Posted with permission by Sue Cohen, aka Sue in Rockville, with special thanks to Dr. Peter for his Psychiatric expertise and fact-checking.
Donald Trump has been posturing since the 1990s about possible presidential bids. What changed in the past few years to finally make his campaign a reality?
It took a satirical Presidential jab at his pretentiousness and bombast. Thanks Obama! His masterful Correspondent's Dinner performance from 2011 here.
The New York Times' Maggie Haberman reported that
Trump’s turning point happened after President Obama ribbed him at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in March 2011. The camera showed a tight fixed grimace on his face and a cursory wave to the crowd. But once the camera was off, Trump immediately departed
Poor wittle Donny got his feelings hurt! And by a big Black man! Trump's history of expressing racist, xenophobic, sexist, and plain old ugly comments has been well documented, but his desire for the presidency is not a case of his wanting to serve, only to win! He’ll show that big Black man he can be President, too! It is his twisted self-serving version of “The Apprentice.” Click here for the 25 worst things Trump has said.
What Makes Donald Trump Run?
He exhibits to a "T" the criteria of two mental disorders: Pathological Narcissism & Compulsive Lying.
Here is a short review of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V)'s definition of Narcissistic Personality Disorder
- Persons with this disorder may come across as conceited, boastful, or pretentious. They often monopolize conversations. They belittle or look down on people they perceive as inferior.
- They have trouble handling any comments perceived as criticism. They are thin-skinned due to secret feelings of insecurity, shame, vulnerability, and humiliation. They will react to any form of criticism with rage or contempt, and try to belittle the other person.
Specific criteria for narcissistic personality disorder include these features:
- Having an exaggerated sense of self-importance
- Expecting to be recognized as superior, even without achievements that would warrant it
- Exaggerating achievements and talents
- Believing that they are superior
- Requiring constant admiration
- Having a sense of entitlement
- Expecting special favors and unquestioning compliance
- Taking advantage of others to get what they want
- Having an inability or unwillingness to recognize the needs and feelings of others
- Being envious of others and believing others envy them
- Behaving in an arrogant or haughty manner.
Does this description of pathological narcissism hit close to Trump’s home?
If we apply these criteria when looking at his daily behaviors, you quickly see these traits on flagrant display. One glaring example of Trump’s narcissism is his making no serious attempt to study the complexities and global issues facing the next President. He issues a few standard "applause lines" designed to inflame and create rancor. They always have a self-serving quality to them, to advertise his superior importance and wealth. (We're going to build THAT WALL!)
We are certainly not the first people to notice this. Here's a compendium.
From Vanity Fair: Is Donald Trump Actually a Narcissist? Therapists Weigh In!
From Esquire: Donald Trump Doesn't Need Our Attention, He Needs Our Pity.
In addition to Pathological Narcissism, Trump displays its cousin, Compulsive Lying.
From Psychology Today: Donald Trump and Our Obsession With Narcissistic Leaders.
“While narcissists may look like good leaders, according to a new study by a group of psychology researchers from the University of Amsterdam, they’re actually really bad at leading. The study is in the journal, Psychological Science [link is external].” Here is the Psychological Science abstract:
“Although they are generally perceived as arrogant and overly dominant, narcissistic individuals are particularly skilled at radiating an image of a prototypically effective leader. As a result, they tend to emerge as leaders in group settings. Despite people’s positive perceptions of narcissists as leaders, it was thus far unknown if and how leaders’ narcissism is related to the actual performance of those they lead. We proposed and found that although narcissistic leaders are perceived as effective due to their displays of authority, leaders’ narcissism actually inhibits information exchange between group members and thereby negatively affects group performance.”
Simply put, STRONG & WRONG may appeal to people who prefer an authoritarian style of behavior, but it is terrible for American democracy!
Yesterday Trump refused to be in any further GOP Debates: Read his words-Look at the constant use of “I.” Remember this pursuit is all about HIM!
How Best to Expose Trump and Thwart His Perverted Ambitions?
As Late Night Show host Seth Meyers suggested? Satire!
Mock him mercilessly. You can also use Twitter, Facebook, e-mail, or any form of social media. Post & share. See Seth's tutorial here.
The failure of too many in Corporate Media to fact-check Trump’s bloviating has allowed him a virtual Free Pass. In fact, his lies have become such an avalanche that PolitiFact.org “honored” him with the Lie of the Year:
An excellent example of this Free Pass was seen at the recent Press Conference that looked more like an infomercial on QVC:
Again, it took comedians to do the fact checking.
Jordan Klepper of “The Daily Show” debunked every one of Trump’s lies about his branded products: Daily Show Debunks Trump Steaks, Wine, Magazine: ‘It’s All Bullsh*t’.
On March 11th, stand-up comedian-in-chief, President Obama took his turn: Obama mocks Trump steaks, wine - CNN Video
The only organization Donald Trump is capable of leading as president is The Pathological Liars Anonymous Club.
But Jon Lovitz might have something to say about that!
