“The same patterns that destabilize families destabilize democracies.” – HUFFPOST quote, May 23, 2025
By Mike Wood
PEACHTREE CORNERS, Ga. | In May 2020, I suggested in GwinnettForum that one 2020 presidential candidate apparently had dementia and that the other appeared demented.
Wood
Unfortunately, hindsight now shows both assessments to be accurate. The second presidential candidate, Donald Trump, lost the 2020 election but won it in 2024. Now we need to address what makes him demented. The prime cause is narcissism, one that has morphed beyond a personality disorder into a pathology.
When narcissistic control seeps into political leadership, it distorts truth, erodes trust, and destabilizes civic and government institutions. The same patterns that destabilize families destabilize democracies. Along with the magnetic worldview and vision of the pathological narcissist come denial, attack, reversal of blame, and emotional chaos.
Narcissistic control in government thrives on flipping the script and silencing watchdogs. Authoritarian leaders manufacture a psychological state of volatile uncertainty — where outcomes aren’t just not unknown, but are constantly shifting and unpredictable.
Call that state “moving the goalposts” which involves constantly reversing policies or public positions so that citizens, the media, and allies remain unmoored. Anyone familiar with narcissistic pathology understands the deeper maneuver: whether consciously or not, narcissists hold power by keeping others in a state of psychological whiplash. The more aggressive versions use confusion, despair, and emotional bonds, like loyalty, to control how others think and feel, secure a constant flow of admiration or negative reactivity, shield themselves from shame, and keep others attached to them, even against their best interests.
Among these tactics, perhaps the most effective is “crisis manufacturing.” It keeps others in survival mode, distracts from deeper issues, and ensures the narcissist stays at the center of attention and maintains control.
When these negative activities trap people, they/we must learn how to return to grounded, organized action. Among the steps:
- Begin with grieving what cannot be changed;
- Focus, with fierce clarity, on what remains within reach;
- Set boundaries and refuse to give power to someone who thrives on your reactivity;
- Stop playing along or exhausting your energy in cycles of infighting;
- Name the tactics, call out the harms, cultivate trusted support, and let go of things beyond your control.
What else can we do?
- Stop enabling and realize that reactive efforts to clean up the damage often backfire, shielding narcissists from accountability and allowing them to retain influence. On a political level, this means pausing to strategize with others before rushing in to fix the narcissist’s mess;
- Become sturdy and repetitive, not reactive, i.e., a boring target for someone addicted to power;
- Set boundaries, such as working with others to reestablish constitutional guardrails, such as due process, checks and balances, and freedom of speech;
Maintain faith in the long game.
Narcissistic dynamics rely on urgency and alarm. Deep change comes from staying calm, clear, and connected. Never mimic harmful tactics. Instead, set boundaries, participate in civic mobilization, and use long-term strategies to begin healing the democratic spirit of the republic.
Let this step help curtail the outlandish and harmful ways that narcissists harm us and others no matter whether in government, business, social or family life.
- Have a comment? Click here to send an email.
Follow Us