Stacy Abrams, former Georgia gubernatorial candidate, and political commentator Ezra Klein recently explored President Donald Trump’s influence over the MAGA movement on Abrams’ podcast, describing it as nearly religious in nature and imbued with a “mystical power.”
The discussion quickly attracted attention online, sparking debate over how Trump’s authority is perceived by his supporters.
During the episode, Klein explained, “Donald Trump’s impulses have become nearly religious emanations from a figure viewed within his own coalition as … mystic, having come back through the court cases and the assassination attempts.”
He suggested that Trump’s power extends beyond conventional political authority, with followers treating him more like a spiritual leader than a president.
Abrams expanded on the point, questioning whether elections could truly remove Trump from power if he were regarded as a “grand ayatollah.”
“If it is true that he’s a grand ayatollah, that mystical power extends and can be—you know—he can anoint his, you know, his prophets and he can remain in power even if he doesn’t hold the title of president,” she said.
She added that under such circumstances, elections might offer limited solutions.
“If that’s the case, then there’s no relief from this that is achieved by election.