The notion that Donald Trump is losing his mind is immediately suspect because it requires the presumption that he had a stable one to begin with. There is substantial evidence that Trump’s mental deficiencies have plagued him for decades, particularly the likelihood that he is suffering from Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD).
Bobby Azarian, a cognitive neuroscientist at George Mason University, makes the case for Trump’s NPD in an article that delves into Trump’s psychosis. He warns of the potential risks of giving someone exhibiting such symptoms control over our nuclear codes:
“While a narcissistic personality might be one of the traits that allowed Trump to be such a successful businessman and reality TV star, it is also the trait that makes him potentially dangerous as a political leader.”
However, Trump’s cognitive failures extend beyond his obvious egomaniacal tendencies. He also appears to be exhibiting symptoms of dementia and severe memory impairment. Never mind that he repeatedly asserts that he has “one of the best memories of all time,” his recent lapses tell a different story. For instance…
On January 14, 2016, at the GOP debate, Trump spoke about the controversy over whether Ted Cruz is eligible to run for president under the constitutional requirement of being a “natural born citizen” (a controversy that Trump himself incited).
“You have great constitutional lawyers that say you can’t run. If there was a – and you know I’m not bringing a suit. I promise. But the Democrats are going to bring a lawsuit, and you have to have certainty.”
Then, just three days later, Trump apparently forgot his promise and, when George Stephanopoulos suggested that he might have the necessary legal standing to bring a lawsuit, Trump said…
“Wow, that sounds like a very good case. I’d do the public a big favor. It’s a good idea. Maybe I’ll talk to them about it.”
That’s a three day turnaround from swearing on national TV that he wouldn’t file a lawsuit, to being highly interested in the idea. Another example that also involves Trump’s current closest rival for the GOP nomination, Trump responded in December to talk about a growing rift between him and Cruz:
“I really like Ted Cruz a lot. He’s doing well. I’m doing well. It’s not a contest between the two of us.”
Then, the following month, he once again was asked about their souring relationship, and he gave a very different response:
“He’s a nasty guy. Nobody likes him. Nobody in Congress likes him. Nobody likes him anywhere once they get to know him.”
It didn’t take long to go from liking Cruz a lot to Cruz being “a nasty guy” who nobody likes. This is reminiscent of Trump’s stated feelings regarding Hillary Clinton. A couple of years ago he said that she was a “terrific” woman and a great Secretary of State, who he liked a lot (Bill too). These days he is saying that she was the “worst Secretary of State in history.”
On another occasion, Trump disgustingly mocked a reporter with disabilities. When he was challenged for such an obnoxious portrayal, he insisted that he wasn’t mocking anyone and that he didn’t know the reporter. But the reporter was able to prove that they did meet numerous times as he covered Trump’s business activities.
In addition to these lapses in memory, his broken mind also creates memories of incidents that never occurred. The most blatant example is his insistence that he personally saw news video of “thousands and thousands” of Muslims in New Jersey celebrating the fall of the World Trade Center towers on 9/11. Of course, there were no such celebrations and, therefore, no such videos. He also claims to have seen videos showing that Syrian refugees are almost entirely young men. In fact, the overwhelming majority of refugees are women and children.
How Fox News Deceives and Controls Their Flock:
Fox Nation vs. Reality: The Fox News Cult of Ignorance.
Available now at Amazon.
Donald Trump is a man that is clearly having difficulties discerning reality from fantasy. He cannot even recall things he said just a few days prior. When these incidents occur independently they may seem harmless and unimportant. But when viewed as a collection of recent cognitive failures, it is apparent that a real problem exists. Not only should he not be running for president, he should be getting medical attention under close observation.
I don’t think these are signs of his mind going, in fact all these are simply examples of Trump being…..well Trump. He doesn’t give a fuck about what he says because he supporters don’t either, so lies? Hypocrisy?
Who cares?
As long as his supporters love it he’ll say it, hypocrisy and lies be damned. And he certainly knows what his supporters love.
So he’ll keep at this schtick as he has always done since his birther debut in 2012.
Your Bullshitopedia itself shows that the most recent things that Trump has said is simply more of the same old sort of shit, it’s not insanity, it’s a strategy that has worked for him for his entire campaign so far.
Just Trump being Trump.
Trump is an arrogant, dominating, pridefully ignorant, homophobic, racist, xenophobic ASSHOLE! His followers are the lowest sewer level that mankind can offer.
He doesn’t sound any different than most politicians. You’re really reaching on this one. If anyone is a narcissist, it’s Obama.
Yeah. That Obama, he sure is uppity isn’t he? Thinks he’s so smart, negotiating instead of blasting everyone off the face of the earth. Lowering the deficit, making healthcare affordable to poor people, like they deserve it, just a big showoff huh? You cretin, crawl back into the sludge you sprang from and take Trump with you.
Linda, you’re the only one that mentioned uppity. ANd you left out other “accomplishments” of Obama like the 19 million dollar debt he is leaving us. The Obama economy is getting ready to tank. Who are you goin to blame for that? Healthcare afforadable? Really? With those $12,000 deductibles? Good luck with that.
Linda You are either mentally disturbed enough to not understand what you are saying or you are a liar. Obviously your racist hatred has left you incapable of rational thought. President Obama has never raped a woman. President Obama has acted with nobility, sacrifice and patience. President Obama is not a misogynist (look it up). President Obama doesn’t act unilaterally unless it is the last resort. President Obama is not a bigot, a racist or a liar. Trump makes Hitler look like Baby Jesus. Educate yourself!
Sorry this is for Marcos. Apologies Linda!
Kit, is name calling all you have. I never accused Obama of any of those things you mentioned. Grow up.
Marco you actually mentioned very little that wasn’t an insult. I offered every bit as much to this post as you did. However I told the truth.
http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/magazine/march_april_2012/features/obamas_top_50_accomplishments035755.php
I have long suspected Trump to have NPD. He is downright dangerous, because throngs of idiots will vote for him solely on the belief that his inflammatory rhetoric is truth. Every single GOP debate has been about character assassination instead of actual point/counterpoint debate. Childish finger pointing and endless bickering. Trump bankrolls his own campaign and has only his own cash to lose and a big audience of gullible uninformed people who cannot take the time to put preconceived notions aside long enough to do any fact checking. He is a danger to freedom, to democracy, and to world peace. God help us if by some hellish mistake he actually takes office. If he does, I am moving to Gilligan’s Island.
Trump simply highlights the fact that the entire cast of characters we see running for our highest office are signaling an existential crisis for us. Those best equipped to hold the office have the good sense to avoid it when there appears to be no appetite for a mature and deliberate discussion of relevant issues. We’re careening down a mountain and some of the wheels have fallen off.
So it is that we were treated to the Sarah Palin endorsement eruption this week, quickly followed by an endorsement from a Duck Dynasty cast member, and now rumor has it that the Trump campaign has feelers out to Larry the Cable Guy.