Terry Kelly is a past-president of the Australian Skeptics Victorian Branch Inc, and has an extensive background in the Melbourne Skeptics scene. He has contributed to committee activities, the organising of multiple conferences, speaking nights, conventions and more, whilst frequently being available as a speaker at Skeptics Café and Skeptics In The Pub evenings.

On April 20th this year, Terry Kelly took to the podium at the Stolberg Hotel, situated on the corner of Bell Street and Plenty Road Preston for a Skeptics Café presentation. His topic was Is MAGA a Cult? | Source Facebook | Terry has read quite a bit on the topic of cults and keeps a sharp eye on Donald Trump. Trump’s popularity has waned somewhat, but only after truly arrogant and inhumane exercise of his power in various political theatres. Still, those who adore him cannot be reasoned with. How deep is this ideology?

Terry summarises how AI tackles the cult question, reminds us of how bizarre Trump’s “spiritual advisor” can be and the role of conspiracy theory thinking being accepted as fact, within MAGA. Cults can self destruct in a reasonably short time, or go on to build size, power, influence and respect. The latter may last for decades or more. Terry even treats viewers to an account of his own brief experience with a cult, a method of depersonalisation he witnessed and what questioning accepted beliefs ultimately invites.

What type of people succeed in leading cults? Can they ever be successful? Why do they die off? What tragedies can we link to famous cults solely as a function of their beliefs and the influence of a single leader? Terry examines what makes a cult leader and considers if Trump has the right characteristics. He reminds us of what influenced Trump, including Norman Vincent Peale’s, The Power of Positive Thinking and of the critical deconstruction of Trump, Too Much and Never Enough written by his niece, psychologist Mary Trump.

There’s plenty more I haven’t touched on, and a discussion around questions. The audio volume of questions asked on the night was low, but has since been fully amplified prior to upload to Facebook. I hope viewers can enjoy them.