Former CIA profiler Jerrold Post on Donald Trump's "dangerous charisma"

[jaysunb]

It is obvious even to the untrained eye that Donald Trump is mentally, emotionally and psychologically unwell. Trump has shown himself to be detached from empirical reality, vengeful, a compulsive liar and a probable sexual predator. He lacks empathy, care or concern for others, and possesses utter contempt for the rule of law, the Constitution and other restrictions on his behavior. In total — as leading mental health professionals have repeatedly warned — Trump’s behavior appears to be sociopathic.

For those and many other reasons, Trump merits impeachment and removal from office. But this state of emergency is also an opportunity for hostile foreign countries (especially Russia, led by Vladimir Putin, a former KGB officer) — as well as America’s “friends” — to advance their own interests over those of the United States by manipulating a psychologically vulnerable president.






https://www.salon.com/2019/12/02/former-cia-profiler-jerrold-post-on-donald-trumps-dangerous-charisma/?fbclid=IwAR3gTBkTdSX43S1N6ctLtp0k8CvVXtS_vYYyztaAv_BkVz5ELPcLO7TWIEY

[wnylib]

1. What charisma?? To me he's just repulsive.

[Hortensis]

12. Oh, it's real AND a trait to look for among suspected sociopaths.

Not all sociopaths are in the least charming, much less all charismatic, of course, but they are notably charismatic in higher percentages than normal people.

Trump has been exhibiting that trait, along with the others mentioned, for decades.

Something like 1 in 5 are sociopathic, and most of us have known a number of them over our lives. The leader of a playground group who always target socially vulnerable victims. How about a popular office leader whose spiteful sabotage of some unfortunate is embraced by some as part of the enjoyment of being around and accepted into the circle of that fun person. SO common as to be "normal."

[wnylib]

16. I don't doubt that he's a sociopath. As you said, '

there are msny of them around and I have known a few. I also know that there are people who find him charismatic. I used to work with a woman who swooned at the sound of his name, but she was peculiar in other ways, too.

I'm just saying that I feel nothing toward him but revulsion and loathing.'

[Hortensis]

18. Sure. We most of us do. Not sure his charisma has no effect

on our negative reactions also, though certainly his actions would seem to be a complete explanation in themselves.

[NewJeffCT]

13. Yet 30-40% of the population

will stick with him even if he shoots somebody on 5th Avenue - that's definitely a certain kind of charisma

[wnylib]

17. Yes, I suppose it is. But I can't fathom what the

attraction is. He's ugly, utterly self-centered, sadistic, phony, dishonest, etc, etc. The grinch song seems made for him.

But I have noticed that he sometimes uses a voice tone that could be hypnotic to.some people. It comes across to me as shallow and phony, but apparently not to his cult followers.

[NJCher]

21. He also has a Marlon Brando godfather voice

Have you noticed it?

When he’s talking about Article 2 and how it lets him do anything he wants.

[wnylib]

22. That Marlon Brando voice, along with the

things he says and his criminal ties and history, is why I also call him Don the don.

[stage left]

2. FDR had charisma

JFK had charisma
Bill Clinton had charisma
Barack Obama has charisma
Donald Trump? He has something, but it sure as hell isn't charisma.

[DeminPennswoods]

3. Not so sure about that

It's a the charisma of a sociopath, but still charisma.

[wnylib]

19. You might be right. After all, there were people

who found Charles Manson charismatic.

[murielm99]

6. Not many people have the type of charisma

of those you listed. It knocks one back, gives a jolt of happiness and energy. It is hard to describe. I have met two of the three.

He was never a President, but I think Jesse Jackson has it, too. I have met him and shaken his hand.

[LiberalLovinLug]

7. All cult leaders have charisma

[NewJeffCT]

14. Just because we find Trump repulsive

doesn't mean a certain segment of the populace doesn't love Trump and find him charismatic

[stage left]

23. OK

Trump has bad charisma, like Jim Jones who certainly got people to die for him.

[Doc_Technical]

4. Cult of Personality

[SammyWinstonJack]

5. He's an ego driven maniac enabled by the KGOP, his Deplorables and corporate media.

Charisma?

[dameatball]

8. The issue is more that we do not see "charisma" as Trump supporters do. For instance, I have seen

posts in the past that did not think Adam Schiff had charisma. At this point I think most of us would agree that he has plenty. But...that does not mean that Trump supporters see it the same way. No need for me to comment further as this stuff has been addressed over and over, but that is the real issue...we are just different.

[wnylib]

20. Yes we are different, thank God.

[Farmer-Rick]

9. Idiots do not have charisma

They have idiocy and it attracts other idiots and malivant dictators. Shorty Putin put him in charge because idiots are easy to control. If not for Shorty Putin, Traitor Trump would be just another broke idiot.

[The Animator]

10. Charisma is neither a good, nor bad quality, it's how it is used.

Donald Trump does have a lot of charisma.
So did Hitler.


But their charisma doesn’t resonate with us for a variety of reasons.
1) We are, generally, better educated than the majority of his base.

2) his bullshit runs counter to our core values

3) Our BS detectors are fully functional

4) We are so used to our opposition negotiating in bad faith that we suspicious of his bullshit from day 1

[mopinko]

11. i really, really, really want 1 count that his is mentally unfit. i really do.

if we miss this angle of the situation, we really miss something incredibly important that just must be overturned. of all the things people ignore, his outright insanity, played out every day, disturbs me the most deeply.

i want that big physical among the counts. it was expressly supposed to allay fears about his mental fitness.
this is a thing they do in the military. this isnt 'hey doc, can you help us talk dad into giving up the car keys.' this is- a prescribed set of exams to determine mental fitness for command in war.

i want the world to know that he corrupted a navy officer, got him to lie from the white house podium, then tried to reward him w a plum job.
i want the medical records made public.
i want dr ronnie feelgood brought up on charges, and i want him to die in the brig.

maybe this seems small in the grand scheme of things, but imho, it should be front and center. not just because of how bad this actually was, but because it is just one more in a long string of corrupt acts that all follow the SAME.FUCKING.THUG.PLAYBOOK.

[Dark n Stormy Knight]

15. It all depends on the meaning of "charisma" one subscribes to.

I've read definitions or descriptions of charisma which seem exclude Trump, but most don't.

Some, for instance, suggest "charm" is involved. It's hard for me to imagine anyone finding Trump "charming," as the NYT's Maggie Haberman has called him. I don't care what smarmy, schmoozy behavior he might exhibit. Knowing what I know about him, I'd never be "charmed." But many are.

Here's merriam-webster.com with a definition that certianly applies to Trump:

1: a personal magic of leadership arousing special popular loyalty or enthusiasm for a public figure (such as a political leader)
His success was largely due to his charisma.
2: a special magnetic charm or appeal
the charisma of a popular actor

Others unequivocally exclude Trump:

A charismatic person can not only appear confident in communication, but they can also help others feel confidence too, thus aiding and enhancing the communication process. Charismatic people are confident in a positive way, without being boastful or egotistical.

(My emphasis.)
https://www.skillsyouneed.com/ips/charisma.html