Opinion: There's only one victim of Trump Derangement Syndrome--Donald Trump
Trump's Truth Social post on the deaths of Rob Reiner and his wife is appalling. What's it going to take for his MAGA faithful to wake up and realize he's unfit for office?
The president of the United States likes to blabber about a malady he calls “Trump Derangement Syndrome.”
He imagines it is a disease that afflicts his critics. It hasn’t occurred to him that there is only one person in the world with this mental illness:
Himself.
Trump is a malignant narcissist, many psychologists believe. Said less technically, he’s deranged. Among those agreeing with that diagnosis is the renowned clinical psychologist and Trump’s niece, Mary Trump. And she’s hardly alone.*
Most people know this already. Most likely, everyone reading this.
The lingering question we’ve wondered has been:
At what point will Donald Trump’s behavior become so obnoxious, so offensive, so clearly disconnected from reality that it will finally penetrate the ranks of his cult of personality known as MAGA?
Because that will represent a tipping point, a moment of no return when his supporters finally get it through their muddled heads that their messianic hero is just a madman, the would-be emperor with no clothes.
I wonder if that moment hasn’t now arrived with Trump’s insane rant today about the tragic deaths of Hollywood legend Rob Reiner and his wife, Michelle.
This is what he wrote on Truth Social:
This is the defining characteristic of a malignant narcissist: Thinking that it’s always about himself.
The sun rises—it rises for him.
A Nobel Peace Prize is awarded—it should have been his.
An election loss—it can only be explained by his opponent cheating.
The Reiners murdered in their own home—it’s because they had Trump Derangement Syndrome and failed to acknowledge his greatness. They died because they failed to worship at the Trump altar.
He really thinks that.
We know this is not normal behavior. Anyone whose mind works like this is utterly unfit to be president of the United States.
Heck, if someone were blathering like this on your front porch, you would bolt the door.
It will be interesting to see if this post from Trump gets the attention it deserves from right-wing media, where so many of the Trump faithful exclusively get their news.
But this is not a partisan issue. This is a national crisis that transcends political affiliations. Democrat, Republican, independent—it doesn’t matter.
You can be part of ensuring this does not get sanewashed. Talk it up, forward this to your friends. People need to know.
Thank you,
J.C. Bruce
*Why so many psychologists say Trump is a malignant narcissist:
Behavioral patterns: Several hundred mental health professionals have signed open letters and participated in documentaries arguing that Trump’s public behavior meets the criteria for malignant narcissism. This unofficial diagnosis is described as a combination of narcissism, paranoia, antisocial personality disorder (sociopathy), and sadism.
Specific examples: Proponents point to a pattern of behavior, including a lack of remorse, a disregard for social norms and laws, a need for excessive admiration, the alleged enjoyment of inflicting pain on others, and the tendency to label anyone who disagrees a “rat” or an enemy.
Professional opinions: Psychologists like John Gartner, who taught at Johns Hopkins University Medical School, have explicitly stated that Trump “suffers from malignant narcissism,” considering it a dangerous diagnosis more severe than mere narcissistic personality disorder.
J.C. Bruce, journalist and author, is the founder of Tropic Press. He holds dual citizenship in the United States of America and his native Florida.
More online
Thank you for reading the Tropic Press newsletter. You also have access to the Tropic Press website for additional and previous posts, an archive of posts from our advice columnist, Miss Mingo, occasional guest commentaries, and information about The Strange Files series of mysterious adventures and other books.
Thanks to our sponsor
Today’s report is brought to you by Tropic Press Books, home of The Strange Files. You can find more information about these hilarious stories here:
It’s good to share
Tropic Press is a reader-supported publication. Here’s a big shout-out to all our loyal subscribers. Feel free to forward this email to your friends so they can enjoy it too. The more people we reach, the greater community of like-minded people we build. This is your chance to be part of all that. Thank you.
So well spoken. It’s time to hit the streets again for another “No Kings”demonstration ! Almost every day there is a new more outlandish outburst.
For those of us who consider "truth social" an oxymoron and never would have seen that particular sick rant, thank you for posting it. Unfortunately, the brain rot of the MAGA set, has progressed way beyond their ability to recognize reality. Trump would have to foam at the mouth and soil himself during a rally for them to suspect he might be off, and they will still rationalize it. He truly represents his base.