Cult is the first season to significantly draw on events in the real world, starting with the town being divided in their response to Donald Trump winning the presidency. Bolstered by this win, an alt-righter begins to acquire the power of his own, which coincides with one resident being terrorized by people dressed as clowns. Whether she is crazy or there is a Donald Trump-loving, a clown-dressing cult in town is the central mystery of the season.