Epstein Files Frenzy and Court Losses Fuel Trump’s Collapse
Shrinking Trump
Branding, Manipulation, and Personal Charm
They reflect on Trump's media skills, charisma in private, and how he manipulates supporters and elites.
One of your favorite psychologists, Harry Segal, is back to describe and interpret Trump’s strange behaviors this week, from his tone-deaf response to the Epstein-Maxwell victims to his mysterious medical symptoms. Since John Gartner is on assignment, Ahmed Baba, columnist, journalist, and frequent pundit on cable news, sits in as Harry’s guest co-host. (Check out his bestselling Substack newsletter: AhmedBaba.News.) And be sure to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts:
They dive straight into Trump’s two recent court defeats—one over tariffs, another over immigration restrictions—and ask why he keeps dragging outdated laws back into the spotlight. Rather than solving real problems, these lawsuits feel like rehearsals for the next manufactured crisis, with each loss chipping away at his claims of unchecked authority.
They turn next to ICE raids and Trump’s fiery rhetoric about cities like Chicago. When Governor J.B. Pritzker publicly rebuked the suggestion of federal troops on Illinois soil, Baba unpacks the political calculations and racial undertones driving that showdown. It becomes clear this tug-of-war isn’t just about policy; it’s about how power is flexed when constitutional guardrails start feeling optional.
The episode also confronts Trump’s lingering ties to Jeffrey Epstein. Survivors and advocates are demanding the release of Epstein’s files, yet Trump brushed the whole scandal off as a hoax—an impulsive reaction that only deepens doubts about his judgment. With approval ratings sagging, Siegel and Baba trace how these knee-jerk defenses betray deeper cognitive strains, calling into question Trump’s ability to respond thoughtfully under pressure.
Through it all, Shrinking Trump never loses sight of its mission: to spotlight the mind games at work and equip us for the battles ahead. By naming the psychological warning signs—whether it’s crisis-manufacturing lawsuits or off-the-cuff dismissals of serious allegations—we reclaim a degree of clarity in a chaotic political landscape. Listening here isn’t just about critique; it’s about shoring up our own defenses and reminding ourselves why democratic norms matter.
Catch this episode of Shrinking Trump on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you tune in. You’ll walk away not just with a sharper take on Trump’s latest maneuvers, but with the language to call out authoritarian playbooks the moment they emerge.
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