides to testify before Congress, is that “they will all reveal he is a stone cold felon.”26

  Jim Jones also had a lot to hide—he was running a cult that was denying civil liberties to its members. I said earlier that comparing Jones with Trump might seem like a leap but the parallels are too important to ignore. Jones was a malignant narcissist with a strong paranoid streak. He believed that ultimately, he would be attacked—by the government, the media, even his own devotees—and intended to bring them with him. The massacre of his followers did not come out of the blue. He had them conduct suicide drills, so-called “white nights,” to prepare for such a catastrophe. Congressman Leo Ryan had visited Jonestown in 1978 because he had received information that people were being held against their will and even tortured there. During his visit, several people passed him notes saying that they wanted to leave. Jones heard about this and had a psychotic implosion at the thought that his own followers had been disloyal. The rest was tragic history.

  Is Trump that fragile? At a meeting on March 19, 2019, in Washington, D.C., experts from the World Mental Health Coalition gathered to express their grave concerns about Donald Trump’s fitness for leadership. One of the most chilling moments came during a talk by Scott Ritter, former Marine intelligence officer who served as chief weapons inspector for the United Nations in Iraq from 1991 to 1998, and who is the author of several books. Ritter described how he voted for Trump but came to regret his decision out of fear that the president might start a nuclear war with North Korea or Iran. Ritter further stated that he did not think that any one person, including the president, should have the power to press the nuclear button, especially to carry out a preemptive nuclear strike.27

  According to Bandy X. Lee, the situation with Trump may get worse. “The problem is, we as a nation have enabled it, allowing him to put in place individuals and structures that echo his distorted views, such as the new attorney general,” Lee said. “Pathology coopts normal structures to destructive ends, not the other way around.”28

  Cult leaders do not relinquish power. If Trump runs again and is not reelected in 2020, he might claim that the election was rigged. Who knows what he might call on his followers to do in that case? The lives of the 917 people who were murdered by Jim Jones may seem like a distant lesson from a faraway time. And yet as someone who has lived a version of their experience, I know that the dangers of mind control are no less real today than they were forty years ago, in the remote jungles of Guyana.

  In my work with clients, I have seen miracles happen. I have seen people throw off the mental and emotional shackles of many years—even a lifetime—of cult indoctrination. I believe that love is stronger than fear and that truth is stronger than mind control. But I also believe that the dangers of mind control are greater now than ever. We ignore the lessons of history—of Jonestown and other destructive groups—at our own peril.

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  Each day brings new information and stories—often disturbing and sometimes shocking—demonstrating the reality of the Cult of Tru
mp. This book needed to be finalized, but I trust there will be many more revelations coming out about the Trump White House before it appears in bookstores. While it applies the psychology of destructive cults to illuminate the dark corners of the Trump presidency, I hope that it will shed light on any leader or group with authoritarian behaviors. This book is a beginning—it offers what I hope is a new perspective in the ongoing struggle to uphold human rights, justice, and the democratic principles on which this country is founded.

  Writing such an encompassing book in a very short period of time has been one of the most challenging but rewarding projects of my life. It was first conceived in the summer of 2018, when I met with Steve Troha, my literary agent at Folio, who proposed I write a book called The Cult of Trump. Steve believed in my expertise and in the importance of this project. He graciously advised and encouraged me every step of the way. My editor Natasha Simons at Simon & Schuster knew she wanted this book and made it happen. Natasha had edited Omarosa Manigault Newman’s book Unhinged, as well as Catherine Oxenberg’s book Captive, about the destructive group NXIVM, and so her interest in cults was whetted. Natasha arranged an interview for me with Omarosa, whom I also thank. Thank you, Steve and Natasha.

  This book could not have happened without Misia Landau—anthropologist, science writer, artist, photographer, and my loving wife, who has been strong enough to deal with all the stresses of life with me and my difficult work. Thank you for all your incredible support on many levels. For more than two decades, you have helped me write, strategize, and cope. You have been my number one. Special thanks for putting aside your own writing projects and art classes to write your heart out to get this book into its best form for publication. You are an amazing writer. You are my most trusted and valued advisor. Thank you in ways far more than words could ever communicate. Also, to our son, Matthew. Thank you for dealing with the extra stress of having both your parents working on this book—and your willingness to take Uber one too many times!

  Special thanks to Frederick Clarkson, who first interviewed me many decades ago, to find out about my experiences as a former Moon cult member and leader. Frederick has been writing articles to expose right-wing unethical activity, especially in regard to religious freedom. Frederick has been an amazing advisor and editor on this project and introduced me to many of the people I interviewed in researching this book. Frederick, your knowledge, guidance, and wisdom have made this a much stronger book. Thank you so much.

  Months of writing and researching was supplied by Kathy Huck, with support from science writer Daniel Klein. Turning around a book on a four-month deadline is simply crazy. Thank you so much, Kathy. You helped to structure and shape the book and contributed a lot. Thank you, Daniel, for your contributions.

  I would like to acknowledge people who have had a tremendous impact on my life, and taught, guided, and supported me for many decades. When I reached out to them to tell them about this book project, they each gave me lengthy interviews. Thank you, Robert Jay Lifton, M.D.; Dr. Philip Zimbardo; and law professor emeritus Alan Scheflin. I wish to recognize the late scholars Dr. Margaret Singer, Dr. Louis Jolyon West, and Dr. John Clark for their courageous work speaking out about destructive cults. I also wish to thank extraordinary social psychologists Dr. Anthony Pratkanis and Dr. Robert Cialdini.

  Thank you to my colleagues, who are each considered cult experts and contributed to this book’s research: Dr. Steve Eichel, president of the International Cultic Studies Association; Dr. Dennis Tourish; Dr. Alexandra Stein; Daniel Shaw, LCSW; Dr. Stephen Kent; and Dr. Janja Lalich. Enduring thanks to Open Minds founding director, Jon Atack, for our many stimulating conversations over the years. There are many other cult experts who have been doing interviews and articles discussing the Cult of Trump. Most are former members of cults themselves who have become professors, mental health professionals, or lay scholars.

  Yale forensic psychiatrist Bandy X. Lee, M.D., edited the groundbreaking volume The Dangerous Case of Donald Trump: 37 Psychiatrists and Mental Health Experts Assess a President. This was an extremely important book for me. I am indebted to Bandy and her world-class colleagues. Their book, and also my many discussions with Bandy, taught me about the duty to warn and explained the politics of the Goldwater rule. To its shame, the American Psychiatric Association has incorrectly and unethically tried to silence many internationally renowned experts whose life work it is to identify people, including in this case a president, who are a threat to themselves and others.

  An enormous amount of research was undertaken to complete this book. I am grateful to the creators of the many books, articles, interviews, podcasts, and videos that helped me better comprehend the Cult of Trump. Thank you for sharing, directly, your knowledge, expertise, and time with me: David Cay Johnston (who has been writing about Trump for fifty years), James Moore, Dr. André Gagné, Frank Cocozzelli, Yves Messer, Dennis King, Chip Berlet, Jeffrey Sharlet, Dr. James Scaminaci III, Dr. Warren Throckmorton, Dr. John Weaver, Dr. Christopher Stroop, Dr. John Dehlin, David Weissman, Arno Michaelis, Scott Adams, Allen Tate Wood, Jefferson Hawkins, Michele (Chele) Roland, Taryn Southern, Spanky Taylor, Tory Christman, Hoyt Richards, Rabbi Terry Ross Bard, Stephane Acel-Green, Cell Whitman, and Larry Zilliox. Special thank you to Karin Spike Robinson for research, copyediting, and graphics assistance. Thank you to Rebecca Johnston for your support. Thanks to Kimmy O’Donnell and Jane at the Freedom of Mind Resource Center.

  I wish to thank my mentors at Harvard’s forensic think tank, The Program in Psychiatry and Law, and especially its founders, Dr. Thomas Gutheil, Dr. Harold Bursztajn, and Archie Brodsky. Special thanks to my mentor, Dr. Michael Commons, who runs the research arm of the Program. He told me that if I was serious about wishing to help update the legal definition of undue influence—and become a respected expert witness—I needed to get a doctorate, do quantitative research, and publish articles in peer review. He directed me to the doctoral program at Fielding Graduate University, and introduced me to my faculty mentor, Dr. Judy Stevens-Long, who has been so helpful, along with my dissertation committee members, Dr. Keith Melville and Dr. John Austin. Dr. Commons became my external faculty member and is supervising my research. He encouraged me to set up Freedom from Undue Influence, a research arm under his nonprofit, Dare Association. My research assistant, Mansi Shah, helped me to execute my first quantitative study and to ready my first peer review journal article for Elsevier, “The anatomy of undue influence used by terrorist cults and traffickers, so creating false identities” [Ethics, Medicine and Public Health (2019) 8, 97–107].

  A special thanks to Eric Rayman. As my attorney, he has provided, over many years, legal support and advice for getting my work to the broader public.

  Thanks so much to long-time friend, advisor, and all-around mentor Hank Greenberg. Ellen Krause-Grosman, of Make Your Vision Real, has been my business coach for several years. She advised me through many difficult moments with her characteristic pragmatism, creativity, and insight. She encouraged me to embark on a doctoral program, become an expert witness, and generally has done so much to support and help me get my work more broadly known. I am very grateful to you, Ellen.

  This book could never have been written without my deprogramming from the Moonies in 1976, thanks to my dear sister Thea and her husband, Doug Luba, and my parents, Milton and Estelle Hassan. Thanks to those who did my deprogramming and who have helped encourage and support my efforts. Thanks again, to my colleague, ex-Scientologist Jon Atack, who is the leading authority on Hubbard and Scientology and a wonderful writer and editor. Jon, you have been much more than a colleague—you are a very dear friend and a source of enormous encouragement and inspiration always.

  Last, but most importantly, thanks to my extended family and good friends, my community at Temple Beth Zion in Brookline, Massachusetts, and the tens of thousands of people I have met all over the world in this forty-three-year journey of activism. I have had a most astounding life and pray that this book h
elps to bring light to people everywhere.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  ©RYUJI SUZUKI BEAUPIX.COM

  STEVEN HASSAN is a mental-health professional who has been helping people leave destructive cults since 1976, after he was deprogrammed from Sun Myung Moon’s Unification Church by his family. He directs the Freedom of Mind Resource Center, a counseling and publishing organization, outside Boston. He teaches at Harvard Medical School and is pursuing a doctorate at Fielding University. He is the author of three books, Combating Cult Mind Control, Releasing the Bonds, and Freedom of Mind: Helping Loved Ones Leave Controlling People, Cults and Beliefs.

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