At 4:52 this afternoon, the President of the United States stopped in front of the waiting press pool for less than four minutes to take questions from reporters already lined up to talk to him, and almost immediately, you could hear the frustration in his voice. He snapped at a female reporter, telling her, “You don’t know anything,” shortly after saying, “Whether we make a deal or not makes no difference to me” about ongoing negotiations in the Iran war. And then, with his temper visibly escalating, he threatened China as he walked toward Marine One, on his way to Miami to attend UFC 327...
Narcissists don’t cope well with humiliation. When they feel exposed or out of control, they lash out, double down, escalate, and often resort to smear campaigns instead of self-reflection. That’s why, whenever he’s asked a question he doesn’t like, his instinct is to insult rather than answer.
At the same time, he’s telling reporters that Iran’s leadership has been wiped out, while his own VP is photographed shaking hands with them on the other side of the world. The contradiction doesn’t seem to matter, because he knows his supporters will accept whatever he says. Regardless if they do, he’s performing for his own audience - himself. And for anyone who believes him.
What’s more concerning is the sense that he simply doesn’t care anymore. He is at breaking point! If he believes he’s on the way out and has lost confidence within his own ranks, then humiliation becomes a trigger. And for someone like that, going quietly isn’t an option, as we saw in 2021.
He’s been made to look foolish by a country he dismisses through crude stereotypes. In reality, Iran has a highly educated population and strong literacy rates. Stronger than most countries. Yet he sent ill informed and uneducated representatives to a peace talk with seasoned, highly credentialed negotiators.
Now he’s also the target of widely shared Iranian LEGO satire videos, viewed by millions. Iranian Embassies are trolling him on X and ridiculing his posts on his own platform. The ridicule is global, and it’s relentless. And for someone driven by ego, that kind of public embarrassment is combustible. When narcissists feel cornered, they don’t step back, they push harder.
I attach a lot of importance to your clear, principled, independent reporting. You and others like you play a huge role in keeping the truth alive in an increasingly authoritarian landscape, and I have now put my money where my mouth is and upgraded to a paid subscription on your Substack account.
Keep up the good work Heather and if you’re ever in Scotland you can have a drink on me.
PS: fingers crossed for the right result in Hungary today. I’m hoping that Vance’s show of support will be the kiss of death that Orban’s regime so richly deserves.
I must admit I am surprised his overall rating is 39, I would have guessed below 30. I believe the reason the word, fake, is tossed around so freely and frequently by 47 is because he is a fake person, a fake husband, a fake father, a fake businessman, a fake candidate (recall the many debates he did not attend), a fake golfer, and a fake, very fake, president. Donald J. Trump is an empty shell of a human being, an empty-headed executive, and as a result, does nothing but echo, echo words and expressions of ‘low IQ’, ‘nasty’, ‘failed’, and ‘fake’. I look forward to someday seeing a headline along the lines of ‘the 47th President of what once was the United States is no longer in office’.
Hi Mary - I always wonder if the epithets he spews - “low IQ,” “nasty,” etc. are actually filtered versions of what he would like to say, which is much more profane. We have seen him let loose at times. I expect we will see less and less restraint as his mental condition continues to decline.
Catherine, I’ve been worried too, but decided to contribute to our movement’s positive energy yesterday by showing up at a protest of the ICE facility in red Hendersonville, NC. It was deeply fulfilling—there wasn’t any worry going on, just strength and joy, along with amazingly , energetic honks and thumbs ups from passersby.
Covering official insanity is very difficult for journalists. With Trump as president there are at least three simultaneous stories which need to be clearly distinguished and labeled for clarity's sake: 1) Trump himself, which is that of a raving lunatic inside his bubble, talking to himself and fantasizing about the outside world as he wishes and believes it to be (which is not "lying" or "strategizing" because he has no realistic sense of the truth to begin with); 2) the actual outside world apart from and surrounding him; and 3) the interactions between the two, reality and fantasy, enabled and/or impeded by those in government and politics around him. You are so good at what you do, Heather, and your well-deserved huge public obviously gratefully relies heavily on you.
The clearest example and evidence of Trump's separation from the real world inside his own bubble is the Iran war, which has no rationale, no strategy, no real-world goals, no exit ramp, and is originally just his own fantasy.
Could Trump have gone to see fighters in a cage while issues of war and peace were being “negotiated” by our amateurs because he was drawn to a performance echoing his presidency? It’s all about performance for him and inflicting injury is how the bully gets his highs. He has created his own cage for all to see.
Just watched the Springsteen concert highlights. His Minnesota song should be made into a hit record. It would make no1
So so sad for you guys. You are having a tough time. Time for the Democrats to brave up and start objecting to what is going on. The corruption coming from these White House is visible to all and the stench Unbearable.
Talks have failed having barely started because the rotten White House army want to start playing war games again. Is there not a single decent person around Trump who can lay a hand on his arm and say “ENOUGH” you are not well. Let’s rethink how we want to go forward.
As Nero strummed a lyre while Rome burned and ended up blaming and burning Christians so Trump marks his own impotence by watching men bashing each other up in a cage and looks forward immolating democracy in his own country by destroying a free press. Just a thought, fleeing through my mind at the moment isn’t it about time that Melania came out and stood behind the presidential podium and marks the current economic crisis by saying “let them eat cake”.
It’s a Reality TV presidency: nothing but show- no actual substance, no actual experts at the table. He only has to look like a president, not be one. And all he wants-and expects- from us is to just keep watching the show. So time to change the channel.
Way back when this man decided to throw his hat in the ring almost as a whim the press were gleeful ..they saw what was essentially a joke and ran with it..they watched in amazement how this brash egomaniac threw all the rules of decorum and normalcy out the window. They watched him survive a disgusting Access Hollywood tape that would bury any other man most especially one running for the highest office in the land. They heard him brag on numerous occasions how he could shoot someone on 5th Ave and his supporters would never leave him. They watched him with open mouths like those who can’t take their eyes off a train wreck and they were obsessed..they covered him..if it bleeds it leads. Their fascination with him ..because they had never seen ANYTHING like him ..gave him more oxygen than any other ..in short they created him…like Dr Frankenstein and his monster. Now he’s shutting them up because he CAN they’re slowly being taken over by his cronies who hate him but use him and need him right now. Those networks and news outlets who still remain free of his hold MUST reverse this damage..they MUST stand up to him and only report the facts the truth..they must not kowtow to his threats and we MUST DEMAND TO SEE AND HEAR THE TRUTH..THE WHOLE TRUTH AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH. Tell them that any way
you can.SPEAK UP AND SPEAK OUT..support Independent journalists like Heather and Substack…be aware don’t be fooled . Those of us who do not support him are not victims of Trump Derangement Syndrome as he calls it TDR…those who support him are the ones with TDR…Trump DELUSION Syndrome…they’re the ones in total denial ..deluded into believing the raft of shit that is his complete and total persona. Get busy we can’t wait until November.
Trump is a profoundly unserious corrupt bully with nothing to offer but lies and insults and a hand out for serious money from people who can afford to pay him whatever his going rate is. His negotiators have been profoundly unserious people with no business trying to negotiate when they come to the table with demands rather than authority to negotiate and with no experience in negotiating anything other than business deals for mutual advantage. Sending fools and toadies to negotiate while watching a UFC match is not a serious strategy and Pakistan could not have missed that signal nor could the Iranian negotiators.
I saw a story regarding the consolidation of media being purchased by trump’s billionaire buddies and being changed (like CBS News for example) There is good online reporting (thank you) but most Americans are not getting the full story. Has someone done a report on who is buying up major media? Worried about elections in Hungary as there’s so much manipulation and the elections have been structured to favor the dictator. Here’s hoping!
39% is a lot given the human POS he is. I mean, it’s almost 40. This fucking piece of garbage has an approval rating of almost 40%. And somewhere there’s another tiresome and ineffective protest being planned. WTF are we even doing???
Narcissists don’t cope well with humiliation. When they feel exposed or out of control, they lash out, double down, escalate, and often resort to smear campaigns instead of self-reflection. That’s why, whenever he’s asked a question he doesn’t like, his instinct is to insult rather than answer.
At the same time, he’s telling reporters that Iran’s leadership has been wiped out, while his own VP is photographed shaking hands with them on the other side of the world. The contradiction doesn’t seem to matter, because he knows his supporters will accept whatever he says. Regardless if they do, he’s performing for his own audience - himself. And for anyone who believes him.
What’s more concerning is the sense that he simply doesn’t care anymore. He is at breaking point! If he believes he’s on the way out and has lost confidence within his own ranks, then humiliation becomes a trigger. And for someone like that, going quietly isn’t an option, as we saw in 2021.
He’s been made to look foolish by a country he dismisses through crude stereotypes. In reality, Iran has a highly educated population and strong literacy rates. Stronger than most countries. Yet he sent ill informed and uneducated representatives to a peace talk with seasoned, highly credentialed negotiators.
Now he’s also the target of widely shared Iranian LEGO satire videos, viewed by millions. Iranian Embassies are trolling him on X and ridiculing his posts on his own platform. The ridicule is global, and it’s relentless. And for someone driven by ego, that kind of public embarrassment is combustible. When narcissists feel cornered, they don’t step back, they push harder.
I attach a lot of importance to your clear, principled, independent reporting. You and others like you play a huge role in keeping the truth alive in an increasingly authoritarian landscape, and I have now put my money where my mouth is and upgraded to a paid subscription on your Substack account.
Keep up the good work Heather and if you’re ever in Scotland you can have a drink on me.
PS: fingers crossed for the right result in Hungary today. I’m hoping that Vance’s show of support will be the kiss of death that Orban’s regime so richly deserves.
And ironically enough, if Orban loses JD will catch the blame for not being a stronger backer. Trump loves the bottom side of the bus.
He lost, now it will get interesting for JD and Trump.
I must admit I am surprised his overall rating is 39, I would have guessed below 30. I believe the reason the word, fake, is tossed around so freely and frequently by 47 is because he is a fake person, a fake husband, a fake father, a fake businessman, a fake candidate (recall the many debates he did not attend), a fake golfer, and a fake, very fake, president. Donald J. Trump is an empty shell of a human being, an empty-headed executive, and as a result, does nothing but echo, echo words and expressions of ‘low IQ’, ‘nasty’, ‘failed’, and ‘fake’. I look forward to someday seeing a headline along the lines of ‘the 47th President of what once was the United States is no longer in office’.
Hi Mary - I always wonder if the epithets he spews - “low IQ,” “nasty,” etc. are actually filtered versions of what he would like to say, which is much more profane. We have seen him let loose at times. I expect we will see less and less restraint as his mental condition continues to decline.
Interesting thought, PS, I hadn’t thought that way. Thank you.
Love your work. But I’m worried november might be too late…
Catherine, I’ve been worried too, but decided to contribute to our movement’s positive energy yesterday by showing up at a protest of the ICE facility in red Hendersonville, NC. It was deeply fulfilling—there wasn’t any worry going on, just strength and joy, along with amazingly , energetic honks and thumbs ups from passersby.
Thank you for showing up and sharing.
Covering official insanity is very difficult for journalists. With Trump as president there are at least three simultaneous stories which need to be clearly distinguished and labeled for clarity's sake: 1) Trump himself, which is that of a raving lunatic inside his bubble, talking to himself and fantasizing about the outside world as he wishes and believes it to be (which is not "lying" or "strategizing" because he has no realistic sense of the truth to begin with); 2) the actual outside world apart from and surrounding him; and 3) the interactions between the two, reality and fantasy, enabled and/or impeded by those in government and politics around him. You are so good at what you do, Heather, and your well-deserved huge public obviously gratefully relies heavily on you.
The clearest example and evidence of Trump's separation from the real world inside his own bubble is the Iran war, which has no rationale, no strategy, no real-world goals, no exit ramp, and is originally just his own fantasy.
Excellent observation, George.
Could Trump have gone to see fighters in a cage while issues of war and peace were being “negotiated” by our amateurs because he was drawn to a performance echoing his presidency? It’s all about performance for him and inflicting injury is how the bully gets his highs. He has created his own cage for all to see.
Just watched the Springsteen concert highlights. His Minnesota song should be made into a hit record. It would make no1
So so sad for you guys. You are having a tough time. Time for the Democrats to brave up and start objecting to what is going on. The corruption coming from these White House is visible to all and the stench Unbearable.
Talks have failed having barely started because the rotten White House army want to start playing war games again. Is there not a single decent person around Trump who can lay a hand on his arm and say “ENOUGH” you are not well. Let’s rethink how we want to go forward.
As Nero strummed a lyre while Rome burned and ended up blaming and burning Christians so Trump marks his own impotence by watching men bashing each other up in a cage and looks forward immolating democracy in his own country by destroying a free press. Just a thought, fleeing through my mind at the moment isn’t it about time that Melania came out and stood behind the presidential podium and marks the current economic crisis by saying “let them eat cake”.
It’s a Reality TV presidency: nothing but show- no actual substance, no actual experts at the table. He only has to look like a president, not be one. And all he wants-and expects- from us is to just keep watching the show. So time to change the channel.
Way back when this man decided to throw his hat in the ring almost as a whim the press were gleeful ..they saw what was essentially a joke and ran with it..they watched in amazement how this brash egomaniac threw all the rules of decorum and normalcy out the window. They watched him survive a disgusting Access Hollywood tape that would bury any other man most especially one running for the highest office in the land. They heard him brag on numerous occasions how he could shoot someone on 5th Ave and his supporters would never leave him. They watched him with open mouths like those who can’t take their eyes off a train wreck and they were obsessed..they covered him..if it bleeds it leads. Their fascination with him ..because they had never seen ANYTHING like him ..gave him more oxygen than any other ..in short they created him…like Dr Frankenstein and his monster. Now he’s shutting them up because he CAN they’re slowly being taken over by his cronies who hate him but use him and need him right now. Those networks and news outlets who still remain free of his hold MUST reverse this damage..they MUST stand up to him and only report the facts the truth..they must not kowtow to his threats and we MUST DEMAND TO SEE AND HEAR THE TRUTH..THE WHOLE TRUTH AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH. Tell them that any way
you can.SPEAK UP AND SPEAK OUT..support Independent journalists like Heather and Substack…be aware don’t be fooled . Those of us who do not support him are not victims of Trump Derangement Syndrome as he calls it TDR…those who support him are the ones with TDR…Trump DELUSION Syndrome…they’re the ones in total denial ..deluded into believing the raft of shit that is his complete and total persona. Get busy we can’t wait until November.
I pray with all my heart that Hungary is relased from Orban!! And that America is released soon from trump!
Trump is a profoundly unserious corrupt bully with nothing to offer but lies and insults and a hand out for serious money from people who can afford to pay him whatever his going rate is. His negotiators have been profoundly unserious people with no business trying to negotiate when they come to the table with demands rather than authority to negotiate and with no experience in negotiating anything other than business deals for mutual advantage. Sending fools and toadies to negotiate while watching a UFC match is not a serious strategy and Pakistan could not have missed that signal nor could the Iranian negotiators.
I’ve been saving paragraphs of your writing every day, helping to create a record of these times—not for myself, but for my kids and grandkids.
Restack them!
I saw a story regarding the consolidation of media being purchased by trump’s billionaire buddies and being changed (like CBS News for example) There is good online reporting (thank you) but most Americans are not getting the full story. Has someone done a report on who is buying up major media? Worried about elections in Hungary as there’s so much manipulation and the elections have been structured to favor the dictator. Here’s hoping!
The fake reign of that fake king will end in true blood.
39% is a lot given the human POS he is. I mean, it’s almost 40. This fucking piece of garbage has an approval rating of almost 40%. And somewhere there’s another tiresome and ineffective protest being planned. WTF are we even doing???