Much of the following has been inspired and quoted from National Book Award winning Robert Jay Lifton’s 2019 “Losing Reality.” Subtitled “On Cults, Cultism, and The Mindset of Political and Religious Zealotry” gives reflection to Lifton’s career long study of various forms of extremism.
Lifton’s analysis and commentary on Chinese Communist Thought Reform comes mostly from his 1960’s observations. A chapter on Trump is part of his 2019 book. This post exists because of the many startling comparisons between Mao and Trump.
One Red Guard member stated: “So long as it is revolutionary, no action is a crime.”
Mao became “an absolute guru” to the young Red Guards.
The “inevitable falsehoods of a cultist group, especially ..falsehoods..turned into policy.”
A description of Mao by his doctor included these observations: one of the richest men in China, lived like an emperor, served culinary delicacies, interrupted plane and train travel when he traveled, had attractive young actresses and dancers brought to him every night for his sexual pleasure, gave them venereal diseases, showed little or no concern for the suffering or death of others – even with direct evidence
Another observer characterized Mao as “clearly a monster – egomaniacal, oblivious to 20th century science, technology…paranoid, cruel, cunning, deceitful, and a sexual predator.”
On August l8, 1966, Mao appeared for a dawn gigantic rally – and gave his blessing to the Red Guard. “Within a few days tens of thousands were roaming..the entire country..destroying the “Four Olds.” The Red Guards were going to achieve “class purity..cleansing the entire nation.”
Western observers in Hong Kong had thoughts of watching in real life Leni Riefenstahl’s “The Triumph of the Will,” portraying Adolf Hitler at Nuremberg
The Chinese press characterized Mao during the Cultural Revolution as “Great Leader<” “Great Teacher<” “Great Helmsman.” Mao’s thoughts were contained in “Quotations from Chairman Mao Zedong.”
Mao was thought to be merging with the masses. A total revolutionary would be “ready to sacrifice his life..determined to change heaven and earth, fight the enemy, stick to the truth.”
“Most significant of all was the godlike style of Mao’s participation in public events…”
“Donald Trump is a special kind of cultist…his beliefs can be remarkably fluid..his cultism is inseparable from his solipsistic reality [what the self requires].”
“A considerable portion of his base can be understood as cultist, as followers of a guru who is teacher, guide, and master.”
“He tells us that, as not only a ‘genius’ but a ‘very stable genius.’ he alone can ‘fix’ the terrible problems of our society.”
Steve Bannon “characterizes Trump’s cabinet choices of people opposed to the work of their agencies as consistent with his own wish “to destroy the state.'”
“Over the course of his presidency, Trump has become still more grandiose.” His lies and falsehoods not only increasing, but often in direct contrary opposition to previous statements Trump made himself.
“A dangerous direction on the part of Trump is to translate his falsehoods into policies…..an expanding sense of Trump’s unfitness, affirmed by..psychological professionals..often shared by Trump’s Republican supporters who speak in whispers about his “craziness” while defending him publicly..”
“…Trump’s solipsism can connect with a sea of mostly right-wing exaggeration, misinformation, conspiracism, falsehood, and lies.”
Trump is described as ‘virtually indifferent to reality’ and as ‘trying to make truth irrelevant.'”
Are the comparisons of Mao and Trump “perfect?” Obviously not. But, look at the overall patterns. Look at how their followers have regarded them. Look at the effect thy’ve had. Look at what their followers have done. Look at what their followers were acting out. Most of all, look at August 18, 1966 – and – January 6, 2021. They gave their blessing to the destruction that followed. That destruction was an attempt to tear down what existed – a destruction that benefitted the vision of an authoritarian leader.
Mao was a dictator. From multiple observations, Donald J. Trump wanted to be a dictator. Multiple international leaders and analysts have seen Trump’s effort at fomenting an insurrection as the acts of a “banana republic” dictator.
Mao’s policies {“Cultural Revolution”} led to estimates of between 20 and 50 million deaths, and much suffering. Trump’s policies – as part of the post-1980 American “Culture War” – have led to much suffering. Besides documented incompetence – notably with respect to COVID-19, Trump has demeaned America and American democracy. He has debased everything and nearly everyone whom he has touched. The black mark he has defaced America with will be along time erasing.
Trump’s worst, most devastating assault is on the very fact and concept of what pre-2015 was considered the truth. His, by one count, 20-25,000 lies and mistruths have forever endangered rational, fact-based discussion. The concept of “alternative facts”has been embraced by a large segment of American; untruths recycled endlessly in all media forms and platforms. This is most egregiously displayed by the – incredible – refusal of many – mostly Trump followers – to practice sound medical advice in the face of the worst international health crisis in 100 years.
Without truth, respect for internationally recognized facts, democracy is impossible. It would appear that Vladimir Putin has more than received his money’s worth.
With Justice For All 