Trump's Crackup Looms, Warns Expert
As President Trump returns to Washington after a tumultuous week, experts warn of an impending "crackup" that could have far-reaching consequences for the country. Brooks suggests that Trump's mental state is deteriorating rapidly, fueled by his own narcissism and desire for power.
The unraveling of Trump's mind has been quietly unfolding over the past year. His increasing reliance on violence to resolve conflicts and perceived slights has escalated tensions both domestically and internationally. The arc of tyranny indeed bends toward degradation, as the lust for power gradually reduces restraint, increases entitlement, and amplifies risk-taking.
Historians such as Tacitus and Sallust have documented the effects of tyranny on individuals and society. Narcissists often become more pronounced with age, leading to a lack of empathy and grandiosity. The insatiable lust for domination banishes social virtues and creates a culture of selfishness.
As Trump's mental state deteriorates, citizens may eventually lose their democratic values, such as the art of persuasion and compromise, interpersonal trust, and the spirit of freedom. The relentless flow of brutal events can become normalized, leading to anesthetization and complacency.
While Brooks does not predict a Rome-style collapse, he acknowledges that the dangers posed by Trump's erratic behavior cannot be overstated. America is indeed entering a perilous world, one that will test its institutions and values like never before.
Ultimately, it remains to be seen how events unfold. One thing, however, is clear: history records few cases of power-mad leaders suddenly regaining their senses and becoming more moderate. As Brooks so astutely puts it, the lust for power is a primal human impulse that cannot be easily restrained.
As President Trump returns to Washington after a tumultuous week, experts warn of an impending "crackup" that could have far-reaching consequences for the country. Brooks suggests that Trump's mental state is deteriorating rapidly, fueled by his own narcissism and desire for power.
The unraveling of Trump's mind has been quietly unfolding over the past year. His increasing reliance on violence to resolve conflicts and perceived slights has escalated tensions both domestically and internationally. The arc of tyranny indeed bends toward degradation, as the lust for power gradually reduces restraint, increases entitlement, and amplifies risk-taking.
Historians such as Tacitus and Sallust have documented the effects of tyranny on individuals and society. Narcissists often become more pronounced with age, leading to a lack of empathy and grandiosity. The insatiable lust for domination banishes social virtues and creates a culture of selfishness.
As Trump's mental state deteriorates, citizens may eventually lose their democratic values, such as the art of persuasion and compromise, interpersonal trust, and the spirit of freedom. The relentless flow of brutal events can become normalized, leading to anesthetization and complacency.
While Brooks does not predict a Rome-style collapse, he acknowledges that the dangers posed by Trump's erratic behavior cannot be overstated. America is indeed entering a perilous world, one that will test its institutions and values like never before.
Ultimately, it remains to be seen how events unfold. One thing, however, is clear: history records few cases of power-mad leaders suddenly regaining their senses and becoming more moderate. As Brooks so astutely puts it, the lust for power is a primal human impulse that cannot be easily restrained.