Trump isn't mentally ill -- it's far worse

[Martin Eden]

23. Malignant narcissism is a mental pathology

Last edited Sat May 16, 2026, 09:45 AM - Edit history (2)

The word "crazy" is not a medical diagnosis. It is commonly understood in a binary sense (is he crazy or not?) and implies not responsible for his actions.

The word "evil" is of course not a medical diagnosis. It is very subjective, binary, and unhelpful in understanding someone's mental condition. Is a sociopath who has no empathy for other human beings evil? I would say that depends on how his actions impact the lives of people.

I am not qualified to render a diagnosis, but I have an opinion after observing Donald Trump since he entered politics.

Many mental health professionals have stated he is a malignant narcissist, and I concur. Given his obvious lack of empathy, I'd say he is a sociopath as well.

Neither of these terms render him not responsible for his actions, but they do make him egregiously unfit for office -- especially combined with his incessant (pathological) lying, corruption, criminality, and willful ignorance.

He apparently makes no effort to read and educate himself on the broad base of knowledge critically important for a president to make smart decisions -- even for his own best interests. If he really believes he "knows more" than the generals and experts in other fields related to presidential responsibilities, he is delusional.

Functionally, that makes him stupid. Nevertheless, Donald Trump is a very talented con man. He is a consumer of television and social media, gaining an understanding of the mindset and grievances of voters being manipulated by Fox News and other rightwing media. He entered the 2016 primary from outside the Republican establishment and beat all the other candidates at their own game.

Such a talent is a form of intelligence, yet his willful ignorance makes him stupid. His mental pathologies won't let him admit to himself or others that his knowledge and therefore his ability is woefully deficient. He can be manipulated by others with greater knowledge and less mental pathology.

Is he in cognitive decline, with increasing dementia? I'm not qualified to render a diagnosis, but I think not. All his negative and deficient traits are getting worse, but I think that is related to age and primarily rooted in a realization (perhaps only on a subconscious level) that consequences are catching up with him and he is going to die. Rather than moderate his actions and rhetoric, desperation and fear make him double down on his worst impulses, lashing out more than ever and building monuments to himself to feed the bottomless pit of his ego and need.

Is Donald Trump EVIL?

Given his impact on the lives of people, our country, and the world, I will say he is by far the most EVIL person in the history of the United States of America.