A defining factor of former President Donald Trump's ascent to the kingmaker of the Republican party has been the unconditional loyalty of his supporters to their figurehead—even when that support demands a near-complete dismissal of reality.
Any elected official who breaks with Trump on even a single issue—such as Trump's own Vice President, Mike Pence, did on January 6—gets labeled a RINO and even faces violence. Pro-Trump conspiracy theories have led some supporters to abandon their families, as many did when QAnoners gathered in Dallas awaiting the return of John F. Kennedy Jr., whom they believed would be Trump's running mate in 2024. And as the world saw on January 6, Trump's onslaught of disinformation even led to a deadly failed insurrection.
Now, a former supporter of Trump's conspiracy theories regarding the 2020 election is speaking out about his own disillusionment.
Keith Scott, who lived in his car for a time in order to consistently attend Trump's "Stop the Steal" rallies, recently sat down with CNN's Elle Reeve to discuss his former support for Trump's election conspiracies, telling Reeve that its figureheads—MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell, pro-Trump lawyer Sidney Powell, and others—kept him waiting for revelations that would vindicate their fantasies—a vindication that would never come.
Watch the full segment below.
"How did I get caught up in this?" - A former Trump supporter tells @elspethreeve how he fell for Trump's election lies. pic.twitter.com/TgUcFydTgw
— OutFrontCNN (@OutFrontCNN) February 10, 2022
While Scott attended the Stop the Steal rally that immediately preceded the attack on the Capitol, he told Reeve of his reaction to the violence of that day:
"I had created this reverence for the leaders of Stop the Steal. I felt like I was, which is more than ironic looking back, helping prevent a second civil war. After January the 6th, I came here, and I kept mumbling, I feel like I just got out of a cult."
As Reeve pointed out, Scott continues to blame "both sides" and excuses the actions of what he now calls a "cult," all while still believing much of the lies about the 2020 election.
In the year since the Capitol attack, Scott continues to attend Trump rallies, this time promoting his website electionfraudcult.com. The site contains a page featuring a "cult of personalities," featuring Trump himself, along with conspiracy theorists like Alex Jones and Stop the Steal promoters like Ali Alexander. It also rails against Antifa and Black Lives Matter, claiming the former held a gun to him and that Black Lives Matter activists "spit on me because of my RACE."
Scott's CNN appearance generated a lot of opinions on social media.
The whole bunch of nuts, I mean Trump supporters, act like cult members. Been saying this for 5 years. https://t.co/5Z4Pd9XiVF
— Just Hampton (@jensfaboo) February 11, 2022
I’m not sure he’s left...but @elspethreeve asks all the right questions https://t.co/Qzwg0zzoIm
— Violet 🌺 (@VioletJazzi) February 10, 2022
A burning question of about 8 million Americans. https://t.co/WwSQhUNZih
— Paul van der Meer (@Paul_VanDerMeer) February 11, 2022
Others say Scott's insistence on defending the election lies and the actions of Trump supporters shows that he hasn't really left the cult at all.
He’s still in the cult and still cannot admit being wrong about everything. A racist and cannot admit it to himself.
Like those in the cult it’s all based on feelings and not facts. https://t.co/zjqV9U8z2Q
— Steven (@beaconspring) February 10, 2022
If you say you "WERE" in a cult,
but you still believe the doctrine of the cult,
you're still in the cult! https://t.co/h3uiHmSfa9
— Dan Appalachia (@ubiquitous817) February 10, 2022
‘Hi…I used to be in the #Trump cult. But I got out. Phew! I’m my own man now and can freely spew the same cultish conspiratorial nonsense as a free agent…’ @elspethreeve https://t.co/CX2OAStjxP
— Andy Ostroy (@AndyOstroy) February 10, 2022
This guy is still an IDIOT!🤦 https://t.co/OVx3O3BU6i
— Greg The Brahma Bull (@Greg43098140) February 11, 2022
The journalist was spot on with her questioning… this MAGA doesn’t take any responsibility for his part in the biggest attack on the democratic process in the USA… 😡 They ALL need to be held accountable for their actions!!! https://t.co/54L0pLNECZ
— Sheetal MSc. Protect Democracy 🏳️🌈🇺🇸🏳️🌈 (@sheetal0523) February 10, 2022
Pity cup empty…lock him up… https://t.co/u3otai42LN
— P.Salvati Norris (@NorrispPattie) February 11, 2022
Perhaps one of Reeve's most pointed questions sums up the public's reaction to Scott best: "Have you just switched from the cult to being a grifter?"
