Trump no doubt a sociopath

In the aftermath of the Parkland School shooting tragedy, one Democratic Congressman called President Trump a “psychopath” or, in other words, a lunatic. I don’t think that is correct. A better, more apt description of President Trump would be “sociopathic.” As families and friends of those murdered were mourning the loss of loved ones and planning funerals, Trump actually turned the focus on himself.

“Very sad that the FBI missed all of the many signals sent out by the Florida school shooter. This is not acceptable. They are spending too much time trying to prove Russian collusion with the Trump campaign – there is no collusion,” the president tweeted.

First of all, that is a ridiculous understanding of how law enforcement actually works. But we know that he makes a lot of ridiculous assertions. But Trump’s tweet, was so crass, so insensitive, so self-consumed that it violated not only conventional norms but also common decency.

From Psychology Today, consider the following characteristics of a sociopath:

• Superficial charm and good intelligence

• Untruthfulness and insincerity

• Lack of remorse and shame

• Pathologic egocentricity and incapacity for love

• Lack of empathy

According to Dr. Donald W. Black from the University of Iowa, sociopathy is “a syndrome characterized by lifelong misbehavior.” 

From the Urban Dictionary: “Sociopaths are people who have little to no conscience. They will lie, cheat, steal and manipulate others for their own benefit. If you are naïve enough, they will brainwash you into doing exactly what they say and what they want which is the only time a sociopath is truly happy.” Sound familiar?

There are other characteristics that fit the bill when it comes to Trump such as anger and irritability; and impulsivity. Hard to argue with those two.

And there is one very clinical sounding definition referred to as “self-direction.” This is defined as goal setting based on personal gratification; absence of prosocial internal standards associated with failure to conform to lawful or culturally normative ethical behavior.” Which brings us back full circle to his tweet about the FBI and the Parkland shooting.

Where do you stand? 

Michael Sarafa is Co-Publisher of the Chaldean News.