7 Manipulation Tactics to Know (psychcentral.com)
Stage 1 – Make promises they can’t, won’t or don’t want to fulfil!
In religion, “We want to help you! We want to save you!” “You need saving!” “Believe in X, and X shall set you free!”
Stage 2 – Cut you off from people in your life!
“Your friends & family need saving! Otherwise you need to drop them from your life because they’re bringing you down!”
Stage 3 – You’re now ‘believing’, ‘alone’… and confused. Time to move in and completely undermine your self-worth, self-trust, autonomy and ability to leave. Of course, by this time, your new community is your life, and excommunication is the ultimate
Stage 4 – Create fear to complete the control
They either threaten your personal safety or actually harm your person. They may do this in various ways from physical, emotional or intellectual means. They may even use threats of ‘damnation’, ‘hell fire’…
At this point, the manipulation has completed its circle. It’s either about to complete or fall apart. It’s subtle, and you may not perceive each step as distinct from each other.
Did Donald Trump try this?
- Stage 1: Vote for me! Don’t like X…? Vote for me! I’ll fix it!
- Stage 2: Manipulate me! Cut me off from my friends by repeating his lies as if they were true!
- Stage 3: Give me your money to fund my campaign! Vote for me!
- Stage 4: Or else! Physical Violence (Jan 6 Riots), Emotional Violence (Women, Immigrants, LGB-groups, …) etc.
Well, the answer is yes!