Some thoughts about the cognitive test that Trump "aced"...
My mother was a malignant narcissist. Not sadistic like Trump, but I can predict Trump's behavior by reflecting on my mother's behavior. His body language, his constant need to blame others, only listening to thing that reinforce his world view are all too familiar to me.
Anyways, my grandmother had Alzheimer's and my mother was her caregiver until the end. She lived in fear of Alzheimer's. I moved in with her when she was exhibiting early signs of dementia... She would not or could not admit she was having problems. Her narcissism prevented that. I watched my Mom slip away slowly... She knew what was happening, but she was determined to not let anyone know, because of the crippling insecurity narcissists suffer. I remember almost crying in a grocery store when she quietly picked up one of those puzzle books in the checkout ailse... She was clandestine about it, because she didn't want me to see. I remember her rage if I brought her car/house keys that she'd left in the door... It was a rough time.
She had a neurologist and had several appointments... She never let me accompany her, despite the fact she got lost several times on her way to the appointments. She would call me, and I'd redirect her to the proper route home. After each of these appointments, she would return home and make fantastical claims about getting through a basic neuro test like Trump claims he "aced"... She would say things, like the neurologist had never seen such great results for someone her age. Of course, I knew she was lying, and the tests must have been challenging for her. Her biggest fear was not being perfect and being "discovered". She went to great lengths to hide her symptoms... She was a partner in two daycare centers, and her partner was complaining to me about her slipping performance. My Mom eventually "dropped the mic" and quit just before a confrontational meeting with her partner. She did this to protect her ego.
Why am I writing this... Because Donald Trump claimed he "aced" a basic neurological test. We'll never know if he did (they are simple) or did not... I suspect he did, and that reinforced his reality that everything is okay, when he knows deep down it is not. He could not bear the shame of an imperfect test. Also, it wouldn't surprise me at all if he dropped out of the race, claim he was the best president in histor... rather the suffer the shame of a landslide defeat.
Thanks for reading.
= new reply since forum marked as read
Thank you for this painful story. I believe many who work in memory care units or otherwise with patients with dementia are very familiar with this combination of personality and cognitive deficits. In fact, new staff sometimes receive training in "difficult, "hard to manage" patients.
Your description is much appreciated. I wish folks who deal with Trump every day would acknowledge and take action on his slippage.
(polite version)
