Narcissists surround themselves with people who don’t question their lies. People who believe everything they tell them. This reinforces their ability to manipulate others- which is the most important thing to them. They often curate a circle of enablers—people who are either too naive, too dependent, or too afraid to push back. These individuals serve as reinforcement or validation, constantly affirming the narcissist’s delusions and boosting their fragile ego. The moment someone starts questioning or exposing their lies, the narcissist sees them as a threat. That’s when the smear campaigns start, or the person gets discarded or gaslighted into submission. The ability to manipulate is their primary form of control—it’s how they feel powerful, significant, and invulnerable.