Trump not alone on big narcissism stage

For the second article in this series, it will be helpful in our analysis of Trump’s narcissism to compare his behavior to a former U.S. President who was noted for his narcissism: Theodore (Teddy) Roosevelt. This man was vain, self-important, egoistic, and bombastic. His narcissism is rated second in the Pew study (see Tuesday’s article). Roosevelt loved slaughtering bison and other vulnerable critters on a mass scale, once bragging that a “beast” he had wounded (a rhinoceros) that was charging him had “meant mischief.” Meant mischief? Yes, after being ambushed with a gun, most creatures would react with “mischief.” Like many vain-glorious people, Teddy often looked at situations only from his point of view.

But he also displayed great empathy and sympathy for both strangers and loved ones. He was a sickly kid who overcame serious childhood diseases, such as asthma. It is no wonder he adopted an assertive personality, partially to survive. His eldest daughter, Alice Roosevelt Longworth, offered this observation about her father: “When Theodore attends a wedding he wants to be the bride, and when he attends a funeral, he wants to be the corpse.” I think it fair to say that such an attitude had a twinge of narcissism to it.

Yet with all his bombast and self-serving behavior, Teddy Roosevelt is considered by many historians to have been an exceptionally fine president. Among other accomplishments, he busted up large business cartels, established the national park system, and was instrumental in having the Panama Canal built.

I am reminded of a quote he made about character. It could have come from the mouth of Donald Trump as well: “I care not what others think I do, but I care very much about what I think of what I do!”

However, Roosevelt did not make it a habit of insulting and denigrating his opponents, certainly not to the extent that Donald Trump does. Roosevelt’s statement “Speak softly, carry a big stick, and you will go far” is in marked contrast to Trump’s constant swaggering boasts. How can we relate to a person who brags, “My IQ is one of the highest — and you all know it! Please don’t feel so stupid or insecure. It’s not your fault.”

Roosevelt was a narcissist, but not in the conventional sense of a dictionary definition. He treated people with respect and valued their worth. In spite of his nature, he exhibited self-control. This writer does not discern in Donald Trump a manageable form of narcissism, such as that of Theodore Roosevelt.

Key word: Disorder

The distinguishing word in narcissistic personality disorder is disorder. As mentioned, narcissism can be part of a person’s makeup, and this person can lead an ordered life. Extreme narcissism (NPD) is another matter, and often leads to behavior that brings about disorderly, even chaotic situations.

Take Narcissus, for example, the man from whom this condition is named. Narcissus thought himself so good-looking that the Greek version of the myth had him die from malnutrition by a riverbank while he admired his reflection in the water. This description would fit most people’s idea of a disordered mentality: reflecting on one’s face in lieu of feeding it.

After reading the article in Harper’s, I thought about other people I knew or had read about who exhibited narcissistic personality disorder traits. For several years, I had been reflecting about the behavior of Donald Trump. Upon thinking about my friend’s email, I could not help but draw a parallel between Donald Trump and narcissistic personality disorder (NPD). However, until Trump became a significant factor in the U.S. presidential race, I usually ignored the man as being a harmless narcissist, an obnoxious, intelligent, self-serving buffoon.

I do not have the credentials to diagnose Mr. Trump’s mental health and will not attempt to do so here. But using the concepts of NPD, Trump’s behavior can at least be placed in a frame of reference.

Many details of Trump’s behavior might not have been known to the public had it not been for Tony Schwartz, the ghostwriter of Trump’s book, “The Art of the Deal.” He was allowed to shadow Trump for 18 months, which included attending meetings and listening-in on telephone conversations. During this time, Schwartz kept a journal about his personal dealings with Trump and his impressions of Trump’s behavior.

This journal is summarized in a New Yorker article (July 25, 2016). Given that Donald is the Republican nominee for the upcoming term for the U.S. President, the article does not make for reassuring reading. But then, upon his coming to the political scene, I have had a sense of unease about the man. He reminds me of a loose cannon ball on the deck of a ship during a storm.

Trump’s Following

I have said in other writings that I understand why so many citizens have cast their lot with politicians who are anti-government. In a separate series posted on my blog (Blog.UylessBlack.com), I document hundreds of examples of the failure of America’s private and public sectors to treat the average American citizen fairly. [Scroll down the blog page and click on “Epilogues to The Nearly Perfect Storm” (series number 8).]

Trump has a huge base of loyal supporters. You may be among them. Certainly, Trump has brought up several issues that are being glossed-over by most of the national politicians, such as illegal immigration, the waste of America’s resources, and international trade agreements that reward companies’ owners but not the companies’ workers. Like Bernie Sanders, he is on target about many American citizens’ disgust with the politics of Washington, D.C., and their revulsion by the behavior of national politicians.

Thus, I agree with some of Trump’s stand on issues. However, it is the manner in which he addresses America’s pressing problems that I find disturbing. As well, some of his assertions are ludicrous.

How much is too much?

It will be of little use to rehash the statements Trump has made that have gone beyond the pale of even today’s vicious name-calling politics. They are headlined practically every day in the media. While disturbing unto themselves, his refusal to move beyond generalities to address many important issues in detail should alarm even his supporters.

However, I cannot bring myself to remain silent on his disparagement of John McCain’s prisoner of war experience, his mocking of a woman’s menstrual cycle, or his insulting the parents of a fallen (Muslim) American warrior. What is amazing is that for most politicians, just one of these uttered slurs would result in their being pushed out of a presidential race. It seems Trump’s strategy is to pile one smear upon another so quickly that the average citizen cannot absorb the complete inventory of his aberrational affronts.

In the final article of this series Thursday, we’ll review some of Mr. Trump’s statements about Americans and compare them to those of Theodore 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.