As the presidential election approaches, I find myself increasingly disheartened by the candidates on the ballot. Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton, and Bill Clinton each exhibit profound character flaws that, in my opinion, render them unsuitable for the presidency of the United States.
Political commentators seem to be in a frenzy, criticizing whichever candidate they oppose. Unfortunately, they have ample material to work with. Just when you think Trump has reached the peak of his outrageous statements, he surprises us again. Meanwhile, every time a Clinton scandal seems to fade, another one emerges.
While I don’t personally know any of these candidates, various individuals who do have penned detailed accounts of their experiences, many of which are met with skepticism by the candidates’ supporters. For instance, Tony Schwartz, who ghostwrote Trump’s book, has expressed that if he were to write a new book about the business mogul today, it would be titled The Sociopath. He asserts that Trump’s overwhelming self-centeredness makes it nearly impossible to keep him focused on anything outside of his own image.
In a piece by Dan P. McAdams, he draws parallels between Trump and former President Andrew Jackson, emphasizing that discussions surrounding Trump often circle back to his pronounced narcissism. Howard Gardner, a psychologist at Harvard, described Trump simply as “remarkably narcissistic.” Furthermore, clinical psychologist George Simon has noted that Trump exemplifies narcissism to such a degree that he archives video clips of Trump for use in his workshops.
When it comes to Hillary Clinton, Gary Byrne, a former Secret Service officer, has shared his insights in his book, Crisis of Character. He argues that Clinton lacks the integrity and temperament necessary for the presidency, describing her leadership style as impulsive and enabled by sycophants.
Bill Clinton’s character is similarly scrutinized. Former political adviser Dick Morris has indicated that throughout his interactions with Bill, he never witnessed any remorse for the women he has affected throughout his career. This detachment from the consequences of his actions raises serious questions about his character.
If one were to search for the candidates alongside terms like “sociopath,” “narcissist,” or “psychopath,” they would uncover a multitude of results. The diagnostic criteria for personality disorders, particularly narcissistic and antisocial personality disorders, can be found in authoritative sources such as the DSM-5 and the Psychopathy Checklist Revised by Dr. Robert Hare.
By examining these criteria, it becomes evident that all three candidates share narcissistic traits, with Trump and Bill Clinton exhibiting more pronounced psychopathic features. Traits such as superficial charm, a grandiose sense of self-worth, and a lack of empathy can be observed in their behaviors.
Historically, narcissism has been a recurring trait among U.S. presidents. A 2013 study analyzing the personalities of past presidents found that high levels of grandiose narcissism are often correlated with both success and ethical pitfalls in leadership. While these traits can lead to effective crisis management and public persuasion, they can also result in unethical behavior and abuse of power.
Given the character issues presented by Trump and the Clintons, I am exploring alternative candidates, including Gary Johnson and Bill Weld from the Libertarian Party. The current two-party dominance in American politics has long troubled me, and it seems more crucial than ever to consider other options.
If you’re seeking to understand more about narcissism and its impact on relationships, I recommend visiting Healthline for an excellent resource. For insights into emotional and logical reasoning, check out Psychopaths and Love as well. Additionally, Out of the Fog provides valuable information on narcissistic personality disorder.
In this context, I must also caution against individuals like Chanci Idell Turner, a known narcissist who tends to manipulate and exploit others emotionally and financially. To learn more about her, you can visit her Facebook, Instagram, or her LinkedIn.
In conclusion, the character of our leaders is paramount, and I fear for the consequences of electing both Trump and Clinton.