"The reason is simple: It made him feel like a big man." Alas, Trump has never been a "big man" and he never will be a "big man." Trump has proven himself both a loser and an incompetent. I started paying some attention to Trump in 1988. He hasn't changed. He never will. History books will tell future generations about Trump. It will not be pretty and, ultimately, he will have taught us some regrettable lessons while he was accomplishing nothing of value for anyone.
An incomplete analysis. There are TWO big things that govern his behavior. One is ego, as you point out. The other is money. The documents represented countless millions of dollars, when sold to foreign governments, like Iran, the Saudis or Russia. Did he actually sell any? That’s the question that haunts our intelligence community and military. The indictment doesn’t address that.
We know how. Trump and his kids sold US foreign policy to dictators around the globe -- it is what Republicans do. If a Republican is elected President in the future, he will move post-haste to surrender to Putin for another big payday (I use he intentionally -- no female will be a Republican nominee).
As much as I’m willing to say there’s not a lot I’d put past him at this point, I think he was more interested in the keepsakes than the money. He can grift off the victimhood -- although weirdly, running for president again actually gets in the way of that. But I think he sees his last campaign as his most likely way out of his legal troubles at this point. If he doesn’t win this election, he’ll die in federal prison, and as much as he lies even to himself, deep down he probably knows it.
For example, could DJT have used any of the Defense Dept. information on Iran to help Jared secure $2B from MBS' fund, or ensure LIV Golf committed to have tournaments (more like Pro-Ams) at his golf clubs (after the PGA had thumbed its nose at DJT after Jan. 6th)?
I am the eternal optimist. We are not yet Nazi America. It could, obviously, happen...but it hasn't happened yet. As someone who was alive in the last years of Nazi Germany, I recognize the dangers. That's why in our home there are cheers every time a January 6th insurrectionist is sentenced to prison.
That is correct -- but if Trump/DeSantis or one of their ilk is elected, not just in 2024 but subsequently, there is a good chance/a high probability of America moving in that direction.
I think you put together a solid psychological profile of Trump.
I'd suggest the following addendum.
For all the attention the Defendant-In-Chief received as president and now receives as wannabe prez again, it's because of the office, not about him as a person.
Trump is still the little obnoxious kid with his face pressed to the glass of respected insiders, as evidenced by his legal team...a mix of second-level (albeit successful) lawyers.
Top of the line, elite, white shoe firms from New York and Washington D.C. won't have anything to do with him.
Sycophantic admirers are there as ramora there as suckerfish off his garish wealth and political power.
Like the Scrooge in the "Christmas Yet Come," (before his epiphany), other than family and carry-on wannabes, no one will really care about the psychologically damaged Donnie at his death.
Chris, totally agree with your assessment. Having been born and raised right outside Manhattan, in NJ, he was in the news all of the time. It was always about him and him alone. He is not a stable person, nor a genius. Praying that this is enough to totally sink his chances in the general election.
Unlikely. The GOP is the party of Trump period. They have no ideology, no principles, no scruples. A cult of personality. That's why the Republican defense of Trump is that he is God and, as such, man's laws don't apply to him.
I think your assessment is right on. I also think Mary Trump would agree. She and Joyce Vance had an interesting conversation about him yesterday. Did you read Joyce’s Substack today?
Chris, you are being too kind to the former President. I agree he has always wanted more than acceptance (especially from his father), to be the "big man in town," and have his name on everything. However, I believe his motives were more sinister and nefarious. I believe he was going to sell then surreptitiously to our enemies. He has the connections, the authenticity of the documents, and willing authoritarian leaders who he openly admires. Just name the price. He also has to pay for all the expensive legal advice he desperately needs. This may come out in time. Right now, I think the former President needs to fashion his orange make-up to match his prison jumpsuit!
"... authoritarian leaders who he openly admires."
I don't think Trump "admires" anyone. But he recognizes power and wealth and is always seeking both. Whether through flattery or barter or any transaction, he is always after more.
I don't think so. I think that Trump saw that Jared got $2B from the Saudis by giving them classified info (which resulted in people getting killed and imprisoned for political "crimes", but Jared didn't care about that - he got his). When the reality that Trump was going to have to leave the White House finally and belatedly dawned on him, his mind turned to the second most important thing to holding on to power: money. He knew that he could do something like what Jared did but he didn't have the time or the brains to do it with any finesse, so he just decided to grab the most important stuff he could put his tiny hands on, take it all to Florida, and figure out later how to monetize it.
I think it is even simpler than that. Trump truly believes that the President is completely above the law and, like a British monarch of old, had the capacity to do anything that he wanted without consequence. For outsiders, his actions may look like cynical political ploys performed by a master showman; but to Trump, he believes that none of his actions were unlawful because as President didn't need to heed any type of legal or constitutional guardrail.
Everything that flows out of his narcissistic behaviour and his transparent transgressions of both law and precedent is tied to that simple belief. As President, he could do no wrong and therefore any legal or constitutional attempt to hold him accountable has to be politically motivated.
Trump has not been appropriately held accountable for his actions throughout life… for major wrongs he’s committed. He thought he could get away with keeping the documents. He has no shame: no sense of loyalty to country.
He inherited a half billion dollars. He should’ve spent some of it on therapy.
"The reason is simple: It made him feel like a big man." Alas, Trump has never been a "big man" and he never will be a "big man." Trump has proven himself both a loser and an incompetent. I started paying some attention to Trump in 1988. He hasn't changed. He never will. History books will tell future generations about Trump. It will not be pretty and, ultimately, he will have taught us some regrettable lessons while he was accomplishing nothing of value for anyone.
I miss Spy magazine which always referred to him as a “short fingered vulgarian.”
His fingers, stubby,
His gut, tubby.
Below that, a nubby.
Sorry, couldn't resist.
You assume that Republicans/the right won't be writing those books. I'd like to think that, but in Nazi America, one never knows.
An incomplete analysis. There are TWO big things that govern his behavior. One is ego, as you point out. The other is money. The documents represented countless millions of dollars, when sold to foreign governments, like Iran, the Saudis or Russia. Did he actually sell any? That’s the question that haunts our intelligence community and military. The indictment doesn’t address that.
As in - how did Jared Kushner get $2 billion from the Saudis? He's no investment genius....
We know how. Trump and his kids sold US foreign policy to dictators around the globe -- it is what Republicans do. If a Republican is elected President in the future, he will move post-haste to surrender to Putin for another big payday (I use he intentionally -- no female will be a Republican nominee).
As much as I’m willing to say there’s not a lot I’d put past him at this point, I think he was more interested in the keepsakes than the money. He can grift off the victimhood -- although weirdly, running for president again actually gets in the way of that. But I think he sees his last campaign as his most likely way out of his legal troubles at this point. If he doesn’t win this election, he’ll die in federal prison, and as much as he lies even to himself, deep down he probably knows it.
I absolutely agree. Follow the money!
For example, could DJT have used any of the Defense Dept. information on Iran to help Jared secure $2B from MBS' fund, or ensure LIV Golf committed to have tournaments (more like Pro-Ams) at his golf clubs (after the PGA had thumbed its nose at DJT after Jan. 6th)?
I am the eternal optimist. We are not yet Nazi America. It could, obviously, happen...but it hasn't happened yet. As someone who was alive in the last years of Nazi Germany, I recognize the dangers. That's why in our home there are cheers every time a January 6th insurrectionist is sentenced to prison.
"We are not yet Nazi America."
That is correct -- but if Trump/DeSantis or one of their ilk is elected, not just in 2024 but subsequently, there is a good chance/a high probability of America moving in that direction.
Chris,
I think you put together a solid psychological profile of Trump.
I'd suggest the following addendum.
For all the attention the Defendant-In-Chief received as president and now receives as wannabe prez again, it's because of the office, not about him as a person.
Trump is still the little obnoxious kid with his face pressed to the glass of respected insiders, as evidenced by his legal team...a mix of second-level (albeit successful) lawyers.
Top of the line, elite, white shoe firms from New York and Washington D.C. won't have anything to do with him.
Sycophantic admirers are there as ramora there as suckerfish off his garish wealth and political power.
Like the Scrooge in the "Christmas Yet Come," (before his epiphany), other than family and carry-on wannabes, no one will really care about the psychologically damaged Donnie at his death.
Good insight. Always the biggest loser.
Chris, totally agree with your assessment. Having been born and raised right outside Manhattan, in NJ, he was in the news all of the time. It was always about him and him alone. He is not a stable person, nor a genius. Praying that this is enough to totally sink his chances in the general election.
I’m hoping it sinks the chances of all the Congressional Republicans out there defending him, as well.
Absolutely.
Unlikely. The GOP is the party of Trump period. They have no ideology, no principles, no scruples. A cult of personality. That's why the Republican defense of Trump is that he is God and, as such, man's laws don't apply to him.
I think your assessment is right on. I also think Mary Trump would agree. She and Joyce Vance had an interesting conversation about him yesterday. Did you read Joyce’s Substack today?
I didn't but will check it out.
Chris, you are being too kind to the former President. I agree he has always wanted more than acceptance (especially from his father), to be the "big man in town," and have his name on everything. However, I believe his motives were more sinister and nefarious. I believe he was going to sell then surreptitiously to our enemies. He has the connections, the authenticity of the documents, and willing authoritarian leaders who he openly admires. Just name the price. He also has to pay for all the expensive legal advice he desperately needs. This may come out in time. Right now, I think the former President needs to fashion his orange make-up to match his prison jumpsuit!
Richard Rosher
"... authoritarian leaders who he openly admires."
I don't think Trump "admires" anyone. But he recognizes power and wealth and is always seeking both. Whether through flattery or barter or any transaction, he is always after more.
If I Did It by Donald J. Trump
Very good analysis! It really is that simple. I always enjoy reading your perspective.
Thanks, David!
Bingo. It’s been about bragging rights all along.
I don't think so. I think that Trump saw that Jared got $2B from the Saudis by giving them classified info (which resulted in people getting killed and imprisoned for political "crimes", but Jared didn't care about that - he got his). When the reality that Trump was going to have to leave the White House finally and belatedly dawned on him, his mind turned to the second most important thing to holding on to power: money. He knew that he could do something like what Jared did but he didn't have the time or the brains to do it with any finesse, so he just decided to grab the most important stuff he could put his tiny hands on, take it all to Florida, and figure out later how to monetize it.
I think it is even simpler than that. Trump truly believes that the President is completely above the law and, like a British monarch of old, had the capacity to do anything that he wanted without consequence. For outsiders, his actions may look like cynical political ploys performed by a master showman; but to Trump, he believes that none of his actions were unlawful because as President didn't need to heed any type of legal or constitutional guardrail.
Everything that flows out of his narcissistic behaviour and his transparent transgressions of both law and precedent is tied to that simple belief. As President, he could do no wrong and therefore any legal or constitutional attempt to hold him accountable has to be politically motivated.
Spot on!
Add this later too:
Trump has not been appropriately held accountable for his actions throughout life… for major wrongs he’s committed. He thought he could get away with keeping the documents. He has no shame: no sense of loyalty to country.