Analysis: Donald Trump, a study in narcissism
First in a three-part series
For months now, the media has focused on the extent to which Donald Trump displays narcissistic traits, such as a sense of self-importance and entitlement, with displays of arrogance and the belief of being special. Pew Research Center published a list that ranked presidents on “grandiose narcissism.” Here is Pew’s list of the Top 10 narcissistic presidents:
1. Lyndon Johnson
2. Theodore Roosevelt
3. Andrew Jackson
4. Franklin Roosevelt
5. John Kennedy
6. Richard Nixon
7. Bill Clinton
8. Chester A. Arthur
9. Andrew Johnson
10. Woodrow Wilson
Quoting the Pew study: “…Grandiose narcissism is a distinctive type of narcissism characterized by exhibitionism, attention-seeking, inflated demands of entitlement and denial of weaknesses. …Presidents are more narcissistic than the average American. Moreover, the level of grandiose narcissism in presidents has increased in recent decades.”
From an examination of the list above, it is obvious a high level of narcissism does not disqualify a person from being the United States President. But can a person exhibit narcissism that is so excessive it disqualifies the individual from carrying out the duties of the presidency? That is the question the three articles in this series address.
Donald Trump’s book, “The Art of the Deal,” was a major factor in making the man known to the American public. The book was ghostwritten by Tony Schwartz. Ghostwriters attempt to identify with the person for whom they are writing, to put themselves in the shoes of their subject. Nonetheless, Schwartz admits he made a Faustian bargain by taking on this project, partially because he came to realize how narcissistic the man is — to the point that Schwartz states Trump could not interact with his own ghostwriter!
Schwartz said, “But I knew I was selling out. Literally, the term was invented to describe what I did.” Schwartz made millions of dollars on the book by passing off what contains a substantial amount of fiction as nonfiction.
Last week, I received an email from a friend and former business colleague. Part of his correspondence reads as follows (it is paraphrased to remove his identity and some four-letter words):
I will not vote for Hillary under any circumstances that I can envision. On the other hand, the GOP offering is [irritating]. The way Trump is behaving, Clinton should be sending him a check and supporting his campaign. I am actually entertaining the possibility that he’s a Clinton mole. It’s hard to accept that a serious candidate would act so much against his own interest, day after day.
My friend’s last statement captures why so many people cannot get a handle on Mr. Trump. Time and again, Donald Trump shoots himself in his political foot, seemingly without regard for the wreck he is making of his campaign and America’s conservatives at large.
As of this writing, it appears Trump cannot curtail his behavior. It appears he cannot change, even when loyal and powerful supporters beseech him to at least tone down his self-aggrandizement and his inflammatory, hateful oratory.
Why continue to tread a path that is destroying any chance of his election and is tearing apart the Republican Party? Many Americans mistrust and even dislike Hillary Clinton. Why not go the high road and take advantage of this fact? If Donald Trump would stop alienating so many people with personal insults and focus his attention on America and not America’s personalities or his need for bombastic flair, he might actually make it a tight race with Clinton.
The polls of support for Trump are sinking like a lead weight. Yet, he continues down the road to self-destruction. Why? A clue is offered by the American Psychiatric Association.
Narcissistic Personality Disorder
In 1980, the American Psychiatric Association introduced the term “narcissistic personality disorder” as “behavior that deviates markedly from the expectations of the individual’s culture.” This human trait is distinguished from personality problems such as anxiety and depression, which may come and go depending on the condition of our mental makeup and the circumstances in our lives.
Unlike mood swings, the departure, say, of an uninvited guest from someone’s home will not cause narcissistic personality disorder to take a temporary leave from a person’s character. As a study in Harper’s Magazine claims, a “personality disorder is something you are.” We cannot will it into nonexistence. Drugs will not mask its presence. Vodka will not wash it away. If we have the affliction, it is part of our being.
The word “narcissistic” is associated with other words, such as egoistic, vain, selfish, self-important, conceited, and self-absorbed. It is not a word that most of us wish to have associated with our persona. Of course, most people exhibit degrees of narcissism and some acts of narcissism can be beneficial to a person who comes into contact with narcissists. The list of narcissistic presidents cited above attests to this fact.
Levels of narcissism
For this article, and considering the American Psychiatric Association’s definition, my view of narcissism differs from dictionary definitions. I make this distinction in order to examine more closely the behavior of Donald Trump.
To begin this discussion, here are two dictionary definitions of narcissism. One definition is, “extreme selfishness, with a grandiose view of one’s own talents and a craving for admiration…” Another is, “excessive or erotic interest in oneself and one’s physical appearance.” I do not view narcissism this harshly, as I believe there are different levels of narcissism; some healthy, some unhealthy.
Thus, it seems logical to state the American Psychiatric Association’s definition of narcissistic personality disorder aligns with someone who is beyond the narcissism displayed by many people; beyond ordinary narcissism, if you will.
The Mayo Clinic definition of narcissistic personality disorder is similar to the definitions above, but goes a step further: “a condition in which people have an inflated sense of their own importance, a deep need for admiration and a lack of empathy for others. But behind this mask of ultraconfidence lies a fragile self-esteem that’s vulnerable to the slightest criticism.” The italics are made by this writer to emphasize that people who suffer from NPD cannot tolerate reproach or denouncement.
Therefore, this disorder differs from run-of-the-mill narcissism (if there is such a thing) in that a narcissistic personality disorder causes problems in many areas of life, such as relationships, work, school, or political and business affairs.
On Wednesday, Part 2 will focus on another narcissist — one we know well: Theodore (Teddy) Roosevelt.
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Uyless Black is a prolific researcher and professional writer whose undergraduate degree is in psychology. He later obtained graduate degrees in computer systems as well as money and banking. He resides in Coeur d’Alene.