A woman who escaped from a religious sect she grew up in has drawn parallels between the group and Donald Trump’s Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement. Cyd Chartier, who was introduced to the fundamentalist religious organization The Move of God in 1974, highlighted the similarities between the sect led by Sam Fife and Trump’s loyal fanbase.
Founded by Sam Fife after allegedly being expelled from the Baptist church for adultery, The Move of God operated under Fife’s autocratic rule until his death in 1979. Fife claimed that God had chosen The Move to govern the world, creating a Divine Order doctrine in 1974. Decades later, Chartier expressed how her family fell for the sect’s lies and conspiracies, drawing a comparison to the fervent support Trump received during his presidential campaign announcement in 2016.
Chartier witnessed a familiar pattern of anger, arrogance, and fear-mongering in Trump that mirrored Fife’s characteristics. The former sect member noted the alignment in behaviour, such as lying, misogyny, and embracing conspiracy theories, that triggered memories of her past experiences. Trump’s rhetoric calling on his supporters to “fight” resonated with Chartier, reminiscent of Fife declaring his congregation as warriors against evil.
Drawing on Trump’s claims of divine intervention saving him from assassination attempts, Chartier expressed concern over the potential re-election of Trump. She highlighted the fear of living under another authoritarian regime, similar to the one she escaped from. The eerie resemblances between the religious sect she left behind and Trump’s MAGA movement have evoked a sense of deja vu and apprehension in Chartier.
As she reflects on the possibility of Trump returning to power, Chartier remains vigilant, drawing on her past experiences to caution against the dangers of authoritarianism and extremism. The parallels she draws between the religious sect and Trump’s movement serve as a stark reminder of the impact of charismatic leaders and the importance of remaining vigilant against manipulation and deceit.