Stop saying Donald Trump is mentally ill when what you mean is that he's a bad person

[Sancho]

79. People suspected Reagan had dementia while he was in office...

but the public was never allowed to see a diagnosis. Likely, many Presidents have hidden medical problems.

In this case, there may be a diagnosis in Trump's records, but no one has really seen a health history; just like his tax returns.

To lots of professionals he shows characteristics of personality disorder, but also characteristics of some kind of reading or processing disorder like a learning disability. He has strange and ritualistic gestures, repeats phrases, uses very unusual syntax, and doesn't read out loud.

With his money and protected life style, he seems to have depended on family and staff to compensate for obvious issues. Most concerning are the delusions where he seems to believe misinformation or repeats fabrications. It's hard to conclude that he is only a showman (to me), because he sometimes repeats information that would have no rational use for supporters or his goals except that he simply believes (at that moment) something that is simply incorrect. He has learned to use lies to gain advantage. He probably is a serial sexual predator who has gotten away with it because of his status. That's not really so unusual.

I actually think he probably has average ability (intelligence) or slightly above average, but likely has some diagnosable deficits. It's hard to say without testing. He is certainly not intelligent like Bill Clinton; because he doesn't seem to make intellectual connections or use vocabulary typical of high ability. He takes on emotional, adversarial connections to shock or take advantage, but not really new insights.

He also seems to have bits of paranoia, egocentricism, and meanness that may be narcissism, but seem more deeply rooted. He may have underlying physical problems that are not public related to his age, weight, etc.

His coping mechanisms seem to be coming out - he runs away from Washington to places he is comfortable, creates a false crowd to get support, and demands loyalty. He is clearly indifferent (lacks empathy) even for family. I'm guessing it will be harder and harder for Trump to keep up the job with his current strategy; and equally hard for the family and close handlers to maintain their support. Sooner or later he may have a public tantrum or some internal crisis will cause Trump to disappear or something really bizarre will surface.

We'll see what happens, but I'm hoping he won't make it 4 years. Likely the GOP leadership is hoping too.