There's a cult checklist in that
article linked in the OP. Let's see how many of those points apply to the tranch:
1. There is usually a pyramid-shaped structure that refuses criticism of the top levels. Members are expected to be unquestioning in their commitment to the leadership
Sort of? Troons refuse criticism in general, and to my knowledge they're all fairly committed to Phillip's wise leadership.
2. Members are manipulated and exploited through a system of rewards and punishments, and may be expected to give up their education, careers, and families to work at group-directed tasks.
Check. Joining the tranch often means cutting ties with the rest of the world (except when buying things to consoom of course)
3. Harm or the threat of harm may come to members or their families if they disobey
Haven't seen much evidence for this so far, although I'm sure they'd love to use their gun hoard on any ex-trancher or concerned relative they deem a fascist nazi.
4. Cult leaders tend to be charismatic, self-appointed, and claim to have a special mission in life
Phillip is, to normal people, anything but charismatic. To the troons, however, he must be some kind of a Liberacci. This too looks like a check, as he often mentions in news articles that his mission is to provide a "safe haven for trans folx" or other dumb shit along these lines.
5. A unique cult vocabulary has its own terminology or redefinition of terms.
Can't see any evidence of this, unless you consider normal troon newspeak a terminology of its own. That would be entirely fair, but its not unique to the tranch.
6. An elitist mentality (‘We are God’s chosen ones’, etc.) allows members to demonise those outside the group, seeing them as not worthy, of a lower consciousness etc.
Definite check. They look down to everyone around them to varying degrees as evidenced by their contempt for their neighbours.
7. Life is polarised; everything is seen in black/white, or good/evil.
Definite check. It's just "us vs. those evil transphobe nazis"
8. Happiness and ‘unity’ are based on performance. Anything less than 100% is not acceptable.
Don't think so. They seem to be lazy and work-shy more than anything. However, it could be that their idea of 100% is spending as much time as possible doing weird tranny/coomunist shit.
9. The group’s beliefs must be upheld at all costs. Irrespective of whether the group is religious, political or economic, the belief system takes priority over individual concern.
Check. Their belief system is above everything, even personal safety as evidenced by their careless gun waving/handling. I seriously doubt that anyone who even slightly dissented with whatever it is that they believe in would be tolerated for long.
10. An overriding principle in cults is that ‘The end justifies the means’; a view that allows cults to establish their own brand of morality, often outside normal social bounds.
Check. The end is a "safe place for trans folks". The means is grifting for money from clueless twitter retards and
abusing keeping alpacas in piss poor conditions.
That's at least 8/10 boxes checked.
