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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsWhy Trump is looking for revenge and retribution?
First of all, I am not a psychologist. But I have witnessed Trump's brain in action for the last 10 years, so I feel I am qualified to speak on the matter.
He is not really seeking revenge or retribution. He is looking to keep his legacy from being permanently destroyed by his actions of January 6th, 2021. He is seeking justification and innocence from factual history.
He says he would like to see those on the January 6th Committee sent to jail. He is attempting to reinforce his lie that he was not guilty of anything on January 6th. He wants the majority of Americans to agree with him.
Because if he can pardon all the perpetrators of violence and insurrection on that day, then he is in effect, pardoning himself. Nobody did anything wrong. They were victims of a weaponized justice department and he also, was a victim.
But the truth is that any legacy that he may have dreamed about has been destroyed forever. His acts can never be forgiven. His treason is etched in stone.
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OLDMDDEM
(2,354 posts)
Ocelot II
(123,647 posts)he's a malignant narcissist, and narcissists are empty people. They are black holes of need. Trump needs to believe that he isn't the worst of all things - a loser. The only way he can prove to himself that he isn't a loser is by crushing anyone who ever opposed him. Life is a zero-sum game to him and he has to win at all costs or he'll be swallowed up by that insatiable need to not be a loser.
Baitball Blogger
(49,522 posts)I think he's going to paint himself into a corner. He won't be able to stop himself once he has all that power pushing him forward. Maybe a better metaphor would be that of a snowball going down hill.
And what will further energize him will come each time some organization buckles under his pressure. Like ABC.
kentuck
(113,329 posts)....he is a malignant narcissist.
But his primary concern is about himself and his desired legacy, in my opinion. That is why he is making such threats.
wnylib
(25,190 posts)A normal person as president would think of legacy in terms of real accomplishments in service to the country.
Trump thinks of legacy as a self-created image of greatness. He is so obsessed with forcing others to accept his own version of reality that he would try to erase or alter facts from the historical record.
But he can never do that. Other nations and their media have accurate records of what he has done and of US politics. Other nations have recorded the information about his impeachments, insurrection, the crimes of the J6 attackers, his attempt to bribe Zelenskyy in a phone call, etc.
Trump wants absolute control of the world and to make all objective reality into his own subjective version of it. An impossibility but he will never admit to that.
For many generations after he dies the world will know what he really is.
LastLiberal in PalmSprings
(13,124 posts)"If you don't do what I tell you to do, you won't get your weapons," is the statement of an extortionist.
wnylib
(25,190 posts)Last edited Tue Dec 17, 2024, 06:10 PM - Edit history (1)
that he would withhold needed money and arms for Ukraine.
I saw it as bribery, offering the money and arms in return for Zelenskyy helping Trump to smear Biden with an investigation. But the money and arms had already been allocated for Ukraine by Congress. Trump was making those things conditional on Zelenskyy's cooperation in a smear campaign.
kentuck
(113,329 posts)With most everything you have stated.
Marthe48
(20,267 posts)In the dream, he was walking alone toward a public building, carrying a folder. He broke into a run, took 3 paces and fell to the ground. I ran from where I was, calling his name, and put my head in the door of the building, yelling for someone to call 911, but nobody paid attention. When I stepped away from the door, 3 ss men were by traitor, one kneeling by his body, 2 others looking down. I offered aid, saying I'd had emt training, but they wouldn't let me close.
I had the dream Sunday night and since it was so vivid, added it to my dream log. I interpreted some of the symbolism to be that he will cause his own downfall.
I'm listening to a mystery set in England post WWII. Lots of reference to what the nazis did to all of the countries in Europe and how the soviets were interfering with free countries since the war. Lots or regret for things lost, lots of anger that the soviets were doing the same. Why recent history has to repeat, I don't know.
wnylib
(25,190 posts)He seeks revenge because that's what malignant narcissists do.
He's done that all his life, long before running for president.
YodaMom2
(72 posts)that if someone “hits” him, then he hits back 10x harder. To Trump, a “hit” is anything that injures his fragile ego, even if it’s 100% true/warranted. And those who have known him well have said that he NEVER stops “punishing” the offender. He will go out of his way, for *years*, to inflict legal, financial, emotional, and reputation damage on the source of his ego injury.
Because he’s that shockingly fragile, insecure, and fearful. But in the fantasy he’s constructed for and about himself, he believes this relentless, cruel vengefulness makes him a tough guy. A winner.
This is a deeply damaged human being.
barbtries
(30,247 posts)he definitely does seek retribution; it's what he lives for now that he doesn't have a rally to go to.
Attilatheblond
(5,463 posts)
Festivito
(13,671 posts)Like retribution, a thing decent people do not like. Hey! Look! News!
no_hypocrisy
(50,669 posts)he was/is/will be good enough. It comes from growing up in Queens.
PoindexterOglethorpe
(27,480 posts)He is just that way. Everything is about him, only him, totally him. Which is why his first term was terrible, and why his second could destroy the country.
albacore
(2,677 posts)Not blaming Obama, of course, but I know that a sociopath like him can't take a fucking joke.
He wants revenge for that slight.
Not the whole story, but certainly a factor.
Ocelot II
(123,647 posts)He got his start when he was 5 or 6 by throwing rocks at a neighbor's baby in a playpen. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/book-reveals-even-as-a-child-donald-trump-was-a-horror/CSICR54HWLGDBI7MZA2P72ATAU/ His sociopath father taught him that the worst thing you could be was a loser. By the time he was out of college, working for his nasty old man and being tutored in the ways of assholery and revenge by Roy Cohn, he was well on his way to becoming what he is now.
Walleye
(38,833 posts)His excuse was that the teacher knew nothing about music. I have never seen anybody more clueless when it comes to music then Donald Trump.
albacore
(2,677 posts)Dave Bowman
(4,793 posts)
boonecreek
(736 posts)It's like he lives for revenge.
70sEraVet
(4,394 posts)I was just about to go searching for that Richard Branson story, myself.
boonecreek
(736 posts)I'm just glad I finally figured out how to post a link.
louis-t
(24,038 posts)Often when talking to a magat.
Noel Kums
(90 posts)One thing about Republicans - they can NEVER let anything go.
Firestorm49
(4,325 posts)
Blue Owl
(55,629 posts)And will someday be the poster child warning others not to let someone fail upwards
Walleye
(38,833 posts)But what I’m realizing now is that his fans, or supporters elected him for revenge against us, their fellow Americans.
Aviation Pro
(14,076 posts)Will be the burning ashes of another 9/11-like terrorist attack only this time there won't be any nations running to the aid of the U.S. and there sure as shit won't be any coalition or sharing of intelligence.
Historic NY
(38,623 posts)
NotHardly
(1,926 posts)
BoRaGard
(4,480 posts)But he's also a mean, vindictive person. He wants vengeance, in strict contradiction of the Biblical teaching that vengeance belongs to God alone.
So there's that colossal anti-Biblical crap in the republicon mix.
Beringia
(4,952 posts)1. They’re Easily Offended
2. They Hold Grudges & Harbor Resentment
3. They Are Usually Angry or Upset With Someone
4. They Blame Everything on Someone Else
5. They Don’t Know How to Work Through Conflict
6. They Have a ‘Get Even’ Mentality
7. They Weaponize Information
8. They Belittle Others to Feel Bigger
9. They Have a Mean & Sadistic Side
10. They Use, Abuse & Then Discard People
https://www.choosingtherapy.com/vindictive-narcissist/
Oneear
(431 posts)This will be 4 Long Years, and Keep in Mind He is a Lame Duck
Initech
(104,195 posts)While hiding in his social media hidey-hole. 
Wild blueberry
(7,488 posts)About his mentorship by Roy Cohn and how he learned to be the mob boss he is. It was only at our local movie theater for a week, but has much more recognition in the rest of the world. Shows the damage from his cruel father, too. Compelling psychological tale. He really is a rotten, cruel narcissist.
Spoiler alert: you'll need a shower when you get home. Nonetheless, it's a brilliant movie.
kimbutgar
(24,541 posts)I thought I would watch it after he lost and unfortunately and horribly he didn’t!
ultralite001
(1,446 posts)So the only evidence of revenge + retribution is revealed by the ripples their actions leave behind...
In the words of a song:
Ain't no sunshine 'til he's gone...
Bo Zarts
(25,930 posts)Trump seeks to revise history, and he already has a damn good start.
Sogo
(6,080 posts)He wants to prosecute the military leaders who conducted the operation that resulted in American deaths, and which he called the worst military failure in American history, only because the withdrawal was set up by him in an agreement in his first administration, and Biden and those military leaders had no choice in the matter but to follow the agreement. Trump wants to erase from history his responsibility for what he calls a disaster.
LPBBEAR
(501 posts)Last edited Tue Dec 17, 2024, 08:26 PM - Edit history (1)
and have hit upon what makes Trump so evil and dangerous. I too have followed him for over ten years and have noticed the same character flaws. I wrote the following not too long back just before the election. I can't remember if I posted it here. I did post it elsewhere.
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The last few days I have had the feeling that somehow we're connected in time and spirit to those German citizens who, while going through their normal daily routine, had in the back of their minds that feeling of apprehension and doom knowing that Adolph Hitler might soon be ruling their country.
Hitler was a madman who had no empathy for the millions of Germans and other people he slaughtered in his insane attempt to create the Third Reich.
Donald Trump is also a madman cut from the same cloth as Hitler.
Trump has already caused the deaths of thousands of Americans during the Covid pandemic due to his total incompetent handling of that crisis. He feels nothing for those who died as a result of his mishandling of that crisis.
Donald Trump is a narcissistic sociopath. I believe he was probably badly abused in childhood. These are the traits of a narcissistic sociopath. They fit Trump perfectly.
A narcissistic sociopath may have the following traits:
1. Lack of empathy: They have little to no ability to understand or relate to the feelings of others.
2. Power-hungry: They enjoy being in positions of power and controlling others.
3. Manipulative: They may use tactics like triangulation to exploit others and get what they want.
4. Abusive: They may be hostile and aggressive when their sense of self-importance is threatened.
5. Attention-seeking: They constantly seek love, adoration, and attention from others.
6. Exaggerated sense of self-importance: They have an inflated sense of self-importance and believe they are superior to others.
7. Sense of entitlement: They believe they are entitled to special treatment and have a strong sense of entitlement.
8. Preoccupation with envy: They may feel envious of others while also believing others are envious of them.
9. Arrogant: They may be arrogant and disdainful of others.
10. Lack of ethics and morals: They may lie, steal, or cheat to get what they want. They may also assume that rules don't apply to them, even if they expect others to follow them.
Hitler was also a narcissistic sociopath. People like this can without any second thought send millions to their deaths. This is Trump.
Trumps lies like the rest of us breathe. Once Trump utters a lie he will NEVER take it back. He never once has admitted he was wrong. Given some of the whoppers he has said you would think that at least once in a while he would say "Oops, wow that was wrong. Sorry bout that." Hasn't happened.
He'll go to his grave still claiming ridiculous bullshit like "Inject bleach to cure Covid" or I won the 2020 election".
You might think his lies are meant just for the benefit of those around him and that is partly right. See number 5 in the list above.
Additionally those lies are meant for himself as well. In reality he is an insecure man child still suffering from the childhood abuse he went through. He lies to himself as much as he lies to those around him for the same reason.
That reason? To make himself feel worthy, To make himself feel special. He can't admit he is lying because to do so is to admit how truly messed up he really is.
A person like this shouldn't be given the power of the Presidency. Power in the hands of a narcissistic sociopath such as Donald Trump is a disaster in the making just as it was when that kind of power was given to Hitler.
I know this country's elections aren't perfect and some times we end up voting between mediocre and horrible. This election is way beyond mediocre and horrible. Donald Trump is a madman.
He has already proven himself to be completely incompetent in the first go-around. His mental stability is clearly getting worse and its likely he is suffering from the same kind of dementia his Father Fred Trump died from.
He belongs in a maximum security mental ward where society is protected from his virulence.
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We're seeing the above in the real world now. For example the ABC settlement and his suit against a Iowa newspaper and pollster. In each case the victims of Trumps abuse of power told the truth but that truth went against Trumps view of himself. He'll go to any length and any abuse of power to protect his inner man child. This makes him EXTREMELY dangerous especially since he now has been given the power of the Presidency. Expect more and much much worse.
kentuck
(113,329 posts)And he uses revenge and retribution for other reasons in his very sick mind. He manipulates the truth as his own personal defense. For example, he is not going to pardon the insurrectionists solely for revenge or retribution, but as proof that they were innocent, and he, as an extension of their victimhood, is also innocent.
In his world, he lies to make the story fit his own reality. So, you are right on target with that point.
He thinks he is the smartest person in the world.
He is a very dangerous person and we are living in a very dangerous time, in my opinion.
kerry-is-my-prez
(9,681 posts)They know him better than anyone. When you work with someone as long as Cohen and you have an ability to analyze things -I tend believe those two.
kerry-is-my-prez
(9,681 posts)And almost totally figured out after several months. Although most of them were not huge narcissists or sociopaths.
Ruby the Liberal
(26,381 posts)This all started in 2011 when Obama roasted his ass at the WHCD and he's never gotten over it.