I read a good book several years ago about how sociopaths came to be. Everytime, it was as infants/very young children, they failed to bond with a primary caregiver. It was the single most factor that set in motion their lack of empathy and their cruelty. Trump certainly fits that scenario. Every child deserves to be loved. However, crappy childhood or not, I do not excuse his behavior or hod choices in life. Most sociopaths only have the ability to harm a small amount of the population. This a-hole has the ability to harm millions. Just so sick and tired of hearing his voice, seeing his face and hearing about him.
I’m not trying to belittle your comment has the ability to harm millions not a true statement in these times during the pandemic he killed millions of Americans and he was the president with his rhetoric. Let’s not forget this he killed people. He’s not just a sociopath and a misogynist and a racist he killed Americans with his bullshit and I reiterate, how can you sorry not you how can they actually vote for him to be president again he’s a mass murderer with his rhetoric with his insurrection. Unbelievable that he’s even close in the race.
Thank you for clarifying what I had meant to say. I’m a nurse and was very ill and hospitalized for COVID in early January, 2021. Unfortunately, I was able to see firsthand, everyday at work, the misery that he brought because of how he handled COVID. I had never been sick in my life. So many people died that didn’t have to and it put in place a division in this country about public health that I had never seen before. I try and am unsuccessful as to how anyone can vote for him after 9 years. I feel bottom line, unless he’s going to give you a huge tax cut because you’re uber wealthy, your reason (whether you will admit it or not) is that you’re a racist. People are kidding themselves if they think that minorities aren’t racist either. Keeping America status quo supersedes your gender, your skin color and your sexuality. That’s why you see minorities, gays and women voting for him.
Christopher, I’m watching this unfold from across the pond in the UK and concur with everything you’ve said. The mass delusion among the republican, more specifically MAGA, crew is beyond belief. Trump has entitled the ignorant, rotten to the core and those who are too stupid to know they’re being manipulated. Now, amongst ‘ordinary’ folk this is bad enough. When powerful and very articulate commentators insult and deride Harris while championing trump (small ‘t’ deliberate!), something very sinister is afoot. I can’t help but intuit that misogyny, racism and greed for money/power are key to this demographic.
I agree with you. I will also say that when parents have children they don't really bond with, it is possible to grow beyond that. From my experience it takes a lot of work, but it is possible to learn to be empathetic and to love and to care.
Exactly. To think I'm his age yet an unwilling victim of his. My anger and disgust is painfully unbearable and leaves me sorry that I am not in a position to stop him.
Exactly. To think I'm his age yet an unwilling victim of his. My anger and disgust is painfully unbearable and leaves me sorry that I am not in a position to stop him.
Human Growth and Development classes in Nursing School coupled with Psychology classes, taught this teen- aged mother/ wife, how to give my 2 Belongings what I missed out of from my " parents" .
Thank Jesus for Grandma and my extended family members.
I feel your pain. What I can’t forgive is the number of very articulate, intelligent people who defend him, while defaming Harris. No doubt that is also about abuse of power for personal gain.
Racism has no IQ/education boundaries. Doesn't matter your level of education or how much money you make. I think we've (and I include myself) given people that are educated or wealthy a pass at times that we expect them to think and act intelligently. Not so. I've run across thousands of people in my nursing and law enforcement career to find out that you never know. Actually, some of the nicest people I've dealt with haven't been the most educated or wealthy. Common sense has nothing to do with any of that. In fact, if I had to choose between taking care of people on the lower socioeconomic level or wealthy, give me the poorer ones. Many are grateful for the care I've given them, don't have a sense of entitlement and actually had common sense. Rich people when they threaten to sue you, will spell your name right.
Mary, it is always quite interesting whenever you shed light on why your uncle is the way he is. I am unable to work up even an ounce of compassion for him, though. It’s too late for that. He’s way past redemption. All there is left is to deal with the damage he’s done and to make sure he cannot do any more.
I agree that Mary's analysis of her uncle is interesting because it explains why he is what he is. I don't feel she is advocating empathy for this vile, damaged man. Instead, Mary Trump offer a unique perspective on the essence of the donald's flaws and what americans should be aware of and prepared for.
Absolutely, his unfortunate and sad upbringing is an explanation, not an excuse. He had no control over what happened to him as a child, but as an adult he had every opportunity to seek help and heal from that trauma. And he not only chose not to get help, he has embraced his dysfunction and welds it as a weapon.
I agree, I never believed that Mary was advocating empathy for her degenerate uncle. Especially after what she and her family have had to endure because of him.
From an earlier report from Mary, I recall that she suggested the best outcome for Donald would be public humiliation. He needs to be defeated by Kamala. If that’s not enough of a jolt, then an Orange prison suit might be then next in line. Perhaps picking up trash on a major highway near Manhattan? Perhaps a fellow trash handler could pretend not to know him and as him ( as was suggested by another writer), “So Don, what do you do in world? Are you local?”
But sadly, it seems that all those terrible "personality" quirks of Donald are either dismissed or admired by 50% of Americans. It's not Donald who has to be psychoanalized, it's half of Americans. How did they get this way? What is sustaining it?
This is the very same question I came here to ask. Why does half the country see this man and think, "Yes, this is who should lead us." It's deeply disturbing to believe so many people are ready to sign up to be led by a sociopath. All the hate and cruelty that he is proposing to unleash on our fellow citizens. It's mind blowing.
Those that support him are willing to give up everything mentioned in Project 2025. They believe he made their lives better last time, so why not give him a second chance? Except HE didn't make their lives better. Their lives were better because during his first two years, he rode the 8 years of a good economy among other things that Obama left. Ask a supporter to give you a concrete example of something that HE DID. They can't. Obama left him a pandemic playbook which he ignored, thus, 400,000 people died. He and his family turned the presidency into a profit center for themselves with guardrails. Imagine what he will do with no guardrails. When your home state won't vote for you and former members of his staff say he shouldn't be in office, to me that says a whole lot we should heed!
You are absolutely correct. But the question is why do they believe that they were better off? I think the root issue is that MAGA is a group fueled by hate and grievance. I read somewhere that they support Trump because he hates the same people they hate. The saying "the enemy of my enemy is my friend" comes to mind. The hate filled rally at Madison Square Garden showed how much they hate brown and black people. This is the glue that holds MAGA together. The shocking part is that includes 46% Americans.
When the convicted felon mentions something often, they pay close attention and pass it on to other supporters. Before you know it, they're all repeating the same lie. Over the last few days, I've seen a reporter asking them about the hurricanes that recently occurred. Almost word-for-word, they said the same thing, that the Democrats were seeding clouds and making the hurricanes. Somewhere along the line, the convicted felon must've said that because they're not bright enough to think up something like that.
They are being fed nonsense by Fox and other MAGA media. Murdock stated he bought Fox to use it for political propaganda. The GOP takeover of the media is a big piece of people believing the lies. Along with decades of dumbing down our education system. A majority of adults do not have the developmental cognitive capacities to think critically. So, they swallow the grievances they are told to swallow and regurgitate them.
My opinion is that the MAGAs are fueled by misogyny, racism, and stupidity. I do not believe they truly care about politics or policies or conservatism or any of that. They are overcome with fear, hate, and ignorance. And, that makes Mary’s deplorable, disgusting uncle the perfect messiah, in their eyes.
The issues you mentioned, such as the economy and public health, have their complex backgrounds. They not only involve policies and leadership, but are also closely related to the global economic situation and the long-term planning of the public health system.
Regarding the response to the epidemic and economic policies, we can look in depth at the specific measures at the time to understand the results of different decisions. As for the moral bottom line of the presidency and the issue of financial conflicts of interest, this is indeed a topic we need to learn and discuss in any leader.
Finally, I think that knowing more about the effects and background of different policies may help us make more rational and long-term choices in the future. Each of us may have a different understanding of the facts, but retaining the exploration of facts and truth may be what we need to insist on.
Am I the only one who doesn’t believe there are as many pro Trumpers as we’re led to believe? That right there is the only really persuasive propaganda The Red Death has left. My sister believes that most voters back Trump. Most! Why does she believe that? So they can make her believe the election had to be stolen if Harris wins. I think they’re lucky to have 28% of voters that are for Trump at this point.
I hope you're right. The poll numbers I saw earlier today had Trump at 47% and Harris at 50% for swings states. All I can say is even 28% is shameful. I think that the polls are misleading and they definitely want us to believe that the race is tight. And yes, they're trying to people believe that the only way Harris can when is by stealing the election. It worked for them last time, might as well use it again. I hope he gets beaten by a landslide so there's no question Harris won.
I have received texts asking if I am voting for Kamala and telling me that failure to respond will result in a "no". I don't click on unsolicited links. If this was a "poll" the results are pure crap.
I never reply. I don’t know who is really asking or why? If these are polls and if many blue voters are like me and don’t answer, then the poll results must be way off. One poll asked if I was voting for Harris. They said if I didn’t answer they would put me down for Trump!
They have a powerful and effective propaganda machine. I think the strongest deterrent to opening their eyes is group camaraderie. It’s possible most of them don’t want to look outside their bubble for fear of losing that feel-good belonging. It’s a scene where they unanimously hate together. Hate what? Whatever they’re told to hate.
This all started 50-60 years ago when right wing evangelicals started taking over politics. This is exactly what they have wanted all along. This system has been working as designed, if you are cis-het-white-“Christian” and wealthy. Makes me livid.
....and 30-40 years ago when Reagan removed protections against worker exploitation, and when corporations started turning the Evening News into "entertainment television" instead of actual NEWS programs. Pandering to the lowest common denominator has brought us this... crap.
This is actually a face-off between two very antagonistic forms of governing: Hierarchy Patriarchal Authoritarianism which uses force, religion and conformity to rule. It's based on Dominance and class / caste set ups. The lower classes are held in place by ignorance, superstitions and threats. This opposes popular Democratic Rule by people voting on who temporarily rules and have the ability to fire them if there's malfeasance or dereliction of duty. The Constitution and Rule of Law anchors this, and educated Citizens with open sources of information. You can see where we went wrong by allowing the deterioration of education and Monopolies in Media.
Answering my own question. Bob Altemeyer just died last Feb. Nice guy, taught at one of my alma maters. He wrote the book Authoritarianism that caught the attention of Watergate's John Dean who then promoted it. Explains the sheeplike behaviour.
Since he is so fond of copying Hitler and he does seem very similar, I think maybe reading some of what must be hundreds of analyses of Hitler and why he was able to resonate with so many may be helpful. Of course what Trump seems to keep forgetting in his admiration of that ultimate monster, is that he lost.
A few years ago I wrote on YouTube how a few dictators died. Comment was removed, no explanation. Did they think I was inspiring people? Stochastic?
But it mentioned sweethearts like Mussolini, hanging upside down in a gas station, Hitler in the bunker, Ghadaffi, Sadaam., not pretty, and ..lately several others. Waiting for Putin's end. Ironically a defenestration?
These guys NEVER learn. They all think they are going to either never die or die on a soft pillow surrounded by loving family. But what goes around comes around.
read Timothy Snyder, "On Freedom". The book will add to your understanding, Norah. However you will still need more insight, like Anne Applebaum's "Autocracy", or a book by Chris Hedges from 2008 "American Fascists: The Christian Right and the War on America".
Thanks, Bruce. Other ones I endlessly promote are Mary Belenky et al: Women's Ways of Knowing which is a 7 stage process from silence, obeisance, to critical thinking to confidence in their own ideas/perception. Men learn differently so there is the male version by William Perry.
Hey Nora, thanks I'll try those, for my "female" side. I also have many other sides though too, Mathematician, Painter, Businessman, Professional Skier, Marathoner, Master Diver, Husband, Partner... you get it!... I would also like to recommend Brené Brown: "Braving the Wilderness" and many others that challenge us to live Autonomously whether male or female or non binary. Nothing on this lovely earth is binary.
They got this way, Norah, because according to first wife Ivana, he kept a book of Hitler's speeches ('Mein Kampf') locked in his nightstand. I learned that from an article in the September 1996 issue of Vanity Fair entitled "After the Gold Rush".
It's called brainwashing. It is almost impossible to undo.
It's also the way a crazed leader starts/fights a war of Aggression and how he gets soldiers to follow: he promotes his war as one of Defense, not Aggression. So men willingly sign up thinking they are nobly defending their country. He promotes a war of his Greed as one of public Need.
Isabel Wilkerson, author of Caste, answered that question on the Lawrence Odonnell show last night. Ever since the census of 2020 predicted that America will no longer be a white majority nation by 2042, the Great Unwashed have had their knickers in a knot. But Orange Jesus's plan to round up 11-15 million brown and black people and deport them sounds like the solution to them. The knuckledraggers who support the Orange Lardass, who suffer from a total lack of critical thinking skills, are unable to see that mass deportation and Asshole's tariffs on everything imported will destroy America. And if they think prices on groceries are high now, fruit and vegetables will be rotting in fields because there is no one to pick them.
I agree. DJT is just one sick, sad person; but what about the millions of ordinary Americans - not the billionaires who have something to gain - who continue to believe, despite reams of evidence, that he is qualified to be president (or anything else)? I think some of the media has continued to prop him up, perpetuate his fantasy of being a great businessman (who bankrupted 6 businesses!)
LBJ explained it, very succinctly:" GIVE THE POORESS WHITE MAN A REASON TO BELIEVE HE IS BETTER THAN THE BEST BLACK MAN, AND YOU WILL HAVE HIS VOTE FOREVER" [ kinda paraphrased, but it's the gist of LBJ'S statement] GO GOOGLE IT!
IMPLICIT BIAS , GENERATIONAL POORNESS, GENERATIONAL RACISM AND HATRED,ADD IN LIFETIME GRIEVANCES TAUGHT....THERE'S YOUR MAGA CULT PARTICIPANT GREWING INTO A TOXIC GROWN PERSON!💯💣💥
Trump is hardened, but spoiled. He is also someone who has received accolades for many (non)accomplishments that weren’t deserved! You pinpointed that his neglectful parents caused his behavioral issues, yet I don’t feel sorry for him. Your father had the same upbringing yet he was a kind person. I have no sympathy for him, and hope that justice does come his way, hard.
He is the monster under the bed of our childhood. His cruelty knows no bounds because cruelty was how he got attention. He’s so obviously mentally ill that it’s beyond comprehension that tens of millions of our neighbors will vote for him and he may well become the next president. His cruelty will then be unleashed on all Americans. I am afraid.
Ironically, if he is "elected" this will be the republican's real trickle-down, as his corruption will start to flow through the system to where it will be at all levels of government and non-government alike. The next who knows how many years will be like a shit show we've never seen before nor wanted to for sure.
He's the worst of human nature in a badly-fitting suit, appealing to the darkest, stupidest and most self-pitying sides of his supporters...
...and yet I have faith in this being the part of the story where too much seems to have gone wrong to ever be fixed - right before the triumphant finish that finally vanquishes the bad guy and leaves everything on a hopeful note of reconciliation, restoration and rebuilding for a better future. (I mean, we have to think that, right?)
Had a feeling that his childhood was missing the parental inputs. Noticing how, as the time progressed towards November, his psychological condition seems to be eroding...
His supporters find his cruelty to be a feature not a flaw. They can’t hear the music. I have to talk to them everyday. They like when people are worried or upset about his grotesque behavior.
That is the point I am trying to make. You put it more succinctly than I. Most of the time they don’t realize it comes from a place of bigotry or hate. Unfortunately, many times they do and don’t care. Thank you for your comment. Please vote ❤️
Not at all. My experience tells me that his supporters are inured to any behaviors he may exhibit, no matter how horrible. Understanding and socializing with his base is a must. Thank you for your comment. I will try to be more clear in the future.
Thank you again for your extremely important insights and clarity, and continuing to be a strong voice for truth and a better future for our country!!☮️
Thank you, Mary for the great service you have performed for your fellow Americans in giving us insight into your Uncle's mental health problems and moral deficits. I hope that enough of us make use of the information you have given us to save ourselves from a monster.
When Donald won in 2016, I was in shock, traumatized, crying for days. The election of Biden brought some temporary joy and relief, but the "Stop the Steal" lie & January 6th left me stunned and anxious - and my anxiety's been growing ever since, with the complete moral collapse of the Republican Party. And yes, the most painful punch to the gut was realizing that millions of my fellow Americans rejoiced in Trump's cruelty, believed every ludicrous lie and celebrated his profound ignorance. There is no hope of me ever getting back the hope and faith I once had in the basic decency of the American people. Dear God help us.
Step back. Take a breath. Look for the helpers, as Mr Rogers told us his mother taught him. (If you haven't heard that story, I encourage you to Google it.) Good will win over evil. The struggle might demand a lot from all of us, but good will win!
Simply an ordinary person, I was at Temple University in Philadelphia, PA during the period Donald Trump was at Penn. I recall waiting in line to pay for groceries & looking over the scandal sheets at my elbow. I remember seeing pictures of Donald & Fred on the front pages & learning who/what they were (or said to be). Donald is just 4 days younger than me. Over the many years since, I've read lots of similar articles. Then, he jumped the hoop into our politics. He didn't do that alone... He is very easily used by unsavory business "leaders" and unsavory politicians due to his extreme instability as Mary has so well described. If he wasn't so dangerous, he'd be considered pathetic by so many more.
My work life has been spent throughout the mental health system. My empathy drove me & in process was able to find benefits for many of our destitute patients. In the process I was able to learn more than one ever could have imagined. For that I am forever grateful. Each day as the newsreels fly by, rather than allow destructive hatefulness to takeover, I pray...often with smooth jazz in background. Of all the prayers, the one I say for Donald John Trump & the evil users is below. I sincerely invite you to join me. Keep it up & you'll be amazed at how any hate you may feel will slip away into more constructive emotions. Please remember that even if Donald John Trump is not relected president of our country, this mess is not over. There are many of those "users" just waiting & prepared, grooming other "front men (women?? )". Don't ever stop praying. The future of our politics in USA will not be easy.
Here's the prayer:
"St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him we humbly pray; and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly host, by the power of God, cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen."
It’s so sad when everyone else had their heads bowed for the silence the only ones looking up and around was Donald and Eric Trump. Absolute disgrace of people.
I don’t think DT was the beginning of this Republican problem. I believe it’s been developing for quite some time and those in charge of the Republican Party have used DT as their pawn. I’m not a historian expert, but I feel like the Republican problem started with Reagan.
My thinking as well. PO #1135809 is only a puppet in the hands of the GOP oligarchs. He's simply a front man. A sick one, as Mary has taught us, but the puppet nonetheless. Same as Reagan. Both had easy recognition by the uneducated populace via film and TV. While Reagan had been Governor, the FL felon had no political experience until they put him in the WH! When he finally disintegrates, the oligarchs behind him will simply find another puppet they can front. Looks like Vance may be next. The GOP wants to keep their guy in th WH so they can control our economy. Beginning and end of story.
Mr. Morganti, you are correct in that the "Republican problem" has been developing for quite some time. However, Trump is not a pawn of the wealthy elite in the republican party. He is one of them. Reagan was a dull-witted pawn, Goldwater was an even duller-witted pawn. But Trump is the real McCoy. He says the bad, angry, hate filled stuff out loud. And his followers admire him for it. He is a Fascist, clearly; and he is one of the elite.
But, there are two bright lights in this darkness:
1) The greatest American President, Franklin Delano Roosevelt set us on the correct course with the energy of the Democratic party. He called it "The New Deal." Since his death in 1945, we have been gliding along on a downward slope as the Republicans have been doing their best to serve their wealthy owners by destroying "The New Deal." After 79 years, they have seriously altered our lives but failed to complete their task.
2) Kamala Harris is going to defeat Trump in November, so we shall be saved from the hate mongering Trump Humpers.
But I do not expect too much from Harris at first. Like Obama, she lacks a true power-base. Furthermore, the MAGATs are correct; like Obama she lacks the requisite experience or knowledge of historical events to enact much in the way of truly new policies. They do not fear her, yet. However, unlike Obama, she has faced hardened, sophisticated criminals and bested them. She was essentially a powerful cop in California. A prosecutor who put many dangerous law violators in prison. I think the MAGATs are fooled by her beautiful, feminine smile and her charming, ready laughter. She is made of pretty tuff stuff. If you would like to see what I am talking about; look for her in action on the NET as she questioned powerful men in Senate hearings before she became Vice President. Furthermore, I shall never forget her response to the noisy hecklers at that rally in Wisconsin when she said: "You people are at the wrong rally. You want the smaller one down the road." Did I get that quote right?
Mr. Dobbertin, thank you for all this information. Yes, DT is one of them. On another note, Harris first caught my attention when she was interrogating Brett Kavanaugh for the court position. She wasn’t fooled by his sly, deceitful and disingenuous responses. I knew then that she was someone with a lot of honor. She will make a terrific President.
I read a good book several years ago about how sociopaths came to be. Everytime, it was as infants/very young children, they failed to bond with a primary caregiver. It was the single most factor that set in motion their lack of empathy and their cruelty. Trump certainly fits that scenario. Every child deserves to be loved. However, crappy childhood or not, I do not excuse his behavior or hod choices in life. Most sociopaths only have the ability to harm a small amount of the population. This a-hole has the ability to harm millions. Just so sick and tired of hearing his voice, seeing his face and hearing about him.
I’m not trying to belittle your comment has the ability to harm millions not a true statement in these times during the pandemic he killed millions of Americans and he was the president with his rhetoric. Let’s not forget this he killed people. He’s not just a sociopath and a misogynist and a racist he killed Americans with his bullshit and I reiterate, how can you sorry not you how can they actually vote for him to be president again he’s a mass murderer with his rhetoric with his insurrection. Unbelievable that he’s even close in the race.
Thank you for clarifying what I had meant to say. I’m a nurse and was very ill and hospitalized for COVID in early January, 2021. Unfortunately, I was able to see firsthand, everyday at work, the misery that he brought because of how he handled COVID. I had never been sick in my life. So many people died that didn’t have to and it put in place a division in this country about public health that I had never seen before. I try and am unsuccessful as to how anyone can vote for him after 9 years. I feel bottom line, unless he’s going to give you a huge tax cut because you’re uber wealthy, your reason (whether you will admit it or not) is that you’re a racist. People are kidding themselves if they think that minorities aren’t racist either. Keeping America status quo supersedes your gender, your skin color and your sexuality. That’s why you see minorities, gays and women voting for him.
Christopher, I’m watching this unfold from across the pond in the UK and concur with everything you’ve said. The mass delusion among the republican, more specifically MAGA, crew is beyond belief. Trump has entitled the ignorant, rotten to the core and those who are too stupid to know they’re being manipulated. Now, amongst ‘ordinary’ folk this is bad enough. When powerful and very articulate commentators insult and deride Harris while championing trump (small ‘t’ deliberate!), something very sinister is afoot. I can’t help but intuit that misogyny, racism and greed for money/power are key to this demographic.
I agree with you. I will also say that when parents have children they don't really bond with, it is possible to grow beyond that. From my experience it takes a lot of work, but it is possible to learn to be empathetic and to love and to care.
Exactly. To think I'm his age yet an unwilling victim of his. My anger and disgust is painfully unbearable and leaves me sorry that I am not in a position to stop him.
You said it all.
Exactly. To think I'm his age yet an unwilling victim of his. My anger and disgust is painfully unbearable and leaves me sorry that I am not in a position to stop him.
Human Growth and Development classes in Nursing School coupled with Psychology classes, taught this teen- aged mother/ wife, how to give my 2 Belongings what I missed out of from my " parents" .
Thank Jesus for Grandma and my extended family members.
I feel your pain. What I can’t forgive is the number of very articulate, intelligent people who defend him, while defaming Harris. No doubt that is also about abuse of power for personal gain.
Racism has no IQ/education boundaries. Doesn't matter your level of education or how much money you make. I think we've (and I include myself) given people that are educated or wealthy a pass at times that we expect them to think and act intelligently. Not so. I've run across thousands of people in my nursing and law enforcement career to find out that you never know. Actually, some of the nicest people I've dealt with haven't been the most educated or wealthy. Common sense has nothing to do with any of that. In fact, if I had to choose between taking care of people on the lower socioeconomic level or wealthy, give me the poorer ones. Many are grateful for the care I've given them, don't have a sense of entitlement and actually had common sense. Rich people when they threaten to sue you, will spell your name right.
So well put Deborah, thanks for sharing your experience and insight.
Mary, it is always quite interesting whenever you shed light on why your uncle is the way he is. I am unable to work up even an ounce of compassion for him, though. It’s too late for that. He’s way past redemption. All there is left is to deal with the damage he’s done and to make sure he cannot do any more.
I agree that Mary's analysis of her uncle is interesting because it explains why he is what he is. I don't feel she is advocating empathy for this vile, damaged man. Instead, Mary Trump offer a unique perspective on the essence of the donald's flaws and what americans should be aware of and prepared for.
Absolutely, his unfortunate and sad upbringing is an explanation, not an excuse. He had no control over what happened to him as a child, but as an adult he had every opportunity to seek help and heal from that trauma. And he not only chose not to get help, he has embraced his dysfunction and welds it as a weapon.
I agree, I never believed that Mary was advocating empathy for her degenerate uncle. Especially after what she and her family have had to endure because of him.
I agree. Way past.
From an earlier report from Mary, I recall that she suggested the best outcome for Donald would be public humiliation. He needs to be defeated by Kamala. If that’s not enough of a jolt, then an Orange prison suit might be then next in line. Perhaps picking up trash on a major highway near Manhattan? Perhaps a fellow trash handler could pretend not to know him and as him ( as was suggested by another writer), “So Don, what do you do in world? Are you local?”
But sadly, it seems that all those terrible "personality" quirks of Donald are either dismissed or admired by 50% of Americans. It's not Donald who has to be psychoanalized, it's half of Americans. How did they get this way? What is sustaining it?
This is the very same question I came here to ask. Why does half the country see this man and think, "Yes, this is who should lead us." It's deeply disturbing to believe so many people are ready to sign up to be led by a sociopath. All the hate and cruelty that he is proposing to unleash on our fellow citizens. It's mind blowing.
Those that support him are willing to give up everything mentioned in Project 2025. They believe he made their lives better last time, so why not give him a second chance? Except HE didn't make their lives better. Their lives were better because during his first two years, he rode the 8 years of a good economy among other things that Obama left. Ask a supporter to give you a concrete example of something that HE DID. They can't. Obama left him a pandemic playbook which he ignored, thus, 400,000 people died. He and his family turned the presidency into a profit center for themselves with guardrails. Imagine what he will do with no guardrails. When your home state won't vote for you and former members of his staff say he shouldn't be in office, to me that says a whole lot we should heed!
You are absolutely correct. But the question is why do they believe that they were better off? I think the root issue is that MAGA is a group fueled by hate and grievance. I read somewhere that they support Trump because he hates the same people they hate. The saying "the enemy of my enemy is my friend" comes to mind. The hate filled rally at Madison Square Garden showed how much they hate brown and black people. This is the glue that holds MAGA together. The shocking part is that includes 46% Americans.
When the convicted felon mentions something often, they pay close attention and pass it on to other supporters. Before you know it, they're all repeating the same lie. Over the last few days, I've seen a reporter asking them about the hurricanes that recently occurred. Almost word-for-word, they said the same thing, that the Democrats were seeding clouds and making the hurricanes. Somewhere along the line, the convicted felon must've said that because they're not bright enough to think up something like that.
They are being fed nonsense by Fox and other MAGA media. Murdock stated he bought Fox to use it for political propaganda. The GOP takeover of the media is a big piece of people believing the lies. Along with decades of dumbing down our education system. A majority of adults do not have the developmental cognitive capacities to think critically. So, they swallow the grievances they are told to swallow and regurgitate them.
My opinion is that the MAGAs are fueled by misogyny, racism, and stupidity. I do not believe they truly care about politics or policies or conservatism or any of that. They are overcome with fear, hate, and ignorance. And, that makes Mary’s deplorable, disgusting uncle the perfect messiah, in their eyes.
But between 30 and 60% of our personality is genetic (depending on the trait we are talking about). Astounding. But look it up.
Also proven by the experiments on Twins Separated at Birth and how they lead insanely similar lives.
Well said. Thank you, Sarah3000.
I thought it was close to a million from COVID. ?
It might be a million by now. I read that when he left office it was around 400,000.
The issues you mentioned, such as the economy and public health, have their complex backgrounds. They not only involve policies and leadership, but are also closely related to the global economic situation and the long-term planning of the public health system.
Regarding the response to the epidemic and economic policies, we can look in depth at the specific measures at the time to understand the results of different decisions. As for the moral bottom line of the presidency and the issue of financial conflicts of interest, this is indeed a topic we need to learn and discuss in any leader.
Finally, I think that knowing more about the effects and background of different policies may help us make more rational and long-term choices in the future. Each of us may have a different understanding of the facts, but retaining the exploration of facts and truth may be what we need to insist on.
Am I the only one who doesn’t believe there are as many pro Trumpers as we’re led to believe? That right there is the only really persuasive propaganda The Red Death has left. My sister believes that most voters back Trump. Most! Why does she believe that? So they can make her believe the election had to be stolen if Harris wins. I think they’re lucky to have 28% of voters that are for Trump at this point.
I hope you're right. The poll numbers I saw earlier today had Trump at 47% and Harris at 50% for swings states. All I can say is even 28% is shameful. I think that the polls are misleading and they definitely want us to believe that the race is tight. And yes, they're trying to people believe that the only way Harris can when is by stealing the election. It worked for them last time, might as well use it again. I hope he gets beaten by a landslide so there's no question Harris won.
Sarah when you get an anonymous text asking you to give your opinion on an issue with regard to the candidates and their policies what do you do?
I have received texts asking if I am voting for Kamala and telling me that failure to respond will result in a "no". I don't click on unsolicited links. If this was a "poll" the results are pure crap.
To be honezt, I don't reply. Most of the time they're fishing for a donation. I'm very selective about who I donate to.
Neither do I. When they ask if I’m voting for Harris they tell me that if I don’t answer they will assume I’m a Trump voter.
I never reply. I don’t know who is really asking or why? If these are polls and if many blue voters are like me and don’t answer, then the poll results must be way off. One poll asked if I was voting for Harris. They said if I didn’t answer they would put me down for Trump!
A percentage of the people like him because he attacks people (minorities) they dislike. They want to feel superior to other.
They have a powerful and effective propaganda machine. I think the strongest deterrent to opening their eyes is group camaraderie. It’s possible most of them don’t want to look outside their bubble for fear of losing that feel-good belonging. It’s a scene where they unanimously hate together. Hate what? Whatever they’re told to hate.
Yes, the fact that everyone can choose their own media outlet makes it easy to remain in an echo chamber, hearing whay you want to hear.
This all started 50-60 years ago when right wing evangelicals started taking over politics. This is exactly what they have wanted all along. This system has been working as designed, if you are cis-het-white-“Christian” and wealthy. Makes me livid.
....and 30-40 years ago when Reagan removed protections against worker exploitation, and when corporations started turning the Evening News into "entertainment television" instead of actual NEWS programs. Pandering to the lowest common denominator has brought us this... crap.
Yes, definitely!
This is actually a face-off between two very antagonistic forms of governing: Hierarchy Patriarchal Authoritarianism which uses force, religion and conformity to rule. It's based on Dominance and class / caste set ups. The lower classes are held in place by ignorance, superstitions and threats. This opposes popular Democratic Rule by people voting on who temporarily rules and have the ability to fire them if there's malfeasance or dereliction of duty. The Constitution and Rule of Law anchors this, and educated Citizens with open sources of information. You can see where we went wrong by allowing the deterioration of education and Monopolies in Media.
Good comment, Moon Cat.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Altemeyer
Answering my own question. Bob Altemeyer just died last Feb. Nice guy, taught at one of my alma maters. He wrote the book Authoritarianism that caught the attention of Watergate's John Dean who then promoted it. Explains the sheeplike behaviour.
Since he is so fond of copying Hitler and he does seem very similar, I think maybe reading some of what must be hundreds of analyses of Hitler and why he was able to resonate with so many may be helpful. Of course what Trump seems to keep forgetting in his admiration of that ultimate monster, is that he lost.
A few years ago I wrote on YouTube how a few dictators died. Comment was removed, no explanation. Did they think I was inspiring people? Stochastic?
But it mentioned sweethearts like Mussolini, hanging upside down in a gas station, Hitler in the bunker, Ghadaffi, Sadaam., not pretty, and ..lately several others. Waiting for Putin's end. Ironically a defenestration?
These guys NEVER learn. They all think they are going to either never die or die on a soft pillow surrounded by loving family. But what goes around comes around.
read Timothy Snyder, "On Freedom". The book will add to your understanding, Norah. However you will still need more insight, like Anne Applebaum's "Autocracy", or a book by Chris Hedges from 2008 "American Fascists: The Christian Right and the War on America".
Thanks, Bruce. Other ones I endlessly promote are Mary Belenky et al: Women's Ways of Knowing which is a 7 stage process from silence, obeisance, to critical thinking to confidence in their own ideas/perception. Men learn differently so there is the male version by William Perry.
Hey Nora, thanks I'll try those, for my "female" side. I also have many other sides though too, Mathematician, Painter, Businessman, Professional Skier, Marathoner, Master Diver, Husband, Partner... you get it!... I would also like to recommend Brené Brown: "Braving the Wilderness" and many others that challenge us to live Autonomously whether male or female or non binary. Nothing on this lovely earth is binary.
Oh...Canadian, American, Austrian, living in Germany, Farmer, Traveler, High Tech Guru...blah blah.😵💫🤣
They got this way, Norah, because according to first wife Ivana, he kept a book of Hitler's speeches ('Mein Kampf') locked in his nightstand. I learned that from an article in the September 1996 issue of Vanity Fair entitled "After the Gold Rush".
It's called brainwashing. It is almost impossible to undo.
Richard La France
One more lie to add to his jillion others…he recently mewled that he never read “Mein Kampf.”
I doubt he is capable of reading much of anything.
Nora, I ask the same questions almost everyday. They take up too much room in my brain.
I know! That is terrifying! I also don't get it.
Fear--my theory, anyway.
Yes, that's a huge part of it.
It's also the way a crazed leader starts/fights a war of Aggression and how he gets soldiers to follow: he promotes his war as one of Defense, not Aggression. So men willingly sign up thinking they are nobly defending their country. He promotes a war of his Greed as one of public Need.
Isabel Wilkerson, author of Caste, answered that question on the Lawrence Odonnell show last night. Ever since the census of 2020 predicted that America will no longer be a white majority nation by 2042, the Great Unwashed have had their knickers in a knot. But Orange Jesus's plan to round up 11-15 million brown and black people and deport them sounds like the solution to them. The knuckledraggers who support the Orange Lardass, who suffer from a total lack of critical thinking skills, are unable to see that mass deportation and Asshole's tariffs on everything imported will destroy America. And if they think prices on groceries are high now, fruit and vegetables will be rotting in fields because there is no one to pick them.
Unfortunately, Nora, I ask myself thy almost every da
I agree. DJT is just one sick, sad person; but what about the millions of ordinary Americans - not the billionaires who have something to gain - who continue to believe, despite reams of evidence, that he is qualified to be president (or anything else)? I think some of the media has continued to prop him up, perpetuate his fantasy of being a great businessman (who bankrupted 6 businesses!)
Cult of Personality
LBJ explained it, very succinctly:" GIVE THE POORESS WHITE MAN A REASON TO BELIEVE HE IS BETTER THAN THE BEST BLACK MAN, AND YOU WILL HAVE HIS VOTE FOREVER" [ kinda paraphrased, but it's the gist of LBJ'S statement] GO GOOGLE IT!
IMPLICIT BIAS , GENERATIONAL POORNESS, GENERATIONAL RACISM AND HATRED,ADD IN LIFETIME GRIEVANCES TAUGHT....THERE'S YOUR MAGA CULT PARTICIPANT GREWING INTO A TOXIC GROWN PERSON!💯💣💥
He will not be the next president.
Your lips to God's ear
Thank you, Mary! May you enjoy inner peace and social justice in our lifetime
💜🌎☮️
Trump is hardened, but spoiled. He is also someone who has received accolades for many (non)accomplishments that weren’t deserved! You pinpointed that his neglectful parents caused his behavioral issues, yet I don’t feel sorry for him. Your father had the same upbringing yet he was a kind person. I have no sympathy for him, and hope that justice does come his way, hard.
I feel the same. I truly believe he’ll get what he deserves, eventually.
It's like being subjected to a reeeeaaallly long version of A Christmas Carol.
Exactly...! ...but without the happy.ending!
He is the monster under the bed of our childhood. His cruelty knows no bounds because cruelty was how he got attention. He’s so obviously mentally ill that it’s beyond comprehension that tens of millions of our neighbors will vote for him and he may well become the next president. His cruelty will then be unleashed on all Americans. I am afraid.
Ironically, if he is "elected" this will be the republican's real trickle-down, as his corruption will start to flow through the system to where it will be at all levels of government and non-government alike. The next who knows how many years will be like a shit show we've never seen before nor wanted to for sure.
This is already happening.
To some degree for sure.
I am too. But not So afraid to put my Harris/Walz sign in my front window
He's the worst of human nature in a badly-fitting suit, appealing to the darkest, stupidest and most self-pitying sides of his supporters...
...and yet I have faith in this being the part of the story where too much seems to have gone wrong to ever be fixed - right before the triumphant finish that finally vanquishes the bad guy and leaves everything on a hopeful note of reconciliation, restoration and rebuilding for a better future. (I mean, we have to think that, right?)
I WILL BE SOOOO HAPPY WHEN I THIS MONSTER'S NAME IS OFF OF THE FRONT PAGE AND OUT OF THE NEWS FOREVER.
Had a feeling that his childhood was missing the parental inputs. Noticing how, as the time progressed towards November, his psychological condition seems to be eroding...
His supporters find his cruelty to be a feature not a flaw. They can’t hear the music. I have to talk to them everyday. They like when people are worried or upset about his grotesque behavior.
Peter, they are so emotionally taken up with the hate, they cannot think straight
That is the point I am trying to make. You put it more succinctly than I. Most of the time they don’t realize it comes from a place of bigotry or hate. Unfortunately, many times they do and don’t care. Thank you for your comment. Please vote ❤️
So you speak for yourself then? You’re voting red?
Not at all. My experience tells me that his supporters are inured to any behaviors he may exhibit, no matter how horrible. Understanding and socializing with his base is a must. Thank you for your comment. I will try to be more clear in the future.
Well said. Historians will be trying to explain this cult like phenomenon for decades. And then I pray his name is never mentioned again.
So sad. The idiot's
We need to take them seriously if we are to perhaps change their minds. Thank you for commenting.
Thank you again for your extremely important insights and clarity, and continuing to be a strong voice for truth and a better future for our country!!☮️
Thank you, Mary for the great service you have performed for your fellow Americans in giving us insight into your Uncle's mental health problems and moral deficits. I hope that enough of us make use of the information you have given us to save ourselves from a monster.
When Donald won in 2016, I was in shock, traumatized, crying for days. The election of Biden brought some temporary joy and relief, but the "Stop the Steal" lie & January 6th left me stunned and anxious - and my anxiety's been growing ever since, with the complete moral collapse of the Republican Party. And yes, the most painful punch to the gut was realizing that millions of my fellow Americans rejoiced in Trump's cruelty, believed every ludicrous lie and celebrated his profound ignorance. There is no hope of me ever getting back the hope and faith I once had in the basic decency of the American people. Dear God help us.
I feel the same.
Step back. Take a breath. Look for the helpers, as Mr Rogers told us his mother taught him. (If you haven't heard that story, I encourage you to Google it.) Good will win over evil. The struggle might demand a lot from all of us, but good will win!
Simply an ordinary person, I was at Temple University in Philadelphia, PA during the period Donald Trump was at Penn. I recall waiting in line to pay for groceries & looking over the scandal sheets at my elbow. I remember seeing pictures of Donald & Fred on the front pages & learning who/what they were (or said to be). Donald is just 4 days younger than me. Over the many years since, I've read lots of similar articles. Then, he jumped the hoop into our politics. He didn't do that alone... He is very easily used by unsavory business "leaders" and unsavory politicians due to his extreme instability as Mary has so well described. If he wasn't so dangerous, he'd be considered pathetic by so many more.
My work life has been spent throughout the mental health system. My empathy drove me & in process was able to find benefits for many of our destitute patients. In the process I was able to learn more than one ever could have imagined. For that I am forever grateful. Each day as the newsreels fly by, rather than allow destructive hatefulness to takeover, I pray...often with smooth jazz in background. Of all the prayers, the one I say for Donald John Trump & the evil users is below. I sincerely invite you to join me. Keep it up & you'll be amazed at how any hate you may feel will slip away into more constructive emotions. Please remember that even if Donald John Trump is not relected president of our country, this mess is not over. There are many of those "users" just waiting & prepared, grooming other "front men (women?? )". Don't ever stop praying. The future of our politics in USA will not be easy.
Here's the prayer:
"St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him we humbly pray; and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly host, by the power of God, cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen."
It’s so sad when everyone else had their heads bowed for the silence the only ones looking up and around was Donald and Eric Trump. Absolute disgrace of people.
I don’t think DT was the beginning of this Republican problem. I believe it’s been developing for quite some time and those in charge of the Republican Party have used DT as their pawn. I’m not a historian expert, but I feel like the Republican problem started with Reagan.
I feel you are absolutely correct. I am so sick of hearing about Reagan. He sucked. He added to the bull.
My thinking as well. PO #1135809 is only a puppet in the hands of the GOP oligarchs. He's simply a front man. A sick one, as Mary has taught us, but the puppet nonetheless. Same as Reagan. Both had easy recognition by the uneducated populace via film and TV. While Reagan had been Governor, the FL felon had no political experience until they put him in the WH! When he finally disintegrates, the oligarchs behind him will simply find another puppet they can front. Looks like Vance may be next. The GOP wants to keep their guy in th WH so they can control our economy. Beginning and end of story.
Spot.on, Katie and Micki...
My thoughts as well. Dupe ! Could almost feel Putin's mirth !
Perhaps started with Nixon? :|
Him too!
You are correct, it did.
Mr. Morganti, you are correct in that the "Republican problem" has been developing for quite some time. However, Trump is not a pawn of the wealthy elite in the republican party. He is one of them. Reagan was a dull-witted pawn, Goldwater was an even duller-witted pawn. But Trump is the real McCoy. He says the bad, angry, hate filled stuff out loud. And his followers admire him for it. He is a Fascist, clearly; and he is one of the elite.
But, there are two bright lights in this darkness:
1) The greatest American President, Franklin Delano Roosevelt set us on the correct course with the energy of the Democratic party. He called it "The New Deal." Since his death in 1945, we have been gliding along on a downward slope as the Republicans have been doing their best to serve their wealthy owners by destroying "The New Deal." After 79 years, they have seriously altered our lives but failed to complete their task.
2) Kamala Harris is going to defeat Trump in November, so we shall be saved from the hate mongering Trump Humpers.
But I do not expect too much from Harris at first. Like Obama, she lacks a true power-base. Furthermore, the MAGATs are correct; like Obama she lacks the requisite experience or knowledge of historical events to enact much in the way of truly new policies. They do not fear her, yet. However, unlike Obama, she has faced hardened, sophisticated criminals and bested them. She was essentially a powerful cop in California. A prosecutor who put many dangerous law violators in prison. I think the MAGATs are fooled by her beautiful, feminine smile and her charming, ready laughter. She is made of pretty tuff stuff. If you would like to see what I am talking about; look for her in action on the NET as she questioned powerful men in Senate hearings before she became Vice President. Furthermore, I shall never forget her response to the noisy hecklers at that rally in Wisconsin when she said: "You people are at the wrong rally. You want the smaller one down the road." Did I get that quote right?
Mr. Dobbertin, thank you for all this information. Yes, DT is one of them. On another note, Harris first caught my attention when she was interrogating Brett Kavanaugh for the court position. She wasn’t fooled by his sly, deceitful and disingenuous responses. I knew then that she was someone with a lot of honor. She will make a terrific President.
You sure did. It was masterful!
BINGO!
BINGO!