Feb. 6, White House:
Post Impeachment Statement by President Trump.
“If we didn’t win, [the 2016 election] stock market would have crashed,” was an opening comment. “I did nothing wrong” states the President. “We were treated unbelievably unfairly, referring to the impeachment. Thanks Speaker McConnell. Kudos to Senator Chuck Grassley for what is not clear. Says he is sorry for Mitt Romney. “The Russians, the Russians was all bullshit”, referencing the Mueller Report which is replete with evidence of Russian interference with the 2016 election. “Democrats are vicious as hell “. Slams Hunter Biden for being corrupt. Claims “Total Acquittal”. “Nancy Pelosi doesn’t pray for me”. We are putting up the wall. “There is more support for the republicans around the country than ever before. “Democrats can’t count votes and they want to run the health system”, was a quote. Went on to announce and name the “warriors”, who were people who were part of the House and Senate defense. “We went through hell”. He had his legal defense team stand for applause. There was no remorse nor recognition of the truth nor discussion of the constitutional issues at the center of the impeachment process. Trump indicated that he was the victim.
Rambling in front of Republican cheering section for over an hour demonstrates the extent of his mental illness, a flight from reality and extreme narcissistic behavior. What is worse is this question. Have we witnessed the solidification of a cult replacing the Republican Party? My sad answer is yes. No doubt about it. This is now the reality.
What are the characteristics of a political cult? Generally, they are:
1. Led by a charismatic leader, who demonstrates deterioration in critical thinking. The leader claims to have done no wrong. The leader claims to be “perfect”.
2. Members demonstrate oppressive loyalty to their leader and willingly isolate and disparage non-believers.
3. The leader demands a high level of adherence and single-minded thinking of an extreme ideology.
4. Members often end up “drinking the Kool-Aid”.
For observers of the recent impeachment proceedings, it is easy to see the final evolution of the process in the president’s “Celebrations” today.
All but one member of the Republican Senate drank the Kool-Aid.
