There is a reason Bob Woodward is one of the most highly respected journalists covering American politics and his latest book, “FEAR,” is proof why: “FEAR” is a thoroughly researched, fact-based work that pulls back the curtain on the disorganized chaos caused by current president Donald Trump.
The book pre-ordered a million copies–a prodigious number in the world of book publishing–and methodically reveals the haphazard approach the president has taken during his first two years in office.
Having read it, five key behavioral tendencies jumped out to me:
- Trump is hopelessly digitally addicted. He watches television a minimum of six hours a day and relies on his phone to fill the rest of the day. As is common with nearly all digital addicts, he reads virtually nothing substantive that requires contemplative thought or is designed to provide insight learning.
- His attention span is nearly non-existent. I would equate it to a child, which is a rather alarming shortcoming for someone who needs to make thoughtful, fact-based decisions. He refuses briefings, dismisses facts, and consistently overlays his wants atop logic, law, process, and the common good. For example, his lone first-year legislative achievement–tax reform–adds $1.5 trillion over the next ten years while providing tax breaks to the ultra-wealthy. Insisting this was important, he dismissed outright the fact-driven advice of all of his subject matter experts and ran off the most passionate.
- As has been well chronicled by others, the president’s narcissistic personality disorder is magnified by his inability to successfully juggle what I call “his three heads.” We all go through life trying to balance the image we want to project; how we are perceived by others; and who (deep down) we really are. Trump is overtly image-projection conscious, hyper-sensitive to the opinions of others; and has little self-awareness of his inner self.
- He is a chronic liar. Some is intentional, some inadvertent. In the behavioral sense, this results from digital addiction combined with the narcissist’s predictable inability to juggle his three heads successfully.
- The inability to admit he’s wrong. Trump has had a lifelong phobia about admitting mistakes, a most pitiable character flaw.
People who criticize or dismiss Woodward’s book haven’t read it. As the mid-term elections come up in a matter of weeks, it is up to every American to exercise his or her constitutional right to vote. If you have a chance to read the book beforehand, do yourself a favor and invest the time doing so. If you cannot, get on the borrower’s list at your local library and when your turn comes, make the time to read it.
People who stand for nothing fall for everything, and blind devotees have no one to blame but themselves. Gain as much fact-based insight as you can concerning the truth. You will be better off for doing so.
Ocean Palmer