For the Greater Good and Protection of Marginalized and Disenfranchised Communities

Redefining MAGA Extremism: 

A Public Cult-Terrorism Hybrid Threatening Global Stability 

Anonymous Concerned Citizens May 12, 2025 

Abstract The Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement, rooted in Donald Trump’s rhetoric, blends cult-like devotion and terroristic tactics, defying traditional definitions. Driven by misinformation, disinformation, fear, hatred, confirmation bias, and illusory pattern perception, MAGA exploits the modern information cycle to radicalize millions and destabilize democracy. Its 74 million voters (AP VoteCast, 2020) and social media dominance amplify its reach, while actions like the January 6, 2021, insurrection (Jan. 6 Committee, 2022) and isolationist policies harming Canada (CNN, 2025) create chaos. We propose classifying MAGA as a public cult-terrorism hybrid, urging officials to counter its threat, deprogram well-intentioned followers, and protect allies like Canada. Inaction risks irreparable harm. 

1 Introduction: A Critical Juncture

The Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement threatens democratic norms and global stability, operating as a public, digitally-driven force unlike traditional cults or terrorist groups. Its blend of psychological coercion and violence demands a new definition: a public cult-terrorism hybrid. We, Anonymous Concerned Citizens, denounce MAGA’s harm, recognizing its 74 million voters (AP VoteCast, 2020) include well-intentioned individuals misled by lies. This paper urges officials to redefine this threat, deprogram followers, and act swiftly to mitigate damage, especially to allies like Canada, before MAGA implodes or causes irreversible chaos.

2 Foundations of MAGA’s Threat

MAGA’s influence rests on four foundations—misinformation and disinformation, fear and hatred, confirmation bias, and illusory pattern perception—amplified by the internet’s speed and scale. Each drives radicalization and division.

2.1 Misinformation and Disinformation 

MAGA spreads misinformation (unintentional falsehoods) and disinformation (deliberate lies) like a fast-food chain serving toxic food, eroding trust. Fox News’ $787.5 million settlement for false election claims (Guardian, 2025) and 27,600 misleading X posts in one week (NewsGuard, 2025) exemplify this. Steve Bannon’s “flood the zone” tactic (Atlantic, 2020) overwhelms discourse, exhausting 60% of Americans (Pew, 2023), and fuels conspiracies like a “Deep State” (Wikipedia, 2025). 

2.2 Fear and Hatred 

MAGA stokes fear and hatred of “others”—immigrants, minorities, Canada—to divide society. X posts mock Canada’s leadership (X Post, 2025), while QAnon’s mind maps vilify groups as Satanic (RationalWiki, 2025). Antisemitic tropes (Sagepub, 2021) and divisive rhetoric (Britannica, 2025) incite harm, like threats amid annexation talk (Globe and Mail, 2024), reinforcing cult-like echo chambers (Hassan, 2021).

2.3 Confirmation Bias

Confirmation bias traps supporters in echo chambers, ignoring evidence. A 2021 YouGov poll showed 66% of Trump voters believed election fraud lies (YouGov, 2021). X and alternative media (NYU, 2023) reinforce this, as does distrust of mainstream news (Britannica, 2025). Followers accept Trump’s 70-80% false claims (PolitiFact, 2025), mirroring cult-like thought control (Lalich, 2020). 2.4 Illusory Pattern Perception MAGA supporters see false patterns, like QAnon’s “Q Web” linking unrelated events (AV Club, 2020). These mind maps radicalized January 6 rioters, 10% QAnon-linked (First Monday, 2021). Images like “Trump as the Pope” fuel devotion (X Post, 2025), driving conspiracies that harm allies like Canada (CNN, 2025).

3 A Public Cult-Terrorism Hybrid

Traditional cult (isolated, charismatic-led (Hassan, 2021)) and terrorism (violent intimidation (?)) definitions fail MAGA’s public scale and tactics. Its 74 million voters, X dominance (AP VoteCast, 2020), disinformation (Guardian, 2025), and violence (January 6: 5 deaths, 140 injuries (Jan. 6 Committee, 2022)) form a public cult-terrorism hybrid. Project 2025’s autocratic plans (NYT, 2025) and January 6 pardons (Progressive, 2025) underscore this, demanding a new framework.

4 Global Impact: Canada’s Stake

MAGA’s policies hit Canada hard. Tariffs of 25% (CNN, 2025) threaten its economy, prompting counter-tariffs (CBC, 2025). Annexation rhetoric (Globe and Mail, 2024) and NATO/UN withdrawal plans (Forbes, 2025) undermine security. QAnon’s anti-globalist conspiracies (Wikipedia, 2025) paint Canada as a foe, sickening allies with toxic “food” (lies, fear), per the McDonald’s analogy.

5 Deprogramming Well-Intentioned Followers

Many MAGA supporters are well-intentioned, misled neighbors (Shepherd Express, 2024). Deprogramming via respectful questioning (Atlantic, 2023) can counter their bias toward Trump (?). Community programs treating disinformation as a public health crisis (Atlantic, 2023) offer a path to unbrainwash these individuals. 

 

6 Conclusion:

Act Now MAGA’s hybrid threat—disinformation, fear, bias, conspiracies—sickens democracy and allies like Canada. We denounce its harm and urge officials to redefine this threat, fund deprogramming, and counter disinformation. Time is short; MAGA may collapse (Lalich, 2020), but its chaos could devastate. Act now to protect our future.

References

AP VoteCast. (2020). Election Results. Associated Press. The Atlantic. (2020). Steve Bannon’s “Flood the Zone” Strategy. The Atlantic. (2023). The End Will Come for the Cult of MAGA. AV Club. (2020). QAnon Map Dissection. Britannica. (2025). MAGA Movement: Meaning, Beliefs, Origins. CBC. (2025). Canada Plans Counter-Tariffs. CNN. (2025). Trump Imposes 25% Tariffs on Canada. First Monday. (2021). QAnon’s Role in January 6. Forbes. (2025). Trump’s NATO and UN Withdrawal Plans. Globe and Mail. (2024). Trump’s Annexation Rhetoric. The Guardian. (2025). Fox News’ $787.5M Dominion Settlement. Hassan, S. (2021). The Cult of Trump. Free Press. Jan. 6 Committee. (2022). Final Report on Capitol Insurrection. Lalich, J. (2020). Cult Dynamics. Routledge. NewsGuard. (2025). 27,600 False Zelenskyy Posts. New York Times. (2025). Project 2025’s Autocratic Blueprint. NYU. (2023). MAGA Radicalization of Young Men. Pew Research. (2023). Political Exhaustion in America. PolitiFact. (2025). Trump’s False Claims Analysis. Progressive. (2025). Trump’s January 6 Pardons. RationalWiki. (2025). QAnon Mind Map Analysis. Sagepub. (2021). QAnon’s Radicalization Maps. Shepherd Express. (2024). MAGA Mind: A Cult Analysis. Wikipedia. (2025). QAnon Origins and Messaging. YouGov. (2021). Election Fraud Beliefs Among Trump Voters. X Post. (2025). MAGA’s “God’s Chosen” Narrative.