He lies but they don’t care.

He speaks nonsense yet they applaud.

He threatens their own safety but they’re oblivious.

He picks their pockets yet they’re unfazed.

Of course I am talking about Trump’s base. That very group of sycophants who would still support him even if he shot someone in the middle of Fifth Avenue.

But listen up. We need to stop using the world “base” when describing Trump supporters. It is too mild a word; too benign. We need to start calling Trump followers what they are, cult members.

Would we call followers of Jim Jones, David Koresh or Warren Jeffs their base? Of course not!

Here are some of the things we associate with cult members, which apply in spades to Trump loyalists:

The leader is the ultimate authority

The group suppresses skepticism

The group delegitimizes former members

The group is paranoid about the outside world

The leader is above the law

The group is elitist

We all know that trying to use logic or reason when talking with a cult member is useless. The only “facts” that exist are the ones put forth by the leader.

The sad truth is that if and when Trump is removed from office, he will still have his brainwashed army. If Trump calls his minions to arms, will they obey?

During his testimony before Congress, former Trump lawyer and loyalist, Michael Cohen, said he feared there would never be a “peaceful transition of power.”

What a scary thought!

Photo | businessinsider.com