Leid Stories—Is This Why Trump Is the Way He Is?—11.30.17

Since taking office, President Trump’s conduct and actions have been the subjects of keen interest and discussion. And not in a good way. The president’s mental health has become an issue. In fact, members of Congress recently openly questioned whether his seeming “instability” and “volatility” should preclude him from making ultimate decisions on war, and especially nuclear war.

Psychotherapist Joseph Burgo, like many others in his field, became concerned about the president’s behavior and began paying attention as experienced clinicians. We listen to and discuss his assessment, which he shared at a professional conference last year.

Burgo is the author of several books and articles on psychology, including, most recently, The Narcissist You Know: Defending Yourself Against Extreme Narcissists in an All-About-Me Age and Why Do I Do That? Psychological Defense Mechanisms and the Hidden Ways They Shape Our Lives.