EXPERTS: TRUMP IS DANGEROUS

The Dangerous Donald Trump

In 2017, a group of psychiatrists sounded the alarm in a book titled The Dangerous Case of Donald Trump, warning that his narcissism, lack of empathy, and sociopathic tendencies made him a potential danger to democracy and the stability of the nation. Their warning was primarily dismissed as partisan rhetoric or speculation at the time. However, today, with the mounting evidence of Donald Trump’s behavior, those warnings have proven disturbingly accurate. We ignored them at our peril, and now we see the consequences.

The latest example comes in the wake of a tragic airplane crash at the National Airport. In a moment when the nation needed empathy, unity, and leadership, Trump provided none. He did not express sincere sympathy for the victims or their families. Instead, he did what he always does: deflect blame and attack his political opponents. Rather than offering condolences or any meaningful response, Trump blamed the Democrats for allegedly allowing the conditions that led to the accident. This is not the behavior of a compassionate leader, it is the behavior of a narcissist so consumed with self-interest that even tragedy becomes an opportunity for political exploitation.

A Pattern of Narcissistic Psychopathy

Trump’s inability to show empathy is not new. It is a defining feature of his public persona and a hallmark of what many mental health professionals have described as narcissistic psychopathy. Psychopaths are characterized by their lack of empathy, manipulative behavior, and callous disregard for others. An insatiable need for attention, adoration, and validation drives narcissists. Trump embodies both.

Consider his response to natural disasters. In the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, which devastated Puerto Rico, Trump did not focus on relief efforts or the suffering of the people. Instead, he fixated on the island’s financial troubles and how they inconvenienced him politically. When the COVID-19 pandemic ravaged the country, killing hundreds of thousands of Americans, Trump’s primary concern was not public health but his re-election prospects. He downplayed the severity of the virus, spread misinformation, and even suggested dangerous and unscientific remedies—all while refusing to take responsibility for the crisis.

Cruelty as a Feature, Not a Bug

Trump’s cruelty is not incidental but central to his leadership style. He mocks the disabled, belittles women, and dehumanizes immigrants. He separates children from their parents at the border and detains them in cages. He attacks Gold Star families and war heroes while praising authoritarian dictators. His behavior is unbecoming of a leader and a moral failure of the highest order.

Psychologists have long warned that individuals like Trump are not merely unfit for leadership; they are dangerous. Their inability to empathize makes them indifferent to the suffering of others. Their need for admiration leads them to make decisions based on personal gain rather than the common good. Regardless of the consequences, their vindictiveness drives them to punish anyone who challenges them. This is not speculation; it is a pattern we have seen repeatedly throughout Trump’s presidency and beyond.

The Cost of Ignoring the Warnings

When mental health professionals warned us in 2017, many dismissed their concerns as alarmist. But hindsight has vindicated them. We have seen Trump undermine democratic institutions, incite violence, and sow division on an unprecedented scale. We have seen him prioritize his interests over the nation's well-being. We have seen him betray allies, coddle adversaries, and spread lies that have torn the fabric of our society.

And yet, despite all this, millions continue to support him. Why? Because Trump’s narcissistic manipulation is not just a personal pathology, it is a political weapon. He exploits fear, resentment, and ignorance to maintain his grip on power. He convinces his followers that he alone can save them, even as he leads them down a path of destruction.

A Clear and Present Danger

Donald Trump is not just unqualified to be a leader; he is a threat to the very foundations of our democracy. His narcissism makes him incapable of putting the nation’s interests above his own. His psychopathy makes him indifferent to the suffering he causes. His vindictiveness makes him a danger to anyone who stands in his way.

The psychiatrists warned us in 2017, and we didn’t listen. But we cannot afford to ignore the warnings any longer. The evidence is overwhelming. The danger is real. And the time to act is now. America cannot survive another term of Donald Trump’s narcissistic psychopathy. For the sake of the nation, for the sake of democracy, and the sake of our collective future, we must reject him and everything he represents.

William James Spriggs