In an era where misinformation spreads faster than the truth, and political extremism often feels more like a full belief system than a policy stance, many of us have found ourselves in painfully surreal situations having challenging conversations with loved ones who are devoted to President Donald Trump.
Unsurprisingly, the word “cult” has been thrown around over the years to describe MAGA die-hards who believe Trump can do no wrong. Most recently, far-right pundit Alex Jones responded on X, formerly Twitter, with “I am not in your cult” while responding to Trump fans who were angry he was among voices calling for more clarity on the claims Elon Musk made about his alleged connection to the Epstein files. So it seems the assessment has caught on.
Interactions with folks who fall into the cult-y category aren’t just absurd or frustrating. Often, they’re just heartbreaking. How do you keep a relationship alive when someone you care about seems captured by a worldview that’s not only disconnected from reality, but openly hostile?
This guide was born from that question. We spoke with experts in cult recovery and high-control groups, including those familiar with the tactics, language and emotional binds of movements like MAGA to bring you practical tools for navigating these encounters.
