Make People Addicted to You: Manipulation Techniques from Trump and More — Daily Persuasion Ep. 281

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ABOUT TODAY'S EPISODE:

Want people hanging on your every word? There’s a science to making yourself irresistible — and it’s not what you think.

In Episode 281 of Daily Persuasion with Joshua Lisec, “Make People Addicted to You: Manipulation Techniques from Trump and More,” Lisec unpacks the psychological hacks behind cult-like influence — from Trump rallies to TikTok toxic exes — and shows you how to ethically reverse-engineer that power for your own message.

This isn't theoretical. This is war-tested persuasion used by the likes of Donald Trump, Pam Bondi, Dan Bongino, Kash Patel, and meme warriors like Benny Johnson. Lisec, a New York Times bestselling ghostwriter and certified hypnotist, peels back the curtain on how to persuade someone to do something without ever seeming like you’re trying.

The episode begins with a now-viral insult from Cliff Maloney aimed at Jasmine Crockett, comparing her to a squeaky shopping cart — “lots of noise, no progress.” This example sets the stage for a brutally honest breakdown of persuasion techniques that aren’t polite, clean, or gentle — but work like a drug.

Through this lens, Lisec unpacks the psychological addiction cycle that powers both Trump news junkies and people trapped in toxic relationships. These are the exact same manipulation techniques psychology recognizes as “intermittent reinforcement,” and you’ll recognize them instantly. It's the same cycle you see in Trump Epstein conspiracies or the endless drip of “bombshell revelations” teased (and never delivered) by political operatives. Every day is the day. Every day, “it’s coming.” Every day… nothing happens. And yet — you can’t look away.

Lisec explains why this works using powerful persuasion psychology and psychology tricks. It’s not about facts. It’s about anticipation — the kind that creates dopamine-fueled hope and keeps people coming back. The result? People become addicted to the source. Politicians do it. Content creators do it. Even manipulative lovers do it. It’s gross. And it works.

This episode dives deep into manipulation techniques psychology in relationships, drawing parallels between toxic dating dynamics and political media cycles. That viral TikTok soundbite — “I love toxic guys” — echoes the same pattern found in political addiction. It’s all persuasion, and Lisec reveals the overlap between examples of persuasion in advertising and the gaslighting tactics you see from influencers and bureaucrats alike.

Lisec also decodes how Trump news cycles build emotional addiction: promises of justice, Trump Epstein leaks, scandals about the deep state — all just out of reach. Whether it’s Pam Bondi teasing indictments, Dan Bongino dropping “huge updates,” or Benny Johnson tweeting in all caps — it’s classic persuasive techniques disguised as truth-telling.

And this isn’t just about the right. Lisec acknowledges the same manipulation techniques are used by the left — from viral “They finally got him!” memes about Trump to smug liberal fan fiction about justice that never arrives. The psychology is the same.

Throughout the episode, Lisec returns to core techniques of persuasion in writing and persuasion examples from both media and relationships. He explains how to reverse-engineer these strategies for your own communication — to build authority, compel loyalty, and keep audiences (or clients, or even loved ones) coming back for more.

Want to command attention like Donald Trump? Want to understand the mechanics behind political obsession and romantic toxicity? Want to use manipulation techniques ethically to amplify your message?

Then watch Daily Persuasion Ep. 281: “Make People Addicted to You: Manipulation Techniques from Trump and More.”

Lisec pulls no punches. He gives you the raw psychology, the uncomfortable truths, and the tools to master the game — if you dare to use them.