"And so, the only people who could buy into this new scenario were oldies, like me, who recited the “motivational speaker” party-line while mutely believing that in fact he is still the lord, temporarily unable to disclose his real identity to the world."

This is very interesting. PR., M. or whatever has turned all premies to liers! It should had been to hard for him to be the only one to lie consiously so there where two options. Either quit or turn all premies like him! (There is always the scenario that he believes he is a Master etc. etc. but still the lie is there!)