The Daily Beast Podcast Why Ailing Trump Is Paranoid About Mental Decline
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Jan 5, 2026 Dr. John Gartner, a clinical psychologist and former Johns Hopkins faculty member, discusses the troubling implications of Donald Trump’s paranoia and visible health issues. He argues that Trump’s behavior reflects a dangerous mix of malignant narcissism and possible frontotemporal dementia. Gartner highlights observable signs like speech patterns and physical symptoms that raise concern. The risk of a leader with a deteriorating mind could have catastrophic effects on governance and foreign policy, making this a crucial conversation for understanding the current political climate.
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Paranoia Preceded Dementia
- John D. Gartner says paranoia was present in Donald Trump before dementia and is central to malignant narcissism.
- Dementia amplifies paranoia, making it more grotesque and primitive over time.
Visibility As A Strategy
- Gartner notes Trump's strategy is to flood the public with obvious symptoms rather than hide them.
- That visibility normalizes and desensitizes observers to his declining functioning.
'25th Time' Reveals Fixation
- Gartner highlights Trump's repeated '25th time' remark as revealing fixation on removal from office.
- This remark reflects malignant narcissist paranoia about threats to power.
