The Trump Faithful Believe Because of His Lies not Despite Them

Trump has stated that science is some sort of innate gift that some people, including himself, have.  Without the tiniest bit of understanding of how science works he confidently declares climate change is not that big of an issue.  Like most everything else he claims, his statement is its own evidence.  A sizable chunk of the American population believes him without question, and no matter what evidence is presented to them.

This is the methodology of dictators throughout history, going back to emperors and pharaohs who believed in their own divinity and infallibility.  It is what organized religions have been used for throughout time.  Helping the powerful of a society to convince people, against their best interest, to become zealots in a cause that solely benefits the powerful.

In early tribal societies the interest of the leaders and the group were generally the same.  Decisions were made for the good of the group and everyone benefited.  As societies became larger the connection between leader and follower lessened.  Leaders began to act primarily in their own  interest.  Of course since there are many more followers than leaders it was difficult to get the others to support actions that were a risk to themselves.  Waging a war only for the enrichment of the chief is not a great incentive to join an army.

This lead to the beginnings of organized religion.  Texts that offered answers to philosophical questions were given an overtly nationalistic bent.  And at the head of it all stood the leader whose right to govern became divine.  Now whatever whim came from the leaders lips was beyond question and dissent punishable by damnation.

Now the majority of Americans have become too sophisticated to fall for the lies of a self serving despot, but unfortunately he does not need a majority of Americans drinking his Koolaid.  Since a large chunk of Americans do not bother to vote, he simply needs a majority of the politically engaged to blindly follow.

Now that he has attained power he must continue stoking his base with lies that put their beliefs in him at odds with his political opponents.  This puts a large group of people out there blindly proselytizing for him certain in the faith that Trump means salvation.  Over time, as with religion, fewer people will be susceptible to the blind faith that brings about leaders like Trump.  It could be a long time until their influence becomes negligible, but it will happen.