God bless the World

In recent years, the world has come to know Donald Trump. It has been a one-way process: the steady confirmation of his boundless narcissism, supported by a circle of loyal aides who not only refuse to restrain his most authoritarian impulses but actively encourage and applaud them.

Day after day, Trump shows an uncontrollable personality and an almost childish fascination with power. He gives speeches and takes actions whose absurdity he seems unable to recognize. It is doubtful that he understands the silent contempt and mockery his behavior provokes, even among Republicans who, despite supporting him, have a political record that suggests they should think differently. Trump appears immune to ridicule, absorbed by the power he holds and the belief that his authority has no limits. His former chief of staff told Vanity Fair that Trump “thinks he can do whatever he wants” — a statement that says it all. 

Considering his recent behavior, some now wonder if the U.S. president is showing signs of mental decline. Many of his actions seem unstable, and some childish ones — like the caricature plaques about his predecessors displayed in the presidential gallery — suggest a loss of judgment and emotional control. 

If Trump were the leader of a small country, his power would face real limits. History is full of megalomaniac dictators who, no matter how authoritarian, eventually met external barriers to their ambitions. Trump, however, commands the power of the world’s largest military force — one he likes to promote and favor. This leads some to fear that he might try to use it to remain in power, claiming an internal “war” and imposing an exceptional regime. 

With Trump, anything seems possible. What does not appear likely, however, is any institutional move to require a medical evaluation of his sanity. Even as the signs of disturbance grow — and as his actions may put global stability at risk — there seems to be no one inside the American system willing or able to stop this drift. 

Americans often say, “God bless America.” I have no faith, but I fear instead what Trump’s America might do to the world.