Mental Illness and Donald Trump – Megalomania

I am, at best, an armchair psychologist. It would probably be more accurate to say I have had a life-long interest in psychological issues.

One I have been thinking about a great deal lately is tied to the United States Presidential campaign. Specifically has been my interest in one particular candidate, Donald Trump. The fervor bubbling up around his candidacy is dynamic and for many reasons unsettling. This can be seen in the deep and even violent behavior seen from supporters and detractors of Trump. Whether it is near chaos at his political rallies, physical violence between opposing factions, or vicious personal attacks it is clear everyone has an opinion and expects to be heard.

I am no different. As a Libertarian I do not revel in seeing Americans so hostile toward one another at any time, but it is not something that surprises me. He is a divisive person and thus he easily becomes a spark to divide people. Rigorous political debate, expressing intelligent and well thought out perspectives is crucial to bettering ourselves and our country. However, what we are seeing is something I would see as more of a cult of personality versus a much different view of what our country should be.

This idea of a vast group following one person, ignoring clear signs of underlying issues is disheartening. Leadership is something many people flock to for guidance, particularly in a world where clear leaders seem impotent.

Megalomania

Are you familiar with the term? I think we all have mental pictures that appear when that word is mentioned, or have lyrics from a song or two pop in our heads. What is it ‘officially’ though? I looked up the term in a few places and these are the basic concepts in identifying a megalomaniac (an actual mental illness.)

Delusional belief of superiority:

Is anyone greater than Donald Trump in Donald Trump’s mind?

I recall him saying ‘maybe’ Abraham Lincoln would have been a better President than he believes he would be, maybe. For him to be ‘delusional’ about this, it would have to be incorrect saying that he is superior. Superior to whom? Ok, we know how he feels he would rank in his list of past Presidents. He talks in the third person quite a bit, doesn’t he? (disassociative?)

Delusions of greatness:

Is Donald Trump “great?”

Again, this is very subjective. What makes a person great? Buying ice cream for some kids? Making a fortune out of the million he admits having had as a present from his father? Being a good person? What kind of greatness do you want from a President? Someone who tells you how great he is? When did anyone ever tell you it was a sign of greatness when someone insists on telling you how great they think they are? Ever?

Delusions about one’s own power:

Not sure about you, but I know what immediately jumped in my head. Do you recall him saying of the US Military, “They won’t refuse. They’re not going to refuse me,” he said. “If I say do it, they’re going to do it.” In this case he was referring to his comment about ordering the military to kill the families (intentionally) of terrorists among other things.

Trump has also said that he would “make” Mexico pay for a wall between our countries.

The President of the United States does not have power to unilaterally act outside of the checks and balances of the other branches of government.

Delusions about one’s own importance:

I think this list of Trump branded products and services might qualify…

The Donald J. Trump Foundation, Inc.
The Trump Corporation
The Trump Follies Member Inc.
The Trump Equitable Fifth Avenue Company
Trump 106 CPS LLC
Trump 55 Wall Corp
Trump 767 Management LLC
Trump 845 LP LLC
Trump 845 UN GP LLC
Trump 846 UN MGR Corp
Trump 846 UN MGR LLC fka 845 UN LLC
Trump AC Casino Marks LLC
Trump AC Casino Marks Member Corp
Trump Acquisition Corp.
Trump Acquisition, LLC
Trump Books LLC
Trump Books Manager Corp
Trump Brazil LLC
Trump Briarcliff Manor Development LLC formerly Briar Hall Development LLC
Trump Canadian Services Inc
Trump Canouan Estate LLC
Trump Canouan Estate Member Corp
Trump Caribbean LLC
Trump Carousel LLC
Trump Carousel Member Corp
Trump Central Park West Corp
Trump Chicago Commercial Member Corp
Trump Chicago Commercial Manager LLC
Trump Chicago Development LLC
Trump Chicago Hotel Member Corp
Trump Chicago Hotel Manager LLC
Trump Chicago Managing Member LLC
Trump Chicago Member LLC
Trump Chicago Residential Member Corp
Trump Chicago Residential Manager LLC
Trump Chicago Retail LLC
Trump Chicago Retail Manager LLC
Trump Chicago Retail Member Corp
Trump Classic Cars LLC
Trump Classic Cars Member Corp
Trump Commercial Chicago LLC
Trump Cozumel Corp
Trump Cozumel LLC
Trump CPS Corp
Trump CPS LLC
Trump Delmonico LLC
Trump Development Services LLC
Trump Development Services Member Corp.
Trump Drinks Israel Holdings LLC
Trump Drinks Israel Holdings Member Corp
Trump Drinks Israel LLC
Trump Drinks Israel Member Corp
Trump Education ULC
Trump Empire State, Inc.
Trump Endeavor 12 LLC
Trump Endeavor 12 Manager Corp
Trump EU Marks Member LLC
Trump EU Marks Member Corp
The Trump Entrepreneur Initiative LLC (fka Trump University CA LLC)
Trump Ferry Point LLC
Trump Ferry Point Member Corp
Trump Florida Management LLC
Trump Florida Manager Corp.
The Trump Follies LLC
Trump Fort Lee LLC
Trump Fort Lee Member Corp
Trump Golf Acquisition LLC
Trump Golf Coco Beach LLC
Trump Golf Coco Beach Member Corp
Trump Golf Management LLC
Trump Home Marks
Trump Home Marks Member Corp
Trump Ice LLC
Trump Ice Inc
Trump Identity LLC
Trump Identity Member Corp
Trump International Development LLC
Trump International Development Member Corp
Trump International Golf Club LC
Trump International Golf Club Scotland Limited
Trump International Golf Club Inc.
Trump International Hotel and Tower Condominium
Trump International Hotel Hawaii LLC
Trump International Hotels Management LLC
Trump International Management Corp
Trump Kelowna LLC
Trump Kelowna Member Corp.
Trump Korean Projects LLC
Trump Las Olas LLC
Trump Las Olas Member Corp
Trump Las Vegas Corp.
Trump Las Vegas Development LLC
Trump Las Vegas Managing Member LLC
Trump Las Vegas Managing Member II LLC
Trump Las Vegas Marketing and Sales LLC
Trump Las Vegas Member LLC
Trump Las Vegas Member II LLC
Trump Las Vegas Sales & Marketing Inc.
Trump International Hotel & Tower Las Vegas Unit Owners Association
Trump Lauderdale Development 2 LLC
Trump Lauderdale Development LLC
Trump Management Inc
Trump Marketing LLC
Trump Marks Asia Corp
Trump Marks Asia LLC
Trump Marks Atlanta LLC
Trump Marks Atlanta Member Corp
Trump Marks Baja Corp
Trump Marks Baja LLC
Trump Marks Batumi LLC
Trump Marks Batumi Member Corp
Trump Marks Beverages Corp
Trump Marks LLC
Trump Marks Canouan Corp
Trump Marks Canouan LLC
Trump Marks Chicago LLC
Trump Marks Chicago Member Corp
Trump Marks Cozumel Corp
Trump Marks Cozumel LLC
Trump Marks Dubai Corp
Trump Marks Dubai LLC
Trump Marks Egypt Corp
Trump Marks Egypt LLC
Trump Marks Fine Foods LLC
Trump Marks Fine Foods Member Corp
Trump Marks Ft. Lauderdale LLC
Trump Marks Ft. Lauderdale Member Corp
Trump Marks Golf Swing LLC
Trump Marks Golf Swing Member Corp
Trump Marks GP Corp
Trump Marks Holding LP (FKA Trump Marks LP)
Trump Marks Hollywood Corp
Trump Marks Hollywood LLC
Trump Marks Istanbul II Corp.
Trump Marks Istanbul II LLC
Trump Marks Jersey City Corp.
Trump Marks Jersey City LLC
Trump Marks Las Vegas Corp
Trump Marks Las Vegas LLC
Trump Marks LLC
Trump Marks Magazine Corp
Trump Marks Magazine LLC
Trump Marks Mattress LLC
Trump Marks Mattress Member Corp.
Trump Marks Menswear LLC
Trump Marks Menswear Member Corp
Trump Marks Mortoaoe Corp.
Trump Marks Mtg LLC
Trump Marks Mumbai LLC
Trump Marks Mumbai Member Corp
Trump Marks New Orleans Corp
Trump Marks New Orleans LLC
Trump Marks New Rochelle Corp.
Trump Marks New Rochelle LLC
Trump Marks Palm Beach Corp
Trump Marks Palm Beach LLC
Trump Marks Panama Corp
Trump Marks Panama LLC
Trump Marks Philadelphia Corp
Trump Marks PhiladelPhia LLC
Trump Marks Philippines LLC
Trump Marks Phil ippine s Corp
Trump Marks Products LLC
Trump Marks Products Member Corp
Trump Marks Puerto Rico I LLC
Trump Marks Puerto Rico I Member Corp
Trump Marks Puerto Rico II LLC
Trump Marks Puerto Rico II Member Corp
Trump Marks Punta del Este LLC
Trump Marks Punta del Este Manager Corp
The Donald J. Trump Company LLC
The Trump Marks Real Estate Corp
Trump Marks Real Estate LLC
Trump Marks SOHO License Corp
Trump Marks SOHO LLC
Trump Marks South Africa LLC
Trump Marks South Africa Member Corp
Trump Marks Stamford Corp
Trump Marks Stamford LLC
Trump Marks Sunny Isles I LLC
Trump Marks Sunny Isles I Member Corp.
Trump Marks Sunny Isles II LLC
Trump Marks Sunny Isles II Member Corp.
Trump Marks Tampa Corp
Trump Marks Tampa LLC
Trump Marks Toronto Corp
Trump Marks Toronto LLC
Trump Marks Toronto LP (formally Trump Toronto Management LP)
Trump Marks Waikiki Corp
Trump Marks Waikiki LLC
Trump Marks Westchester Corp.
Trump Marks Westchester LLC
Trump Marks White Plains Corp
Trump Marks White Plains LLC
Trump Miami Resort Management LLC
Trump Miami Resort Management Member Corp
Trump National Golf Club Colts Neck LLC
Trump National Golf Club Colts Neck Member Corp
Trump National Golf Club LLC
Trump National Golf Club Member Corp
Trump National Golf Club Washington DC LLC
Trump National Golf Club Washington DC Member Corp
Trump Ocean Manager Inc.
Trump Ocean Managing Member LLC
Trump Old Post Office LLC
Trump On the Ocean LLC
Trump Organization LLC
The Trump Organization, Inc.
Trump Pageants, Inc.
Trump Palace Condominium
Trump Palace/Parc LLC
Trump Panama Condominium Management LLC
Trump Panama Condominium Member Corp
Trump Panama Hotel Management LLC
Trump Panama Hotel Management Member Corp LLC
Trump Parc East Condominium
Trump Park Avenue Acquisition LLC
Trump Park Avenue LLC
Trump Payroll Chicago LLC
Trump Payroll Corp.
Trump Phoenix Development LLC
Trump Plaza LLC
Trump Plaza Member Inc. fka Trump Plaza Corp.
Trump Procida Fort Lee LLC
Trump Productions LLC (former Rancho Lien LLC)
Trump Production Managing Member Inc
Trump Project Management Corp.
Trump Properties LLC
Trump Realty Services, LLC (fka Trump Mortgage Services LLC (03) & Tower Mortgage Services LLC)
Trump Restaurants LLC
Trump RHF Corp
Trump Riverside Management LLC
Trump Ruffin Commercial LLC
Trump Ruffin LLC
Trump Ruffin Tower I LLC
Trump Sales & Leasing Chicago LLC
Trump Sales & Leasing Chicago Member Corp
Trump Scotland Member Inc
Trump Scotsborough Square LLC
Trump Scotsborough Square Member Corp.
Trump SoHo Hotel Condominium New York
Trump Soho Member LLC
Trump Toronto Development Inc
Trump Toronto Hotel Management Corp.
Trump Toronto Member Corp. (formaly Trump Toronto Management Member Corp)
Trump Tower Commercial LLC
Trump Tower Condominium Residential Section
Trump Tower Managing Member Inc
Trump Village Construction Corp.
Trump Vineyard Estates LLC
Trump Vineyard Estates Manager Corp.
Trump Vineyard Estates Lot 3 Owner LLC (fka Eric Trump Land Holdings LLC)
Trump Virginia Acquisitions LLC (fka Virginia Acquisitions LLC)
Trump Virginia Acquisitions Manager Corp
Trump Virginia Lot 5 LLC
Trump Virginia Lot 5 Manager Corp.
Trump Wine Marks LLC
Trump Wine Marks Member Corp.
Trump World Productions LLC y LLC
Trump World Productions Manager Corp
Trump World Publications LLC
Trump/New World Property Management LLC
Trump Castle Management Corp
Trump Marks White Plains Corp
Trump RHF Corp
The Donald J. Trump grantor Trust – DJT is the Trustee Successor – Trustee is Donald J. Trump, Jr.
The Donald J. Trump Revocable Trust

* Thanks to Quartz.com and writer David Yanofsky (@Yan0) for this list *