The dictionary definition of a narcissist is a person who has an excessive interest in or admiration of oneself. Self descriptions include being the best, biggest, brightest, smartest. Their vocabulary is an alphabet soup of superlatives.
It also defines a narcissist as one who thinks the world revolves around them. Regarding Trump, this is not without merit; our world really does revolve around him.
It isn’t just the sycophants who have been installed in Trump’s orbit, exuberantly validating every action that is shutting down our democracy every day. It’s the world leaders who also are also genuflecting to him in worship as a sign of respect. Why are they lowering themselves to the same worrisome level as our congress is doing?
Our enemies want to see our way of government being dismantled but for a different rationale from our current government. Our leaders feel Trump’s brand of leadership would make America stronger, but those around the world know that this is what would eventually topple our country off the pedestal of being the strongest in the world. So our enemies promote his authoritarian ways. But what about our allies? Why are they also catering to Trump’s whims with ingratiating words?
To those who think they are being played by Trump, we might want to think again. You don’t need a doctorate degree in psychology to understand that stroking the grossly inflated ego of a narcissist is the easiest way to get what you want. It is Trump who is being played and it should be terribly embarrassing to him if he only recognized it.
I personally know this works. I once had a narcissistic boss who once laid into me for something I did. She was really mad, but I interrupted her, saying, “Have you lost weight”? She immediately stopped yelling, smiled, and walked away. Another time, I was tasked with taking polaroid pictures of our staff. The first one I took met with her disapproval and she wanted another one. I knew she wouldn’t be satisfied with that one either, and I was right. As she was about to ask for yet another redo, I told her, “Fine, if you don’t like looking 28”. She smiled, thought about it, and agreed I was right.
My point is, even though this woman had a doctorate degree, no one is immune from flattery, most of all, a narcissist, which is like taking candy from a baby. Our allies are lavishing praise on Trump in the hopes that they can keep the world steady until he finally goes, at which point they hope that we will be able to recalibrate our government and return to our senses.
So just keep these two things in mind. When our enemies stroke Trump’s ego, it is with malevolent intent. When our allies do it, it is to contain him as best they can until we the voters do our job.
Trump lives in continual fear that he will be exposed as the weakest excuse for a stable, intelligent man. He not only surrounds himself with those who put him on a pedestal, he adorns the White House with garish, abhorrently distasteful gold décor that he believes will enhance his aura.
But as Claudius once said: He who strikes terror into others is himself in continual fear.
