Is Trump's personality a result of self-loathing?

[nightowl]

Why do so many people vote for him? That's the more important, interesting and difficult question.

Not just him of course. Milei, Bolsonaro. It seems like an act of self harm to vote for people like them who will work against your interests, yet people do it in their tens of millions.

The reason people flock to a right-wing populist like Trump who clearly doesn't give a shit about them is a bit baffling. There's another thread on that but I'm not sure I'm totally near the answer.

 

[krtek a houby]

I don't doubt that Trump's personality is the result of self-loathing on some level.

But it scarcely matters either way. Why do so many people vote for him? That's the more important, interesting and difficult question.

Not just him of course. Milei, Bolsonaro. It seems like an act of self harm to vote for people like them who will work against your interests, yet people do it in their tens of millions.

"He says what everyone is thinking, but he's not scared to say it" according to various Trumpists encountered online and irl, over the years.

Oh and because, kid you not, "he's honest"!

 

[Red Cat]

I don't doubt that Trump's personality is the result of self-loathing on some level.

But it scarcely matters either way. Why do so many people vote for him? That's the more important, interesting and difficult question.

Not just him of course. Milei, Bolsonaro. It seems like an act of self harm to vote for people like them who will work against your interests, yet people do it in their tens of millions.

Same thing, it's self-loathing. For Trump, the grandiosity is a psychological defence, others identify (unconsciously) with the defence.

 

[Monkeygrinder's Organ]

"He says what everyone is thinking, but he's not scared to say it" according to various Trumpists encountered online and irl, over the years.

Oh and because, kid you not, "he's honest"!

I think what they mean is authentic more than honest isn't it. And there's a grain of truth in that - he really is that much of a dickhead, he's not putting it on.

 

[phildwyer]

I'd also suggest that his greatest fear is one common to many with severe narcissistic traits - that of being shown-up for what he is and he will do/encourage anything that deflects from or transfers any responsibility/accountability on to absolutely anyone else.

I don't think he fears anything, I think he's oblivious to consequences and the opinions of others. Reminds me of Jeffrey Archer, casually wandering into the House of Lords the day after getting out of prison, totally shameless. It's bravery of a certain, megalomaniacal type, Castro had it too.

 

[pogofish]

I don't think he fears anything, I think he's oblivious to consequences and the opinions of others. Reminds me of Jeffrey Archer, casually wandering into the House of Lords the day after getting out of prison, totally shameless. It's bravery of a certain, megalomaniacal type, Castro had it too.

Dunno - I'd say that Trump displays a whole screed of deflecting/projecting behaviours.

Which yes, whilst it could be a sign of his bulletproof megalomania or at least a complete lack of any fellow-feeling/engagement with the rest of humanity, it could equally be very defensive - particularly to avoid being held to account or accept responsibility for literally anything and where money or at least his "wealth" is concerned, the contortions he has gone through to demonstrate/inflate his "worth" looks awfully fearful/defensive to me.

 

[two sheds]

Forensic psychiatrist on physical signs of Trump's mental decline: "Changes in movement and gait"

"His walk appears wide-based," Dr. Elizabeth Zoffman notes of Trump. "He has developed a swing of his right leg."

www.salon.com

Doesn't mention self-loathing, he does seem to loathe everyone else though.

Compares with Biden later on in the (incredibly long) piece

The most cogent example of President Biden’s cognitive abilities is his recent State of the Union Address. He spoke for 63 minutes, without a teleprompter during many points. There were no tangential digressions, no word-finding problems, his sentences and paragraphs were articulate, he was coherent, and there were no insults or other disinhibited behavior. At times he spoke slowly and purposefully and at other times he was passionate (not shouting). Throughout his speech, there were instances where his stutter caused him to start and pause but he was able to correct himself and not lose his train of thought.