I know tRump is an evil and narcissistic sociopath but can somebody explain to me

[Nay]

9. In my (non-professional) opinion, Trump is a malignant narcissist. His disordered mind

reels from one self-serving scenario to another, trying to find the scenario that is most pleasing to his mindset at that specific moment.

Killing millions of people by not responding to a pandemic? "Attractive -- such power! And they can't arrest me for it!"

Save the world with a cure? "Get a medal and be revered forever!" Hard to grab credit, esp since he's a science denier, but still a decent idea. May not be enough narcissistic kibbles in this, though.

Deny and refuse any and all serious study of the matter? "NOBODY'S GONNA TELL ME WHAT TO DO!" Plenty of power play in this reaction, too.

IOW, it's not necessarily always about looking good; it's often about what will make him feel powerful.

As several posters noted above, it doesn't help that he is an essentially stupid person. His stupidity, narcissism and family money have allowed him to be an agent of great destruction, and he's taking pleasure from that. He acted that way in business, too. He loved to sue, to bankrupt contractors, etc.