Seriously, what motivates people like Bannon and Trump?

[rumdude]

It seems to be more than just power. They carry around serious anger, deep resentments. Nor is it rooted in ideology - it's something else. There's a genuine ugliness about them. You can see it in their faces. You can see it in the way they move. You can see it in their denial of reality.

So, what is their motivation. You can say "hate." But why? What is the root cause of it?

It's like a political movement fueled by mental illness.

I'd like to see some studies done on this phenomenon.

Any one have any thoughts, ideas?

[Warren DeMontague]

1. Trump, I think, could be diagnosed by a coin-operated carnival psychiatrist machine

it's not really that complicated. Huge ego, obvious narcissism.. compensating for whatever sort of fucked-up childhood he had, I don't know if it was John Oliver who said something about getting a gold-plated Sandbox to play in instead of any actual human affection and warmth.

But either way, he's got something to prove, something that has to do with how singularly awesome he is, and the fact that there's this exclusive club of 44 Americans that he hasn't been allowed to join, drives him bonkers.

I used to think that he was just using all the negativity and racism and the like because it was the quickest and easiest way to hoodwink the GOP base into nominating him, but I think he really believes all that shit, and the racism and misogyny and disdain for others is all part of his superiority complex.

[Skittles]

4. EXCELLENT ANALYSIS

YES INDEED

[Warren DeMontague]

7. I'm pretty transparent, psychologically, too. I'm just trying to avoid ass-kickings

Or perhaps I secretly SEEK THEM OUT

[Skittles]

9. WARREN IS ONE OF MY PAYING CUSTOMERS, EVERYONE

NOTHING SECRET ABOUT IT

[Warren DeMontague]

10. Nothin' but the best

YES INDEED

[ProudProgressiveNow]

11. +1 nt

[JNelson6563]

3. Ok, it starts in the beginning.

Narcissism is our nature at birth for survival. As we become aware of our surroundings we begin to outgrow it. How much of it gets shed (if any) is determined by how healthy of an environment we are in at that critical time of development.

Trump obviously comes from an extraordinarily unhealthy childhood environment as his narcissism is on a scale nearly unmatched.

So ok, as a child in a situation where you must always *look* flawless/blameless to get along how would that effect you? It would make a child fearful, angry, hateful...all bad things. In subsequent portions of life, if conditions are right, the narcissism intensifies. The hatred for enemies, real or perceived, is very intense. It is matched only by the willingness to use others to achieve their ends.

Throughout life they tend to leave a wake of chaos and confusion that, I think, mirrors those formative years.

Julie

[TygrBright]

5. Pathetically inadequate egos that need constant inflation. n/t

[MFM008]

6. hate and fear

Mostly hatred of themselves and spreads out in circles.

[malaise]

8. Profit

Always follow the money