Trump - Hubris or Narcissism?

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silmcoach
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Trump - Hubris or Narcissism?

Post by silmcoach »

As to whether Donald Trump can be diagnosed as having narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) David Owen (Sunday Times, October 28th 2018) quotes Professor Allen Francis, (Duke University, NC): “He may be a world-class narcissist but this doesn’t make him mentally ill.”
Owen explains that narcissists train themselves from an early age to block out other voices, other opinions, so one of the few voices they trust is their own. They are accustomed to listening to themselves talk, debating different sides of the same issue, finally reaching a decision about what to do and the best way to do it.

Citing Professor Nick Bouras (Kings College, London), hubris can be distinguished from narcissism which is “expressed with a blatantly attention-seeking, grandiose sense of importance, a persistent and burdensome search for admiration and lack of empathy.” Hubris is described as characterised by overconfidence, over-ambition, arrogance and excessive pride.”

Owen is of the opinion that Trump, as president, displays both hubris and narcissism. He continues to act as if he were on the campaign trail, using the same language, and holding apparently “spontaneous” rallies in carefully chosen locations. His more simple and direct language style were honed through his television appearances, in particular, the Apprentice. Owen also refers to “Trump news”, which he suggests involves the misquoting of facts, the manipulation of evidence, and playing on emotions, all apparent in his expert use of social media.

Owen states that Trump wants controversy – thrives on it – and is not a team player. Trump is described as both creative and destructive; efficient and inefficient; thoughtful and unthinking; intemperate and cool-headed, a deal-maker and deal-breaker. He stirs the pot to force a response.

Owen suggests that Trump’s business record reflects a troubling neglect of temperament, character, and trustworthiness in voters’ and shareholders’ regard for business as well as political leaders. Citing ‘The New Yorker’ magazine (May 2017), “the history of besieged presidencies is, in the end, the history of hubris, of blindness to one’s faults, of deafness to warnings.”
silmcoach
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