In the cult of Trump, facts and critical thinking are forbidden

The impression that many supporters of Donald Trump give off is one of unconditional love. Speaking to Trump supporters and watching them talk about him, I get the sense that they are so deeply entranced by Trump that they believe that he actually cares about them, and that he always speaks the hard truth.

It’s so strange, but also deeply familiar. It’s the sort of unquestioning affection toddlers have toward their parents. It’s also the sort of devotion inspired by some of history’s most vicious dictators. I’m not saying that Trump is a dictator, but it’s clear that he’s benefitting from a similar cult of personality.

I’d first like to say that I understand Trump supporters. Many of them believe that America is in crisis. They believe that our open borders are allowing an invasion of unvetted immigrants, that crime is rampant and unchecked, that their traditional values are being replaced by perverted new ones, that Democrats are evil incarnate, and that Trump is the only antidote. If you believe all of that, it’s only natural to support Trump.

So, they’re taking in the evidence about these issues from news sources, and forming the easy belief that Trump is their savior. This sort of thought process only works if one is exclusively receptive to the evidence that fits to confirm that belief. Once one accounts for the evidence that Trump doesn’t care about his supporters or their concerns, the belief becomes unreasonable.

The latest piece of evidence that Trump supporters are refusing to accept is his recent interference with the Ukraineborder deal. Trump rallied Republicans against the deal, making it much likelier that it won’t be made. This is confusing, since the deal contained much of what Republicans and Trump supporters had been asking for: the deal included sending more personnel to the