Irving Janis, a Yale professor, introduced the concept of Groupthink, a phenomenon where tight-knit groups make poor decisions because the urge for unity drowns out critical thinking. This dynamic often plays out among supporters of abusers, who have been carefully groomed to defend them.

When a sexual abuser in a community is finally exposed, shockwaves spread through their circle. Friends, neighbors, even staunch allies rush to defend the abuser, insisting they’re kind and trustworthy. This reaction isn’t just denial; it’s the product of a deep, insidious grooming process, part of joining the group of supporters. Abusers are master manipulators who shape their image and gaslight those around them, making people doubt their own instincts. They build a loyal group of supporters who see them as compassionate and considerate. This isn’t accidental, it’s a core strategy, almost instinctive for abusers, who weave webs of control and confusion long before their crimes come to light.

As a psychologist focusing on abuse and trauma, I see these patterns in Israeli society today, scaled up to a national level. The manipulation and gaslighting are palpable, especially when you look at how certain political figures operate. At the center of this type of Groupthink turmoil is an impulsive and greed-driven leadership style that leaves the public reeling. U.S. President Donald Trump’s influence on Israeli politics is one example of how reckless ambition and self-interest can fuel national Groupthink. His erratic decisions and personal gain motives ripple across borders, and can impact the stability and trust within society everywhere.

Take the persistent claim that the previous U.S. election was stolen, a lie that Trump and his allies pushed relentlessly. Despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, this falsehood continues to sow division and confusion. The FBI’s recent and very controversial seizure of 2020 election ballots from Fulton County, Georgia, was spun to create the illusion of a stolen election, with Trump praising the agents involved. This strategy of gaslighting via spreading doubt, eroding trust, and making people question reality, is also now mirrored in Israeli political discourse, where loyalty often trumps truth. Trump’s involvement in Netanyahu’s legal situation by pressuring President Herzog to dismiss the charges smacks of just more such manipulation.

When Federal US agents intimidate citizens, act with impunity, or distort events, the narrative is always about protection and necessity. Yet, eyewitness accounts and videos tell a different story. When incidents contradict official versions, defenders don’t fully deny them; instead, they create enough doubt to avoid real accountability. The goal is to keep society divided, uncertain, and distracted, just like grooming victims to stay loyal. Even public health isn’t immune to this manipulation. Transparency suffers when officials dismiss concerns or hide crucial data, keeping the public compliant and confused. This pattern echoes the same psychological tactics of abuse: undermining trust, twisting truths, and exploiting fear to hold onto power.

What links these examples, from local communities to national leadership, to international impact, is a chilling similarity to abusive relationships. Whether it’s a predator controlling a small group or leaders shaping entire societies, the tactics are the same: control minds, rewrite narratives, and enforce conformity. Many in American society’s current Groupthink serve certain political agendas, yet it’s fragile, vulnerable to the whims and greed of impulsive leaders who shift priorities without warning. At the same time, Israel’s complex position— juggling a desire for peace and Trump’s new Board of Peace, where Trump has appointed himself as leader for life, while simultaneously saber-rattling in Denmark, Venezuela, and a war looming with Iran there is almost a whiplash effect in trying to follow the guidance. Trying to follow leadership that is erratic and self-serving only deepens confusion and mistrust. It is true that Trump has been good for Israel but watching his behavior and impulsive demands warrant clear headed awareness.

As a psychologist, I urge Israeli society to recognize these patterns. Survivors of abuse often struggle to trust themselves after being manipulated, and nations can suffer similar but more severe wounds when gaslighting goes unchecked. The path forward demands grounding in facts, seeking independent and credible sources, and holding leaders accountable. We are living in a moment where lies are weaponized, and abuse extends beyond personal boundaries into the political arena. We cannot follow blindly or we will be led into the Groupthink that Janis warned us of. But just as survivors reclaim their power, societies can too. It begins with naming the manipulation and recognizing the grooming, refusing silence, and demanding truth, transparency, and justice.

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)