By Elayne Savage, PhD
Pixabay
Imagining a future with Donald J. Trump as President is painful for me.
I get realty upset by his MAGA-related barrage of exaggerations and misrepresentations and, yes, downright lies which are so different from my own perceptions that they are confusing and sometimes feel 'crazy-making' to me.
However my even greater fears arise from the number of vindictive threats he has been making to anyone who disagrees with him – especially statements that can easily be interpreted by his more impressionable followers as encouragement to hurt or kill others.
And then magically as if to help me make my point, in Arizona last night discussing his feelings toward Liz Cheney the former president informed Tucker Carlson:
"Let's put her with a rifle standing there with 9 barrels shooting at her. Let's see how she feels about it. You know, when the guns are trained on her face."
Reports are that the comment leads folks to picturing Cheney in front of a firing squad.
The Trump team denies he meant this of course, but the way I see it, the real problem is that we have too-many times seen how these kinds of "invitations" from Trump have easily influenced some followers to attempt to hurt or kill those that who disagree with their views.
The Dark and Deadly Side of ‘Giving Permission’
https://www.tipsfromthequeenofrejection.com/2024/04/by-elayne-savage-can-stock-photo-robwilson39jpg-for-40-years-i-have-t.html
On July 15, 2016 I joined hundreds of psychotherapists in signing and circulating Bill Doherty’s ‘Therapist’s Manifesto’ – taking a stand on Trumpism.
As it turns out the Therapist’s Manifesto written 8 years ago actually foresaw most of the attitudes, behaviors and problems that came to be over the years.
Let’s take a look at this dedication and allegiance his followers have for Donald Trump.
According to many historians this allegiance borders on Cultism and I would have to agree. Let’s take a look at what I have blogged in the past about what experts have to say about cults and cult leaders.
Joe Navarro, a 25-year veteran of the FBI and author of Dangerous Personalities lists 50 cult leader characteristics.
Eight years ago I blogged some of these characteristics that seemed to me to describe Donald Trump:
– Has a grandiose idea of who he is and what he can achieve.
– Has a sense of entitlement - expecting to be treated special at all times.
– Has an exaggerated sense of power (entitlement) that allows him to bend rules and break laws.
– Publicly devalues others as being inferior, incapable, or not worthy.
– Haughtiness, grandiosity, and the need to be controlling is part of his personality.
– Anyone who criticizes or questions him is called an “enemy.”
– Habitually puts down others as inferior and only he is superior.
– Is deeply offended when there are perceived signs of boredom, being ignored or of being slighted.
– Treats others with contempt and arrogance.
– The word “I” dominates his conversations. He is oblivious to how often he references himself.
– Hates to be embarrassed or fail publicly - when he does he acts out with rage.
– Believes he possesses the answers and solutions to world problems.
– Seems to be highly dependent of tribute and adoration and will often fish for compliments.
Then several years later in July 2022 I realized how naïve my original list had been and that I would add more of Joe Navarro’s characteristics:
– Is preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, or brilliance.
– Requires excessive admiration from followers and outsiders.
– Is arrogant and haughty in his behavior or attitude
– Has an exaggerated sense of power (entitlement) that allows him to bend rules and break laws.
– Is frequently boastful of accomplishments.
– Behaves as though people are objects to be used, manipulated or exploited for personal gain.
– Acts imperious at times, not wishing to know what others think or desire.
– Believes himself to be omnipotent.
– Doesn’t seem to feel guilty for anything he has done wrong nor does he apologize for his actions.
– "Rigid," "unbending," or "insensitive" describes how this person thinks.
– Sees self as “unstoppable” and perhaps has even said so.
– Doesn’t think there is anything wrong with himself and in fact sees himself as perfection or “blessed.”
I’m amazed I missed so many Trump traits back then. Now that I that I better ‘know’ Donald J. Trump there are so many that I would have to include today. Now they seem so obvious and hard to miss!
Here are more of Joe Navarro’s characteristics that I would add now:
– Is preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, or brilliance.
– Requires excessive admiration from followers and outsiders.
– Is arrogant and haughty in his behavior or attitude
– Has an exaggerated sense of power (entitlement) that allows him to bend rules and break laws.
– Is frequently boastful of accomplishments.
– Behaves as though people are objects to be used, manipulated or exploited for personal gain.
– Acts imperious at times, not wishing to know what others think or desire.
– Believes himself to be omnipotent.
– Doesn’t seem to feel guilty for anything he has done wrong nor does he apologize for his actions.
– "Rigid," "unbending," or "insensitive" describes how this person thinks.
– Sees self as “unstoppable” and perhaps has even said so. – Doesn’t think there is anything wrong with himself and in fact sees himself as perfection or “blessed.”
Trumpism/Cultism/Populism Revisited
https://www.tipsfromthequeenofrejection.com/2022/07/trumpism-cultism-populism-revisited-.html
Earlier this year I wrote more about my concerns about what feels to me like a cult-like atmosphere:
The Pied Piper of Mar-a-Lago
https://www.tipsfromthequeenofrejection.com/2024/02/-the-pied-piper-of-mar-a-lago.html
If you are curious, there are yet another 25 or so characteristics that Joe Navarro lists –
Here’s the link to Navarro’s list of all 50 cult leader characteristics:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/spycatcher/201208/dangerous-cult-leaders
I really do believe we have some important choices to make regarding the destiny of our country.
Encouraging everyone to vote!
© Elayne Savage, PhD