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Gaslighters/narcissists get others to do their dirty work. People that carry messages for gaslighters are referred to as “flying monkeys,” after the characters in the movie version of The Wizard of Oz. In the movie, flying monkeys followed the Wicked Witch’s commands unquestioningly. In the workplace, gaslighting employers will transmit messages through another employee or their support staff. Gaslighters believe firmly in “kill the messenger,” even if it means they do the metaphorical killing.
Using flying monkeys is a classic gaslighting strategy. The gaslighter doesn’t care who speaks for him as long as the person gives their undying loyalty. As Michael Cohen learned, undying loyalty to a gaslighter does not mean one receives loyalty in return.
Regarding President Trump's firing of FBI director James Comey, Sarah Sanders said during a press briefing, "I've heard from countless members of the FBI that are grateful and thankful for the president's decision." When a reporter asked Sanders, "You personally have talked to countless FBI officials, employees, since this happened. I mean, really?" Sanders answered, "Between like email, text messages, absolutely."
Special Counsel Robert Mueller's report states, "Sanders acknowledged to investigators that her comments were not founded on anything." In other words, Sanders lied.
Sanders is now on a damage control media tour and was interviewed on "Good Morning America" by George Stephanopoulos. After airing the clip of Sanders, Stephanopoulos says to Sanders, "That's a deliberate false statement." Sanders responded by referring to her previous comments as a "slip of the tongue." She then doubles down and continues, "it's no secret that a number of FBI, both current and former, agreed with the President's decision." Stephanopoulos asked Sanders, "Why can't you acknowledge that what you said then is not true?" Sanders says, in part, "I'm sorry that I wasn't a robot."
Does Sanders really believe what she says? The answer to that doesn't really matter to those that support Trump, as Sanders is still in the media spouting Trump's lines and rhetoric—and reinforcing her original lies. A gaslighter's flying monkeys will lie with impunity.
Eventually, Sanders will likely find out what happens when you defy a gaslighter. You are fired, criticized, and/or attacked. Ask anyone who has crossed Trump or wouldn’t follow his directives. There is a long list of invectives Trump has used against people with whom he was formerly associated. Why will Sanders find this out eventually? Because gaslighters almost always destroy their relationships.
Gaslighter’s supporters can be so blindingly loyal that they forget their original ambitions or sense of morals. Michael Cohen said, "Time and time again I felt it was my duty to cover up his dirty deeds rather than to listen to my own inner voice and my moral compass."
In the workplace, a boss will have a “flying monkey” that sends his gaslighting directives out to employees. If anyone dares confront the gaslighter, he will blame his messenger. Common responses are, “Oh, John gets carried away,” or, "I never told Sally to say that. I would never do that to you." Both are blatant lies.
If you are the flying monkey of a gaslighter, know that the gaslighter has no qualms about throwing you under the bus. It is just a matter of time. Keep that in mind when you are knowingly lying to others and going against your core beliefs, you may be punished in the legal system even more than the gaslighter. The gaslighter will lie and tell you that he never directed you to do anything. If you have identified your core beliefs as those of the gaslighter’s, it is time to do a deep analysis of how you got to this place. Only in confronting it can you be free of it.
When you see these types of "messengers" of gaslighters in your workplace, keep documentation of date, time, and use direct quotes. Do not save this information on an employer-owned device. When you see flying monkeys in society, call it out for what it is - blatant lying. More media outlets now use the word "lying" or "lies" in their headlines. Call it what it is. Also, when news anchors thank a guest at the end of an interview, the interview stops. A gaslighter's flying monkeys will continue to talk and get the last word in. Cut off the interview.
To the messengers of gaslighters—the gaslighter has no qualms about throwing you under the bus. Keep that in mind when you are knowingly lying to people and going against your core beliefs. If you have identified your core beliefs as those of the gaslighter’s, it is time to do a deep analysis of how you got to this place. Only in confronting it can you be free of it.
