Similarities Between Scientology Members and Extreme Supporters of Trump

Op-Ed by Matt O’Hern

There are some striking similarities between members of the Church of Scientology and extreme supporters of President Donald Trump, particularly in terms of their loyalty, belief systems, and responses to criticism. 

Additionally, the leadership styles of Trump, L. Ron Hubbard, and David Miscavige share common elements in terms of control, messaging, and personal branding.

Similarities Between Scientology Members and Extreme Trump Supporters

1. Unwavering Loyalty – Both groups display deep devotion to their leader. Extreme Trump supporters often see him as a unique political savior, just as Scientologists view Hubbard (and, by extension, Miscavige) as infallible. Criticism of the leader is often dismissed as lies or propaganda.
   
2. Hostility Toward Critics – Scientology has a history of aggressively attacking those who challenge its teachings, branding defectors as “suppressive persons.” Similarly, extreme Trump supporters often label critics as “traitors,” “fake news,” or part of a deep-state conspiracy.
   
3. Rejection of Outside Information – Both groups are resistant to external sources of information that contradict their beliefs. Scientology members are discouraged from engaging with critical media, while hardcore Trump supporters often dismiss mainstream news as “fake” and instead rely on alternative media or social networks.
   
4. Persecution Complex – Scientologists believe they are unfairly targeted by governments and the media, much like extreme Trump supporters see themselves as victims of political persecution, deep-state plots, and media bias.
   
5. Apocalyptic Thinking – Scientology teaches that it holds the key to saving humanity from destruction, while extreme Trump supporters often frame political battles as an existential war for the survival of the country.
   

Leadership Style and Tactics: Trump vs. Hubbard & Miscavige

1. Charismatic and Authoritarian Leadership
   
   • Hubbard built Scientology around himself, portraying himself as a genius who alone possessed the secrets to human enlightenment.
     
   • Miscavige tightened control over the organization, using fear, intimidation, and aggressive tactics to keep members in line.
     
   • Trump similarly relies on personal charisma and presents himself as the sole figure capable of “saving” America. His rallies and direct communication with his base through social media mimic the centralized control Scientology leaders exert over their followers.
     
2. Cult of Personality
   
   • All three leaders place themselves at the center of their movements.
     
   • Hubbard was seen as a visionary whose teachings could never be questioned.
     
   • Miscavige enforces rigid loyalty, purging dissenters.
     
   • Trump has turned the Republican Party into a vehicle for his personal brand, demanding absolute allegiance from his supporters and political allies.
     
3. Use of Fear and Enemies
   
   • Scientology uses fear tactics to keep members from leaving, warning that defectors will be cut off from family and face personal ruin.
     
   • Trump constantly frames politics as a battle against an array of enemies (media, deep state, RINOs, immigrants), keeping his supporters in a state of fear and vigilance.
     
4. Secrecy and Control Over Information
   
   • Scientology keeps internal information tightly controlled and retaliates against those who expose it.
     
   • Trump’s administration and campaign operate with similar secrecy, often demonizing whistleblowers and promoting alternative versions of reality.
     
5. Financial Exploitation
   
   • Scientology requires financial contributions from members, pressuring them to buy courses and donate to the organization.
     
   • Trump has aggressively fundraised from supporters, often with misleading claims, and even after leaving office, he continues to profit from their loyalty.
     

While Scientology is a religion and Trumpism is a political movement, they share key dynamics: a central leader demanding loyalty, an us-versus-them mentality, suppression of dissent, and a reliance on fear and control tactics. Trump, like Hubbard and Miscavige, has built a movement where the leader’s persona is inseparable from the cause, ensuring that for the most devoted followers, questioning the leader is unthinkable.

Former supporters of Donald Trump and ex-members of Scientology often recount strikingly similar experiences of disillusionment, manipulation, and personal loss. Both groups describe being drawn into a compelling narrative, only to later realize they had been subjected to deceptive practices that led to fractured relationships, financial exploitation, and a reliance on elaborate facades.​

Deception and Disillusionment

Many former Scientologists, such as Marc Headley, have detailed how they were misled by the organization’s promises. Headley, who spent 15 years in Scientology’s Sea Org, recounted the “prison-like security” and “physical and mental abuse” he endured, ultimately leading to a harrowing escape from the organization’s compound . Similarly, former Trump supporters have expressed feelings of betrayal, realizing that the leadership they once trusted had misrepresented facts and manipulated their beliefs .​

Family Divisions and Disconnection

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The practice of “disconnection” in Scientology mandates members to sever ties with those deemed suppressive, often leading to painful family estrangements. Jenna Miscavige Hill, niece of Scientology leader David Miscavige, revealed that she was forbidden from contacting her parents after they left the church, highlighting the organization’s control over personal relationships . In the political realm, families have similarly been divided over unwavering support for Trump, with some relationships strained or broken due to conflicting beliefs and the intense polarization surrounding his presidency .

Brainwashing and Control

Both former Scientologists and ex-Trump supporters have described experiences akin to brainwashing. Mike Rinder, a former high-ranking Scientology official, spoke about the organization’s use of auditing sessions as tools for interrogation and mind control, leading members to suppress doubts and conform to the group’s ideology . Similarly, experts have noted that Trump’s followers were subjected to behavior, information, thought, and emotional control, transforming them into devoted adherents who found it challenging to question the narrative presented to them

Financial Exploitation

Financial exploitation is another common thread. Marc Headley recounted receiving a “freeloader bill” of $62,000 from Scientology for services rendered during his time in the organization, a tactic used to discourage departure and maintain control . In the political sphere, former Trump supporters have reported making significant financial contributions to campaigns and causes, only to later feel misled about how their money was used, leading to feelings of regret and betrayal 

The Power of Facades

Both Scientology and Trump’s brand heavily rely on impressive facades to project success and legitimacy. Scientology’s lavish buildings and celebrity endorsements serve to attract and retain members, masking the organization’s controversial practices . Similarly, Trump’s image as a successful businessman and strong leader was meticulously crafted and promoted, often overshadowing criticisms and controversies

These parallels underscore the psychological and emotional challenges faced by individuals who extricate themselves from such influential systems. The journey to reclaim autonomy and rebuild fractured relationships is complex, requiring support, understanding, and often, a reevaluation of deeply held beliefs.