A mysterious affliction has found its way into the minds of the masses.
It’s called Trump Derangement Syndrome (TDS), and according to Urban Dictionary—a well-known medical authority—it turns otherwise rational citizens into quivering masses of emotional jelly.
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There are distinct stages of this mind-altering malady.
In the first stage, sufferers lose all sense of proportion. Every Truth post from the former (and possibly future) president is treated like a coded message from an alien civilization, sparking widespread panic.
It’s the mid-level stages where things get truly worrying.
Here, victims experience a linguistic metamorphosis, speaking exclusively in hyperbolic tones.
“Donald Trump is literally Hitler!” shouts someone from HR as they struggle to find an appropriate meme to capture their rage. As TDS advances, reality itself becomes a blurry concept. In extreme cases, patients mistake Babylon Bee headlines for CNN breaking news. Although, on closer inspection, that’s an easy mistake to make.
Nowhere is TDS more rampant than in Hollywood.
Take, for instance, the reactions of celebrities like Robert De Niro and Charlamagne tha God. Their statements on shows like HBO’s “Real Time with Bill Maher” reflect a deep-seated emotional response rather than a reasoned analysis of political realities.
De Niro, known for his iconic roles and, in more recent times, forays into political commentary, warned of dire consequences should Trump return to office.
“I don’t mean to scare you. No, wait, maybe I do mean to scare you,” said the 80-year-old star at a press conference tied to Trump’s New York City trial. “If Trump returns to the White House,” he added, “you can kiss these freedoms goodbye that we all take for granted.”
The freedoms in question? Freedom of speech, freedom of the press, etc.
Not finished there, the actor warned that Trump could “destroy the world.”
By letting his pathological obsession with Trump govern his thoughts and actions, De Niro destroyed his credibility. His declaration that freedoms and even humanity itself would vanish under Trump’s rule paints a dystopian picture that appeals more to fear than to factual assessment.
Plus, nothing of the kind happened during Trump’s first term.
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Similarly, prominent radio host Charlamagne tha God recently spoke with Bill Maher, where he expressed his concerns about Trump’s impact on democracy.
“I think Donald Trump is a threat to democracy. I think he led an attempted coup in this country. He wanted to, you know, terminate the Constitution to overthrow the results of an election,” stated the author and pseudo-pundit
He’s voting for Biden because, in his own words, “I’m voting to preserve democracy.”
To his credit, Charlamagne admits to having TDS.
What underpins TDS is not merely disagreement with Trump’s policies or leadership style but a visceral reaction that clouds logical reasoning. When De Niro or Charlamagne speak out against Trump, their arguments often rely on emotional appeals rather than factual analysis.
They paint Trump as an existential threat to democracy, framing the debate in stark moral terms where any compromise or middle ground is seen as capitulation. Moreover, they paint President Joe Biden as the panacea, the antidote to chaos.
Not only are TDS sufferers irrational, but they tend to be disingenuous.
Emotion-driven arguments can be powerful in rallying support and galvanizing public opinion, but they often lack the nuance and depth necessary for constructive dialogue. When a person is consumed by fear, anger and contempt, their ability to engage in reasoned debate diminishes.
Instead of presenting coherent arguments backed by evidence, they resort to hyperbole and alarmist rhetoric, which further alienates those who don’t share their emotional intensity.
Additionally, the polarization that TDS created makes meaningful discourse even more difficult.
Those affected by TDS often view their opponents not just as political adversaries but as existential threats to everything they hold dear. They view detractors as enemies, opponents who must be crushed.
This mindset fosters an “us versus them” mentality that shuts down dialogue and creates division rather than understanding.
The spread of TDS, which has also conquered the minds of the aforementioned Maher, Rob Reiner and Kathy Griffin, reflects a broader trend in contemporary politics, namely, a shift away from reasoned debate toward emotion-driven partisanship.
In the case of Trump, his provocative style and unconventional approach to governance elicited—and continue to elicit—strong reactions from critics. Those with TDS often view any defense of Trump or his policies as complicity in a perceived assault on democracy and decency.
This black-and-white view of politics leaves little room for shades of gray or nuanced discussions. And nuanced discussions, not lectures from elites, are exactly what the country needs now more than ever.
Sadly, for those tormented by thoughts of Trump, I have some bad news: Biden will likely be defeated a few months from now, and, to compound matters, no known cure for TDS exists.
John Mac Ghlionn is a researcher and essayist. He covers psychology and social relations and has a keen interest in social dysfunction and media manipulation. Follow him on Twitter @ghlionn.
The post De Niro, Charlamagne Perfectly Highlight Trump Derangement Syndrome appeared first on Hollywood in Toto.