Psychologist Worried About Trump's Mental State, Cites 'Psychosis'

Dr. John Gartner, a psychologist, recently stated that Donald Trump is showing signs of 'full-blown psychosis'. This is a serious concern about his mental state.
By Newsroom | Politics, Mental Health |

Dr. John Gartner, a psychologist and former Johns Hopkins University professor, has recently amplified concerns regarding Donald Trump's mental condition, asserting that the former president has transitioned from mere grandiosity into what he describes as "full-blown psychosis." Gartner’s warnings, reiterated in recent days, suggest that Trump is exhibiting signs of "magical thinking" and what he terms "grandiose delusions of power and worship."

Gartner’s assessment points to specific public actions and pronouncements by Trump as indicators of this alleged mental state. These include proposals for self-aggrandizing public works, such as a planned 'Arc de Trump' as a monument, and an intent to place his name on cultural institutions like the Kennedy Center. The psychologist also cited Trump's reported intention to feature himself on U.S. currency as further evidence.

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Gartner's recent commentary, amplified by outlets like The Daily Beast and Potomac Today, frames Trump's situation as particularly precarious. He has previously suggested Trump's mental "deterioration" is accelerating, likening the former president to a "cornered, wounded animal" when facing political challenges, which Gartner characterizes as the "most vicious and dangerous kind." This perspective posits that Trump's current mental state could precipitate reckless actions posing a threat to the nation's stability.

Underlying Mechanisms of Delusional Thinking

Separate from Gartner's specific pronouncements on Trump, broader psychological research explores the nature of delusional thinking. A 2023 piece in Psychology Today explored how the brains of individuals prone to delusions might function differently. The article highlighted research suggesting that religious believers may lean more on intuitive and heuristic reasoning, often employing bottom-up processing—a more emotional and ancient brain system response to sensory information. Conversely, non-believers were found to be more inclined toward deliberate and analytic reasoning using top-down processing through higher cortical areas. This suggests that variations in cognitive processing, potentially linked to inherited brain circuitry, might underlie delusional thinking and does not always equate to severe mental illness.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is psychologist Dr. John Gartner's main concern about Donald Trump's mental state?
Dr. Gartner recently stated that Donald Trump is showing signs of 'full-blown psychosis'. He believes Trump has moved beyond grandiosity into this more serious mental state.
Q: What specific examples does Dr. Gartner give to support his claims about Trump's mental state?
Gartner points to Trump's public ideas, like wanting an 'Arc de Trump' monument and putting his name on the Kennedy Center. He also mentioned Trump's reported desire to be featured on U.S. currency.
Q: What does Dr. Gartner believe could happen because of Trump's alleged mental state?
The psychologist suggests that Trump's current mental state could lead to dangerous actions. He worries this could threaten the stability of the nation.
Q: What does broader research say about delusional thinking?
Some research suggests that people prone to delusions might use different brain processes. It notes that intuitive reasoning, often linked to belief, might be more common in those with delusional thinking, but this does not always mean severe mental illness.