Cult Experts Recommend Doing This When Talking To MAGA Relatives. Here's Why.

"In an era where misinformation spreads faster than the truth, and political extremism often feels more like a full belief system than a policy stance, many of us have found ourselves in painfully surreal situations. Maybe it's a relative who sends you a link to a fringe conspiracy site, or an old friend who insists the government is run by subterranean lizard people - and they mean it."

"Often, these interactions aren't just absurd or frustrating, they're heartbreaking. How do you keep a relationship alive when someone you care about seems captured by a worldview that's not only disconnected from reality, but openly hostile to yours? This guide was born from that question. We spoke with experts in cult recovery and high-control groups, including those familiar with the tactics, language and emotional binds of movements like MAGA to bring you practical tools for navigating these encounters."

Misinformation and political extremism can turn familiar relationships into surreal, painful encounters. Loved ones may embrace worldviews disconnected from reality and hostile to differing perspectives. Practical strategies grounded in cult recovery and high-control group experience prioritize maintaining connection over immediate confrontation or deprogramming. Core tactics include remembering who the person was, cultivating warmth and curiosity, and asking simple, concise questions you already know the answers to. The goal is to survive exhausting interactions, preserve relationships, and create openings that help the person recognize their unhappiness and consider disengaging from harmful beliefs.

Read at HuffPost