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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsFormer CIA profiler Jerrold Post on Donald Trump's "dangerous charisma"
It is obvious even to the untrained eye that Donald Trump is mentally, emotionally and psychologically unwell. Trump has shown himself to be detached from empirical reality, vengeful, a compulsive liar and a probable sexual predator. He lacks empathy, care or concern for others, and possesses utter contempt for the rule of law, the Constitution and other restrictions on his behavior. In total as leading mental health professionals have repeatedly warned Trumps behavior appears to be sociopathic.For those and many other reasons, Trump merits impeachment and removal from office. But this state of emergency is also an opportunity for hostile foreign countries (especially Russia, led by Vladimir Putin, a former KGB officer) as well as Americas friends to advance their own interests over those of the United States by manipulating a psychologically vulnerable president.
https://www.salon.com/2019/12/02/former-cia-profiler-jerrold-post-on-donald-trumps-dangerous-charisma/?fbclid=IwAR3gTBkTdSX43S1N6ctLtp0k8CvVXtS_vYYyztaAv_BkVz5ELPcLO7TWIEY
wnylib
(21,731 posts)Hortensis
(58,785 posts)Not all sociopaths are in the least charming, much less all charismatic, of course, but they are notably charismatic in higher percentages than normal people.
Trump has been exhibiting that trait, along with the others mentioned, for decades.
Something like 1 in 5 are sociopathic, and most of us have known a number of them over our lives. The leader of a playground group who always target socially vulnerable victims. How about a popular office leader whose spiteful sabotage of some unfortunate is embraced by some as part of the enjoyment of being around and accepted into the circle of that fun person. SO common as to be "normal."
wnylib
(21,731 posts)there are msny of them around and I have known a few. I also know that there are people who find him charismatic. I used to work with a woman who swooned at the sound of his name, but she was peculiar in other ways, too.
I'm just saying that I feel nothing toward him but revulsion and loathing.'
Hortensis
(58,785 posts)on our negative reactions also, though certainly his actions would seem to be a complete explanation in themselves.
NewJeffCT
(56,829 posts)will stick with him even if he shoots somebody on 5th Avenue - that's definitely a certain kind of charisma
wnylib
(21,731 posts)attraction is. He's ugly, utterly self-centered, sadistic, phony, dishonest, etc, etc. The grinch song seems made for him.
But I have noticed that he sometimes uses a voice tone that could be hypnotic to.some people. It comes across to me as shallow and phony, but apparently not to his cult followers.
NJCher
(35,807 posts)Have you noticed it?
When hes talking about Article 2 and how it lets him do anything he wants.
wnylib
(21,731 posts)things he says and his criminal ties and history, is why I also call him Don the don.
stage left
(2,967 posts)JFK had charisma
Bill Clinton had charisma
Barack Obama has charisma
Donald Trump? He has something, but it sure as hell isn't charisma.
DeminPennswoods
(15,294 posts)It's a the charisma of a sociopath, but still charisma.
wnylib
(21,731 posts)who found Charles Manson charismatic.
murielm99
(30,780 posts)of those you listed. It knocks one back, gives a jolt of happiness and energy. It is hard to describe. I have met two of the three.
He was never a President, but I think Jesse Jackson has it, too. I have met him and shaken his hand.
LiberalLovinLug
(14,178 posts)NewJeffCT
(56,829 posts)doesn't mean a certain segment of the populace doesn't love Trump and find him charismatic
Trump has bad charisma, like Jim Jones who certainly got people to die for him.
Doc_Technical
(3,528 posts)SammyWinstonJack
(44,130 posts)Charisma?
dameatball
(7,402 posts)posts in the past that did not think Adam Schiff had charisma. At this point I think most of us would agree that he has plenty. But...that does not mean that Trump supporters see it the same way. No need for me to comment further as this stuff has been addressed over and over, but that is the real issue...we are just different.
wnylib
(21,731 posts)Farmer-Rick
(10,229 posts)They have idiocy and it attracts other idiots and malivant dictators. Shorty Putin put him in charge because idiots are easy to control. If not for Shorty Putin, Traitor Trump would be just another broke idiot.
The Animator
(1,138 posts)Donald Trump does have a lot of charisma.
So did Hitler.
But their charisma doesnt resonate with us for a variety of reasons.
1) We are, generally, better educated than the majority of his base.
2) his bullshit runs counter to our core values
3) Our BS detectors are fully functional
4) We are so used to our opposition negotiating in bad faith that we suspicious of his bullshit from day 1
mopinko
(70,307 posts)if we miss this angle of the situation, we really miss something incredibly important that just must be overturned. of all the things people ignore, his outright insanity, played out every day, disturbs me the most deeply.
i want that big physical among the counts. it was expressly supposed to allay fears about his mental fitness.
this is a thing they do in the military. this isnt 'hey doc, can you help us talk dad into giving up the car keys.' this is- a prescribed set of exams to determine mental fitness for command in war.
i want the world to know that he corrupted a navy officer, got him to lie from the white house podium, then tried to reward him w a plum job.
i want the medical records made public.
i want dr ronnie feelgood brought up on charges, and i want him to die in the brig.
maybe this seems small in the grand scheme of things, but imho, it should be front and center. not just because of how bad this actually was, but because it is just one more in a long string of corrupt acts that all follow the SAME.FUCKING.THUG.PLAYBOOK.
Dark n Stormy Knight
(9,773 posts)I've read definitions or descriptions of charisma which seem exclude Trump, but most don't.
Some, for instance, suggest "charm" is involved. It's hard for me to imagine anyone finding Trump "charming," as the NYT's Maggie Haberman has called him. I don't care what smarmy, schmoozy behavior he might exhibit. Knowing what I know about him, I'd never be "charmed." But many are.
Here's merriam-webster.com with a definition that certianly applies to Trump:
His success was largely due to his charisma.
2: a special magnetic charm or appeal
the charisma of a popular actor
Others unequivocally exclude Trump:
https://www.skillsyouneed.com/ips/charisma.html