What is meant by Trump’s narcissism? In this article from the Los Angeles Review of Books, BPSI Faculty and Member, and Harvard historian Elizabeth Lunbeck unpacks the president’s appeal to his constituents, finding a capability where others find a pathological diagnosis. Exploring the popular and medical definitions of the term, Lunbeck provocatively also suggests its flipside–the charm and charisma that often gets political leaders ahead.
The current presidency demonstrates as much the capacities as the liabilities associated with this personality disorder. Narcissism has become Trump’s tool to connect to his constituents and earn their submission to his leadership. A disorder to some, narcissism is a key reason for Trump’s success.
