Understanding A Narcissistic Politician

"The narcissist devours people, consumes their output, and casts the empty, writhing shells aside." ~ Sam Vaknin

"The thing about narcissistic people is that they don't think they're being narcissistic." ~ Michael Ian Black

"Half of the harm that is done in this world is due to people who want to feel important. They don't mean to do harm. But the harm does not interest them." ~ T. S. Eliot

"I don't think Trump is a deeply self-aware person. But he's absolutely off the charts as a narcissist. He is the consummate narcissistic salesman. He is in fact a sick man. And that's potentially very dangerous. The only positive thing about Trump is that he has no ideology, he is an empty vessel, surrounded by people who give him ideas, and it only matters which ideas will shine the light on Trump." ~ John Dean

"Show me someone without an ego, and I'll show you a loser - having a healthy ego, or high opinion of yourself, is a real positive in life!" ~ Donald Trump

"The other reason why people don't take a stand, which is very true in this election, is looking at [Donald] Trump and fearing reprisal, fearing reprisal from someone who is seeking the highest, most powerful role in the land, who has had a history of doing everything from attacks, threats and lawsuits and who has a complete kind of vengeful, narcissistic behavior, which makes people legitimately worried, almost like a schoolyard bully, that if I step up, am I going to be targeted, too?" ~ Reid Hoffman

Reimagined in the mind of an international-stage politician conditioned by Paranoid Personality Disorder, Narcissistic Personality Disorder, and Antisocial Personality Disorder, and heavily conditioned by tribalism, ego protection, and in-party defense, leadership is a strategic method of power and self-preservation.

Mutual respect and trust are not the way people are constructed into the mindset but rather evolved based on usefulness. Personal loyalty is the only currency that is valuable, association is conditional, a one-way system where membership is based on total obedience.

Anyone who does not serve your own political interests is cast aside, their criticism silenced, their existence marginalized to a cost. In such a view, praise is not valued, but assumed, and only people who try to win favour from wealthy or influential people are rewarded. Diversity becomes a threat to domination, and voices of dissent to the political narrative are silenced, cancelled, or destroyed.

Power is maintained not by transparency but by emotional distance, intimidation, and a cold detachment that disorients and unsettles. Rules are intentionally ambiguous, inconsistent, and selectively enforced in order to keep subordinates off-balance, so that fear and dependence are greater than any sense of stability.

Deliberate ambiguity takes the place of transparency. Domination is expressed through manipulation, lying, and emotional detachment, and it shows that empathy or vulnerability are somethings to be avoided.

Political success is a zero-sum game. Other people's success isn't to be admired but undermined or flat-out stolen. Notoriety is a resource monopolized at the top, and cooperation is looked upon as suspect unless it builds up your authority. Unity or political blocs is threatening, division is smart. Encouraging competition, suspicion, and strife ensures no one will challenge your political power.

Conflict is not a hindrance but an instrument, a tool to shame publicly, humiliate, and dominate other politicians or individuals such as lawmakers or judges that threaten you via their power. People who challenge your authority are labeled as threats, and blame is deflected to protect your image.

Change is met with skepticism and inflexibility, since adjustment means compromise, and compromise means weakness. The emotional and practical requirements of others do not matter unless they strengthen your political agenda.