“There is only one thing in the world worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about”, wrote Oscar Wilde in his novel 135 years ago. This particular saying comes to mind when I come across every new article about Donald Trump. I am trying to evaluate a harsh criticism of his actions or notice any flattery and a slight sign of admiration towards his personality.
His controversial nature opens up a field of possibilities and topics for research. Linguists study his speeches to detect typical aggressive lexical markers. The U.S. President uses high levels of aggressive language and radical statements. Psychologists study his patterns of behaviour in various spheres of life.
Economists emphasize the potential for increased inflation and recession risks under Trump’s policies. His attempts to deport millions of migrant workers can affect the labour market, leading to increased labour costs. There have been significant concerns about the future stability of the U.S. economy.
In March 2025, President Trump proceeded with implementing tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico which led to harsh disputes. He has also made several statements suggesting that Canada should become the 51st state of the United States. He warned he would use “economic force” to encourage Canada to join the U.S., which strained U.S.-Canada relations and sparked criticism. Under Donald Trump’s presidency, the U.S. withdrew from several international organizations and agreements including World Health Organization.
President Trump’s new tariffs announced on April 2, 2025 mark a significant shift in U.S. trade policy. They include 10% tariff on all foreign imports into the United States which means that potentially affected are over 100 countries worldwide that export goods to the U.S. The implementation of these tariffs can have significant consequences. Global stock markets experienced sharp declines following the announcement, reflecting investor concerns about escalating trade tensions. Affected countries have expressed strong opposition. The European Union, for instance, has indicated possible counter-tariffs on U.S. goods. Economists warn that these tariffs will lead to increased consumer prices, disrupted supply chains, and a slowdown in global economic growth. Specific sectors, such as agriculture and manufacturing, may be particularly affected due to their reliance on international trade.
During the elections, Mr. Trump boasted that he would finish the war between Russia and Ukraine in one day only. Now as his promises failed, he starts accusing the victim side, but not the aggressor of unwillingness to cease fire and stop the war. At a recent Oval Office meeting, U.S. President Donald Trump made a remark about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s dress code. Zelenskyy has been wearing a military-style outfit during public appearances since the beginning of the war in 2022, symbolizing solidarity with Ukrainian forces. The dispute during the meeting emphasized different perspectives on diplomatic dress codes and underscored the complexities of international relations during times of conflict. The case has been a subject of discussion in the media for a long time.
Diplomats worldwide have expressed a range of concerns regarding President Donald Trump’s approach to foreign policy and diplomacy worrying about the unpredictability of his administration’s actions, leading to strained relations and uncertainty among global partners. Donald Trump’s interest in acquiring Greenland is a controversial topic, affecting United States-Denmark relations. Trump’s persistent interest in Greenland has inspired various proposals, including a satirical petition for Denmark to purchase California.
In my opinion, there is a mismatch between Trump’s slogans, such as “Make America Great and Glorious Again”, “I Am Your Voice” and his deeds. Moreover, I am personally outraged by his attitude towards women. He uses sexist and crude language, mocking their appearance or intelligence. Trump has been accused by multiple women of sexual harassment and assault, which is disqualifying for a leader. During the 2024 presidential campaign, Trump referred to Vice President Kamala Harris as “mentally impaired” and questioned her racial identity.
Can his behaviour be linked to narcissistic personality disorder?
In October 2024, more than 200 mental health experts released an open letter warning about Trump’s “malignant narcissism”, arguing that his personality traits made him unsuitable for leadership.
Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) is a mental health condition characterized by a prevalent pattern of self-importance, a constant need for admiration, and a lack of empathy. Such individuals may exaggerate their achievements and talents, expecting to be recognized as superior and unique. They take advantage of others to achieve their own goals. They express arrogant behaviours and attitudes. Their emotions can shift fast and dramatically and such people react with anger when they are criticized. They make unpredictable decisions.
Though Donald Trump indeed displays narcissistic traits, there remains debate among professionals regarding the appropriateness and accuracy of diagnosing him with narcissistic personality disorder without a comprehensive formal evaluation.
You have to hand it to Trump – he is a successful businessman, an eloquent speaker, and a media personality, however, there is an opinion supported by some research that positive perception of people with higher levels of narcissism does not last, and over time, their followers tend to view them more negatively.
I recollect another statement by a world-famous writer O. Wilde: “Between the famous and the infamous there is but one step”. This remark highlights the thin line between fame and notoriety.
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Dr. Iryna Soroka is an Associate Professor at Jindal Institute of Behavioural Sciences (JIBS) at O.P. Jindal Global University
