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This is what kissing the ring looks like. It's a loyalty test.

In Soviet Union it was a sign of loyalty not to question obviously false statistics and news. In Joe Rogan's circles is laughing at his shit jokes and praising his comic abilities in his podcast.

I think people are laughing at atrocious jokes forever just to be on right side of political climate at that time.

The power is real. The fear is real. The praise is the only fake thing.

In general, when there are no consequences for people's actions they don't change those actions.

It's about enforcing a power dynamic. Groveling and empty praise is about showing loyalty and control. Trump thinks enforcing this level of control over others is what success looks like.