The quote above is paraphrased from the 1962 neo-noir political thriller, The Manchurian Candidate. The original name was Raymond Shaw. In that film, soldiers had been brainwashed by Chinese and Soviet communists after their platoon was captured during the Korean War. When asked about their platoon leader, Raymond Shaw, the triggered response was repeated verbatim, singing his praise.
I bring up the false fawning praise line to compare it to similar adoration used by Trump’s staff and cabinet members. They have realized that their favor is heightened and their career survival chances slightly better, when they stroke the president’s ego. His narcissism requires constant assurance. Such narcissistic behavior often stems from a childhood defined by either extreme emotional neglect or unconditional overindulgence. Such childhood experiences prevent the development of a healthy, internal self-worth. The narcissist creates a “false self” that requires external validation to function.
We can only guess at “The Donald’s” childhood. We do know that his elder brother and father’s namesake, Fred Trump Jr., was disparaged and belittled for not joining the family real estate business. Fred Jr., became an airline pilot, was estranged from the family, became an alcoholic, and died at age 42. His sister, Mary Trump, described a cruel family environment that didn’t understand love or empathy. Donald Trump went into real estate and avoided the wrath and humiliation.
Whatever triggered Donald Trump’s NPD, or narcissistic personality disorder, we must now all suffer the result. The emotional crater left by his early childhood is now filled with overindulgence, a sense of entitlement, and a bottomless pit of need. His false confidence belies his fragile ego that needs these reassurances to survive.
We also know that he invented an alter ego, John Barron or sometimes John Miller, to plant stories in the media singing his own praises, inflating his net worth, and boosting his image. It is likely that his son Barron’s name was chosen from the pseudonym.
We must now all suffer hearing Steve Witkoff tell Trump that serving him is the, “Greatest honor of my life.” And Rick Perry and Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke say that they are, “Deeply honored” or “it’s an honor to be on the team.” We have former Chief of staff Reince Pribus telling him that it is a, “Privilege to serve your agenda.”
Other cabinet members routinely say, “Thank you for the opportunity and the blessing,” to describe working for Trump. He has also been told that he is, “The single finest candidate since the Nobel Peace Prize was established.” Elon Musk fawned that his was the, “Greatest administration since the founding of the country.” At other times we have heard, “Thanks for being absolutely right, Mr. President.
The quotes above are frequently uttered during public facing portions of cabinet meetings where they shower, gush, and heap praise upon him. This all reminds me of a character from my past. While in college I parked cars at the Boca Raton Hotel & Club. One of the hotel regulars was called, "The Count." It was well known by the staff that if you loudly addressed him with his “title” you got a tip. He kept both $1 and $5 bills tightly rolled in separate pockets and your tip depended upon how many people might have heard you loudly say, “How’s your day going COUNT?”
I don’t know about the rest of the country, but I am sick and tired of hearing the fake platitudes needed to keep this man’s ego on an even keel. I guess it's better than having him start a war or something. Oh wait, too late. It may be time to play some solitaire.
“Why don’t you play a little solitaire?”—The Manchurian Candidate.
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