Donald Trump exhibits antisocial behavior. Federally ,he's charged with 88 felony charges ; found guilty twice in civil courts and currently is undergoing an election interference criminal trial in New York. Irrespective of his current legal issues, he continues, sadistic commentary attacking and undermining the justice system and whines about being scapegoated. In an unfair legal system that has ,in essence, been exceptionally fair.to him . This essay relates to Trump’s pathological narcissistic personality.
In the Greek legend, the beautiful lad Narcissus ,rejected the love of the nymph Echo who consequently died of a broken heart. Nemesis punished him by making him fall in love with the reflection of his own image. While admiring his reflection, Narcissus fell into the lake and died
Sigmund Freud , in his psychodynamic model described both normal and pathological narcissism as key motivational determinants. Man begins in a state of primary narcissism as the infant leaves the womb to be born. In primary narcissism, the only reality for the infant is itself ,its body, its physical sensations of cold , warmth , thirst , need for sleep and bodily contact. With development , the infant’s libido or psychic energy then transfers from self to the external world .. The infant is now able to differentiate itself from what is not part of “ self.". During this development , the infant widens its scope and intensity to other objects. In the outer world . It proceeds and evolves from absolute primary narcissism to a capacity for objective reasoning and necessity for object love or to a state of secondary narcissism . Secondary narcissism is a most powerful and necessary determinant for human behavior . However, sometimes a person becomes unable to proceed and develop normally from a state of primary narcissism "I" to secondary narcissism" objects in the external world, " It’s as if there was a barrier blocking the flow of psychic energy between proceeding from primary to secondary narcissism along with tendencies reverting back to the primary state. With pathology , psychic energy behavior is directed toward self. and the residue of psychic energy or behavior is directed against others passively, ,aggressively sadistically, ,dominantly, seductively, manipulatively , without a genuine concern or a social interest for the humane treatment of man and his community
The major implications for pathological narcissism is associated with difficulty in perceiving reality realistically with a preoccupation with oneself . For example, there is little psychic energy directed to the welfare of others . Instead the psychic energy becomes projected as an aspect of his personality,intelligence , physical looks, powers, ability ideas and skill . In his mind, he’s the smartest businessman, most intelligent, most knowledgeable, and a master negotiator and because of his disease cannot accept failure or criticism . He knows more than his attorney's , can defy gag orders and attack judges, prosecutors etc. He can inflate or deflate the value of his real estate because they are his. All things that he possesses are extraordinarily wonderful . He tells the crowd at rallies- he “loves” them which is actually his narcissistic attachment - he loves himself and they belong to him .
How could he, the most wonderful, powerful,have a small crowd at his inauguration , at any of his rallies or lose an election ? Somebody cheated. Criticizing NATO, pulling out of the Paris Accord and Iran’s nuclear regulation,and tariffs on China are his accomplishments .
.Trump attributes himself above the interest of anyone or anything else. He can steal elections and he can impede the transfer of power. Trump is more important than the interest of the Republic Constitution or Rule of Law as evidenced by the numerous antisocial acts related to the 2020 election . His fear of losing property and the presidency was on display with the inordinate expenditure of psychic energy in attempting to hang on to power. .His actions, the actions of his attorneys ,Judge Cannon and the Supreme Court has demonstrated his influence and his need to remain in control for survival.
Trump has normalized taking over the government, the institutions ,criminal justice and the Republican Party. It's his to do whatever he wants. It fits within his frame of reference for self. He does what's best for him regardless. He can break the rules, the laws because he's entitled , his prerogative and he is the law. It’s for him to control .And he spreads lies about the legal system. In the past, he claimed he could shoot somebody in New York and get away with it. Now he's complaining that he can't get a fair trial in New York. In other words, his lies reflect messages to his followers, and what is best for him.
Television, social media, etc. are powerful reinforcements for a narcissistic personality. The person, the image is displayed. Trump has easily mastered the ability to market or promote himself to be the news. . His TV show was perfect for this narcissist and by becoming president was a dream come true as he became the world's focus.
The historical danger of pathological narcissism pertains to Caesar, Hitler, Putin and others. Their power exists. They are not only above the law, they are the law . They attained absolute power and their word is the ultimate judgment of everything. There is no limit to their capacity to do whatever they want . They became God's and built monuments . They wanted the impossible . In fact, their megalomania seems to be a reasonable feeling as everybody agrees that they are God-like ,the most powerful , the wisest of men, and thus able to lead all others.
In summary, the development of proceeding from normal primary to secondary narcissism has great implications for man. Man ,in secondary narcissism ,has the capacity to be able to love ,respect , cooperate, and work together for the common good. This means , with a motivation for social interest, man can assist others in helping to build justice , a better democracy for all as stated in our Pledge of Allegiance However, tendencies for pathological narcissism undermines objectivity, love, truth, morality, democracy and humanistic values.setting the foundation for authoritarianism .
Reference
From Erich The Heart of Man , it's genius for good and evil.
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