Shrinking Trump

Dr. John Gartner and Dr. Harry Siegel dive into the alarming patterns behind Donald Trump’s increasingly apocalyptic language and what it signals about both his cognitive state and fascist inclinations. And special guest Laurie Winer, author of the upcoming book, "The Hitler Tour,"  connects Trump’s apocalyptic behavior with the strategies employed by figures like Hitler. Make sure you join us here on Patreon to support our work and gain access to exclusive perks: patreon.com/ReallyAmericanMedia Our site: https://cms.megaphone.fm/channel/shrinking-trump  Subscribe on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shrinking-trump/id1745797271 Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4xuuqHxzruLEsQXtTuJjP4 Subscribe on Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/a101a15a-8b18-49c8-b556-c201aece30ee/shrinking-trump Subscribe on iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-shrinking-trump-175213669/ We’ll discuss the reliability and limitations of traditional voter polls, and highlight more predictive metrics such as voter registration trends. Our hosts also contrast the energetic support for Kamala Harris with the waning enthusiasm for Trump, and reflect on Joe Biden’s epic UN speech. We also hear Lori’s first hand-experience of her family's division over Trump, showcasing how there are stark contrasts in interpretation and allegiance even within tight-knit communities. She tells us just how Trump’s use this language, not as a symptom of dementia, but as a calculated effort to sow chaos and maintain control. By understanding these patterns, we can better prepare to counteract the dangers they pose. Dr.’s Gartner and Siegel analyze Trump's reliance on superlatives and bombastic declarations, demonstrating how this extreme language is more than just a sign of cognitive decline: it fits well within the rhetorical framework of a fascist leader. As Lori explains, this kind of language not only divides and incites but also prepares the populace for real, impactful violence.  We think you’ll really enjoy this session as we seek to better understand Trump’s patterns and prepare to counter the dangers they pose. Stay tuned for next week, as we have another very special episode planned for you!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today’s episode of Shrinking Trump, our hosts Dr. John Gartner and Dr. Harry Siegel take a hard look at the symptoms of Trump’s worsening cognitive and psychological decline. And we’re joined by Arlie Russell Hochschild, Professor Emerita of Sociology at Berkeley, who introduces a crucial new perspective for helping us understand the socio-economic dimensions of Trump’s rabid support base. Make sure you join us here on Patreon to support our work and gain access to exclusive perks: patreon.com/ReallyAmericanMedia Our site: https://cms.megaphone.fm/channel/shrinking-trump  Subscribe on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shrinking-trump/id1745797271 Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4xuuqHxzruLEsQXtTuJjP4 Subscribe on Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/a101a15a-8b18-49c8-b556-c201aece30ee/shrinking-trump Subscribe on iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-shrinking-trump-175213669/ We kick things off by analyzing Donald Trump’s visible cognitive decline and possible dementia, emphasized through a changing gait and a series of bizarre phonemic paraphasias— when someone fails to finish a word they've started. We’ll unpack several recent examples of Trump’s speech anomalies and disorganized statements that are telltale signs of a deteriorating brain condition.  Professor Hochschild shares valuable insight from her book, Stolen Pride: Loss, Shame, and the Rise of the Right, and explains how structural shame and socio-economic decline among white, non-college-educated communities have fueled the appeal of Trump’s rhetoric. She provides us with the hard truth about why these communities find solace in Trump’s transgressive, anti-establishment behavior. We’ll talk about the TikTok phenomenon "Eat the Cat," a new viral trend making fun of Trump’s absurd statements about Haitian immigrants. Dr. Gartner and Dr. Siegel break down the multiple layers of meaning behind this meme, highlighting it as both a form of derision and a war cry of resistance. You’ll hear highlights from Kamala Harris’s recent examples of  empathetic engagement, compassion, and leadership that serve as a stark contrast with Trump.  And You won’t want to miss the supercut of Trump’s recent speech in New York, where he made seven phonemic paraphasias in one sitting. Trump’s gaffes, ranging from mispronunciations to nonsensical statements, highlight an alarming frequency and severity of these cognitive slips.  As Richard Friedman wrote in The Atlantic, traditionally, such behavior would necessitate an urgent psychiatric evaluation. Thank you for joining us. Stay tuned for our next session as we continue to explore Trump’s cognitive decline during this transformative moment in American history. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. John Gartner and Dr. Harry Siegel discuss how Donald Trump’s cognitive decline and psychological weaknesses were on full display during Kamala’s dominating debate performance. Harris biographer Dan Morain joins the show to share his unique insights into the VP’s career, personal history, and the impact her immigrant parents had on shaping her story. You’ll also get an update on how the media and political elite, once ignorant of the dangers Trump posed, seems to have finally grown aware of Donald’s profound detachment from reality. Make sure you join us here on Patreon to support our work and gain access to exclusive perks: patreon.com/ReallyAmericanMedia Our site: https://cms.megaphone.fm/channel/shrinking-trump  Subscribe on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shrinking-trump/id1745797271 Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4xuuqHxzruLEsQXtTuJjP4 Subscribe on Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/a101a15a-8b18-49c8-b556-c201aece30ee/shrinking-trump Subscribe on iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-shrinking-trump-175213669/ We have a lot to unpack after this week’s historic debate performance by Kamala Harris and the Trump campaign’s ensuing meltdown. Our hosts analyze how Harris systematically dismantled Donald Trump on every front, showcasing her eloquence, grace under pressure, and a strong strategic understanding of her opponent's weaknesses.  Our guest today is Dan Morain, a long-time journalist and author who has spent much of his career covering Kamala Harris. His book, Kamala's Way, gives an intimate look at the Vice President’s personal journey, and charts how the daughter of two immigrants in segregated California became one of this country’s most effective power players.   Morain joins the show to help us understand how a determined mother and her immigrant heritage shaped Harris’s resilience, intelligence, and preparedness that have clearly paid off in the political arena today. Dan also shares some touching anecdotes about Kamala’s heartfelt humanity, and willingness to personally connect with people away from the cameras. Trump’s debate debacle is just another glaring piece of evidence of his cognitive decline. Our hosts will break down how Harris's debate strategy is a part of a broader, well-executed plan to exploit Donald’s vulnerabilities and expose his broken brain. An official campaign ad features Barack Obama’s critique of Trump’s obsession with crowd sizes, and George Conway’s success in goading Donald with targeted attack ads, proves just that. Dr. Gartner and Dr. Siegel will also dissect various parts of the debate and other recent Trump speeches to analyze the growing evidence of Trump’s deteriorating mental state. And we’ll wrap up with a reflection on the remarkable journey of Shrinking Trump so far. Thanks for joining us. Be sure to join us for next week’s session, as we embark on this pivotal moment in American history together. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Shrinking Trump, Dr. John Gartner and Dr. Harry Siegel are joined by special guest Dr. Dan Partland to analyze the latest evidence of Trump’s cognitive decline. Dr. Parland tells us all about his new hit documentary #UNTRUTH: The Psychology of Trumpism, which examines how profit-driven enablers and power-seeking MAGA politicians are purposefully creating divisions that threaten our democracy. Our hosts demystify cult Trump’s following by analyzing them with compassion and understanding, which they explain is necessary to heal and unify our divided nation. They also discuss the rising tide of authoritarianism within the MAGA movement, and talk about Jimmy McCain’s damning statement on Trump. Lastly, this episode explores the roots of JD Vance's misogynistic commentary. Make sure you join us here on Patreon to support our work and gain access to exclusive perks: patreon.com/ReallyAmericanMedia Our site: https://cms.megaphone.fm/channel/shrinking-trump  Subscribe on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shrinking-trump/id1745797271 Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4xuuqHxzruLEsQXtTuJjP4 Subscribe on Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/a101a15a-8b18-49c8-b556-c201aece30ee/shrinking-trump Subscribe on iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-shrinking-trump-175213669/ As expert clinical psychologists, John and Harry have been ringing the alarm bells on Trump’s behavior for years, pointing out the signs of his cognitive decline. From his increasingly simplified language to outright contradictory statements, we’ll dive into some of the most recent glaring evidence of The Donald’s mental deterioration.  One striking example is the Trump campaign’s embarrassing stunt at Arlington National Cemetery. We’ll explain how the incident itself and Donald’s erratic responses to the backlash showcase his profound detachment from reality. As Dr. Gartner and Dr. Siegel emphasize, understanding Trump’s psyche is only one small part of the puzzle. We’ll take a closer look at the psychological terrain behind the mass movement of his supporters. And that is where Dr. Dan Partland comes in to explain how the cultural and psychological state of America allowed Trump’s cult to take root in the first place. We’ll also discuss the astonishing reach of social media algorithms, which are aimed at influencing public perception and pushing vulnerable users towards radical content and misinformation. And you’ll hear Dr. Siegel’s spot-on contrast of Trump's deteriorating cognitive state with Vice President Kamala Harris's strong psychological health. Enjoy the episode and we’ll see you again next week for another session!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this all new episode of Shrinking Trump, hosts Dr. John Gartner and Dr. Harry Siegel are joined by Veteran journalist and Trump expert David Cay Johnston to analyze the latest glaring symptoms of Donald Trump's cognitive decline and severe personality disorders.  Make sure you join us here on Patreon to support our work and gain access to exclusive perks: patreon.com/ReallyAmericanMedia Our site: https://cms.megaphone.fm/channel/shrinking-trump  Subscribe on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shrinking-trump/id1745797271 Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4xuuqHxzruLEsQXtTuJjP4 Subscribe on Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/a101a15a-8b18-49c8-b556-c201aece30ee/shrinking-trump Subscribe on iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-shrinking-trump-175213669/ You’ll hear shocking video and audio evidence of Trump’s phonemic paraphasias, erratic speech patterns, deteriorating associative thinking, and other bipolar traits. We’ll also give you an update on George Conway’s efforts to exploit Trump’s vulnerabilities and psychological weaknesses with targeted attack ads. Our guest David Cay Johnston contributes expert insights into Trump’s psychological state. He’ll also reveal how Trump’s tumultuous upbringing with a harsh father left him emotionally and psychologically affected and is now driven by an unending need to fill an internal void. We’ll talk about how JD Vance is both revealing a deeper, systemic thinking in the MAGA base, and alienating voters with recent ugly, personal attacks. Dr.’s Gartner and Siegel also use examples of Trump’s low-energy rants and increasingly simplistic language to demonstrate a clear deterioration of Donald’s cognitive abilities.  You won’t want to miss this awesome episode! And be sure to tune in next week for another hit session.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this session of Shrinking Trump, our hosts Dr. John Gartner and Dr. Harry Segel are joined by PhD-trained psychologist Dr. Ben Michaelis to explore the latest evidence of Trump's rapid cognitive decline, and discuss how recent targeted political attack ads have triggered the worst of Donald’s malignant narcissism.  Make sure you join us here on Patreon to support our work and gain access to exclusive perks: patreon.com/ReallyAmericanMedia Our site: https://cms.megaphone.fm/channel/shrinking-trump  Subscribe on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shrinking-trump/id1745797271 Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4xuuqHxzruLEsQXtTuJjP4 Subscribe on Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/a101a15a-8b18-49c8-b556-c201aece30ee/shrinking-trump Subscribe on iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-shrinking-trump-175213669/   We’ll examine the pathology of Trump's deteriorating speech patterns, worsening personality disorders, and weird obsessions, and contrast it against the psychological and emotional strength displayed by Kamala Harris and Tim Walz. And you’ll hear the latest update on how the Lincoln Project and George Conway’s Anti-Psychopath PAC are exposing Trump’s cognitive deterioration by provoking his wild responses to carefully placed attack ads. Dr. Michaelis walks us through the impact that social media and Trump’s increasingly erratic behavior has on the national psyche and emotional connections in our communities. He’ll also work together with John and Harry to compare Trump's past and present speech patterns, which reveal a shocking deterioration of his language skills and associative thinking.  We’ll also talk about Barack Obama’s DNC speech, and reflect on the genuine power of emotional connections in building psychological health. So listen in as our esteemed psychologists, Dr.’s Gartner and Segal set the stage for another entertaining and in-depth analysis of the latest evidence of Trump’s cognitive decline.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hosts Dr. John Gartner and Dr. Harry Segal highlight Trump’s deteriorating language skills and verbal fluency, and Hafiz Rashid of The New Republic shares his insights on why the Press has finally started to cover Donald’s cognitive decline.  Make sure you join us here on Patreon to support our work and gain access to exclusive perks: patreon.com/ReallyAmericanMedia Our site: https://cms.megaphone.fm/channel/shrinking-trump  Subscribe on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shrinking-trump/id1745797271 Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4xuuqHxzruLEsQXtTuJjP4 Subscribe on Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/a101a15a-8b18-49c8-b556-c201aece30ee/shrinking-trump Subscribe on iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-shrinking-trump-175213669/   "We saw early signs of dementia as exhibited by his strange gait,” Dr. Segal said, “by his phonemic paraphasia's, that is his inability to complete saying certain words, and also by a kind of decline in the complexity of his language and thinking." In this show, our clinical psychiatrist experts will dissect Trump’s “mental disintegration” as can be seen from his increasingly erratic speech, absurd connections, and inability to control his emotions. We’ll talk about the work being done by George Conway’s Anti-Psychopath PAC, which is triggering Trump by exposing his dangerous cognitive decline and playing on his narcissism with targeted ads buys. And it’s working. “It provoked a reaction; it got him angry,” Dr. Gartner said. “We're manipulating him with these commercials in a way that forces him to reveal himself, that forces him to be off balance and to actually demonstrate the very pathology that we've been trying to articulate and talk about on this show.” John and Harry diagnose the psychological impact that the Harris Walz campaigns’ true emotional connection has had on the political discourse. And you’ll hear an examination of how Trump's personality disorders lead to his many impulsive and destructive reactions. Thanks so much for listening. We’ll be back next week for another appointment to share the latest of Trump's alarming behavior and cognitive decline.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this all-new episode of Shrinking Trump, our hosts Dr. John Gartner and Dr. Harry Segal are joined by author and expert psychotherapist Dr. Alissa Hirshfield-Flores to diagnose the intricate aspects of Donald Trump's mental and emotional decline. With a focus on Trump's malignant narcissism, and psychological frailty, we’ll talk about Donald’s meltdown in Georgia, his continued obsession with crowd sizes, and the obvious signs of his worsening dementia. Make sure you join us here on Patreon to support our work and gain access to exclusive perks: patreon.com/ReallyAmericanMedia Our site: https://cms.megaphone.fm/channel/shrinking-trump  Subscribe on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shrinking-trump/id1745797271 Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4xuuqHxzruLEsQXtTuJjP4 Subscribe on Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/a101a15a-8b18-49c8-b556-c201aece30ee/shrinking-trump Subscribe on iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-shrinking-trump-175213669/ You’ll hear new, clear evidence of Trump’s decline as we share some of his most unhinged statements and antics from the last week and debunk several of his latest conspiracy theories and lies. We’ll also talk about some disturbing RFK, Jr. news and discuss the major impact of Kamala Harris’s VP selection.  Dr. Hershfield-Flores’s book Fury: Women's Lived Experiences During the Trump Era, explores the trauma women in America faced under Trump's presidency. The book features essays that capture women's reactions to Trump's rhetoric and tells of their inspiring self-empowerment through activism. Together with John and Harry, Dr. Hershfield Flores walks us through the psychological effects of Trump's narcissism on women, the significance of Kamala Harris’s nomination, and the collective energy gathering among women voters in this election.  We’ll also discuss how Trump’s hostile strategies might backfire against a joyous, powerful woman like Kamala Harris. And we’ll take a hard look at the schemes behind Trump and Elon Musk’s recent pivot toward cryptocurrency. So tune in and turn it up for another awesome episode, and we’ll see you back here next week!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we are joined by the esteemed Dr. Diane Pomerantz and Anti-Psychopath PAC’s George Conway, as hosts Dr.’s John Gartner and Harry Siegel push forward with their mission to inform the public of Trump's dangerous cognitive decline. Make sure you join us here on Patreon to support our work and gain access to exclusive perks: patreon.com/ReallyAmericanMedia Our site: https://cms.megaphone.fm/channel/shrinking-trump  Subscribe on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/really-political/id1742461616 Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6AEHmPMAqDlLJEbMgXq1iJ Subscribe on Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/83ca7283-59fb-4cb7-a34b-03c4b0218f29 Subscribe on iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-really-political-169545670/ In today’s session, renowned clinical Psychologist Dr. Diane Pomerantz shares her touching personal experience and expert insights into confronting gaslighting from a narcissist, drawing parallels to the national consciousness under Trump. Our hosts discuss a brand new phenomenon called 'Kamala Mania' and contrast the VP’s warm charismatic appeal with Trump's demeaning and unpredictable behavior. We’ll also talk about how Harris’s momentum has made Trump paranoid, triggering his racist and misogynistic attacks and highlighting the psychological weaknesses in his reactive nature.  And George Conway joins the show to share how he has been provoking and destabilizing Trump through targeted ads in safe zones like Mar-A-Lago. In fact, Trump has already reacted just as George predicted - by sending off a rambling post about Conway on Truth social. “Trump has no long game,” Dr. Segal said.  “He responds to everything in the moment. So of course George was right about it.”  Dr. Gartner diagnoses the seismic shift of Donald Trump’s persona from a strongman to “The Diaper Candidate” now that he is up against a younger, vibrant opponent. We’ll also discuss the major impact Kamala Harris’s candidacy is having on the political landscape and explore all the brilliant ways she is redefining Trump.  Finally, our hosts will examine clips of Trump’s most bizarre statements and antics from the past week to highlight the ways in which Donald is demonstrating signs of cognitive decline. “Our goal is to help this public think in more clinically sophisticated ways,” Dr. Gartner said. “And we're going to keep pointing out the ways in which Trump is paranoid, malevolent, petty, and fragile.”  So be sure to tune in again next week for another awesome episode of Shrinking Trump. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

George Conway, President of the all-new Anti-Psychopath PAC, joins the show to warn Americans about Donald Trump's increasing mental instability and discuss what it’s going to take to defeat him in November. Make sure you join us here on Patreon to support our work and gain access to exclusive perks: patreon.com/ReallyAmericanMedia Our site: https://cms.megaphone.fm/channel/shrinking-trump  Subscribe on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/really-political/id1742461616 Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6AEHmPMAqDlLJEbMgXq1iJ Subscribe on Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/83ca7283-59fb-4cb7-a34b-03c4b0218f29 Subscribe on iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-really-political-169545670/ Three months ago, Dr. John Gartner and Dr. Harry Segal started this show to bring attention to Trump's cognitive decline and to call out the media for failing to report on it properly.  In this very special episode we are joined by renowned lawyer and activist George Conway, who created the PSYCHO political action committee to warn undecided voters in swing states that Donald is psychologically unfit to be president. George joins the show to tell us more about the great work he is doing, and break down the clear and present dangers posed by Trump. Our hosts will take a hard look at Joe Biden’s decision to drop out of the race for president. “It took a lot of cognitive maturity and clarity for Joe Biden to make this decision,” Dr. Segal said. “And I think that's just another example of who Joe Biden is.”  “It was time to pass the baton and he did it,” Dr. Gartner said. “Which is something a malignant narcissist would never do, surrendering power peacefully or willingly, never ever.” We’ll also talk about how Kamala Harris has upended the race for president with extreme command, and contrast it with the disturbing behavior consistently seen from Trump. And we’ll remind listeners that even after the assassination attempt, Trump will never change.  “He's never going to pivot because he's a malignant narcissist,” Dr. Gartner said. “The more success they have, the more inflamed their grandiosity becomes, the more inflamed their paranoia becomes, and the more vicious their sadism becomes.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drs. Gartner and Segal are joined by clinical professor Justin Frank MD, who wrote "Trump on the Couch: Inside the Mind of the President," who explains how Trump's grandiosity made him able to process the assassination attempt and raise his fist after the event. Make sure you join us here on Patreon to support our work and gain access to exclusive perks: patreon.com/ReallyAmericanMedia Our site: https://cms.megaphone.fm/channel/shrinking-trump  Subscribe on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/really-political/id1742461616 Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6AEHmPMAqDlLJEbMgXq1iJ Subscribe on Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/83ca7283-59fb-4cb7-a34b-03c4b0218f29 Subscribe on iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-really-political-169545670/ You are definitely going to want to hear Dr. Gartner and Dr. Segal’s shocking explanation for why they think Trump reacted the way he did at the shooting. “Listen, if I were shot in the ear at a rally, I'd stay on the ground,” Dr. Segal said. “This guy in two seconds puts his fist up. I mean, it's so a part of him. It’s so instinctual.” In this session, our hosts will be discussing the trauma of the shooting at Trump’s rally and the impact it’s having on the political landscape. We’ll also unbox how our culture’s irreverence toward elders has made Biden the victim of ageism, and as a result many have greatly misinterpreted the President’s normal signs of aging. Our guest, Dr. Frank rejoins the show to help us diagnose how the assassination attempt will likely impact Trump’s psychology. “Surviving the attack reinforces his paranoia that he is under attack,” Dr. Gartner said. “It reinforces his grandiosity that somehow he's so triumphant that even death can't take him.”  We’ll also be talking about Trump’s VP pick JD Vance, the Republican National Convention, and so much more in this FANTASTIC episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drs. Gartner and Segal talk to Dr. Eric Jackson, Director of the Stuttering and Variability Lab at NYU who argues that a lot of what looked like cognitive decline in Biden’s debate performance was actually stuttering: a message America needs to hear.  Make sure you join us here on Patreon to support our work and gain access to exclusive perks: patreon.com/ReallyAmericanMedia Our site: https://cms.megaphone.fm/channel/shrinking-trump  Subscribe on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/really-political/id1742461616 Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6AEHmPMAqDlLJEbMgXq1iJ Subscribe on Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/83ca7283-59fb-4cb7-a34b-03c4b0218f29 Subscribe on iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-really-political-169545670/ We cautioned our listeners over the last week to take a deep breath and allow us to analyze more data points on Biden’s language, mannerisms, and overall cognitive health. In this episode, Dr. Gartner and Dr. Segal will use significant data to help put Biden’s debate performance in perspective by presenting a model of who Biden really is with a true expert in the field of communication. Our hosts also break down some of Trump’s most absurd statements from this week. Our guest today is Dr. Eric Jackson, a speech-language pathologist and Associate Professor in the Communicative Sciences and Disorders department at NYU. Eric's research focuses on the variability of stuttering and the inconsistencies of how stuttering events manifest themselves. Eric joins the show to decipher how much of Biden’s poor debate performance can be attributed to stuttering vs cognitive decline. “Stuttering is an articulation problem,” Dr. Gartner said. “It's not a brain problem. It's not a thinking problem. It's not a cognitive problem.” Dr. Jackson helps our listeners better understand the challenges stutterer’s face, including the anticipation of stuttering and what mechanisms they develop to disguise the stutter. “Biden uses a lot of these,” Eric said. “When he was younger and quicker, he was more able to implement them. But now that he's aging and slower, it's more difficult for him, and that seems to be contributing to what people are characterizing as the mumbling or the stumbling or even the losing his train of thought.” John and Harry also give us a clear contrast of Biden’s mental acuity vs Trump’s constant brain failures.  “Biden’s a flawed candidate, Dr. Segal said. “But compared to Donald Trump he's perfect. And really compared to any candidate, he's quite strong.” You’ll also hear our hosts call out the media for failing to cover Trump’s psychopathology while spending the last two week’s obsessing over Biden’s “cognitive decline.”  “Someone tweeted today that in the New York Times there are eight articles about Biden's cognitive decline, and no articles about Trump's psychopathology,” Dr. Gartner said. This is a trend now that we're going to have to deal with.” “John and I began the show because we were alarmed by the ways in which the media and even the political elites seem to be ignoring the ways in which Donald Trump was expressing early signs of dementia,” Dr. Segal said. “A few weeks ago, when Joe Biden showed up to the debate,  the country was really caught off guard. It left me and many other people in the country wondering, how is Biden really doing? Who is he really? How is his functioning?” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hosts Dr. John Gartner and Dr. Harry Segal are joined by geriatrician and dementia expert Dr. Elizabeth Landsverk to analyze Biden’s debate performance and determine what signs of dementia, if any, he actually displayed. Dr. Vince Greenwood is also back on the show to help us evaluate the signs of aging and cognitive decline shown from both candidates. Make sure you join us here on Patreon to support our work and gain access to exclusive perks: patreon.com/ReallyAmericanMedia Our site: https://cms.megaphone.fm/channel/shrinking-trump  Subscribe on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/really-political/id1742461616 Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6AEHmPMAqDlLJEbMgXq1iJ Subscribe on Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/83ca7283-59fb-4cb7-a34b-03c4b0218f29 Subscribe on iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-really-political-169545670/ Welcome to another edition of Shrinking Trump, where we normally talk about how Donald Trump’s behavior shows signs of dementia, and to point out how the media improperly covers it. Since the debate, however, many Americans, including us, have been left wondering if Biden's performance was simply a bad episode or if it's a sign of a worsening cognitive condition. Dr. Gartner is optimistic, and based on available data is concluding that Biden is showing normal signs of aging and not suffering from a cognitive condition. Dr. Segal, however, is not so sure.    “What accounts for what happened last Thursday,” Dr. Segal asked. “Was it simply exhaustion? Or was it a cognitive decline that we're now being allowed to see? I think it’s very important for us to ask these questions.”  In this episode, our hosts analyze Biden’s appearance and behavior in the week that followed the poor debate performance, including a rally in North Carolina and a strong speech about the Supreme Court presidential immunity ruling. We’ll talk about how Biden’s aging should not necessarily be confused with incompetence. “It looked so terrible,” Dr. Gartner said “And it had such a terrible impact that the truth might not even matter. But if we're looking at the truth, we have to understand how someone can show signs of aging but also be competent.” We’ll highlight some of Trump’s cognitive failures from the week to demonstrate the clear difference from Biden’s normal signs of aging and Trump’s clear decline. “The symptoms we're seeing in Trump are worse and more constant,” John said. “Biden may have not been able to complete his sentence properly, but at no point during the debate did he think Obama was President. He's not making up quotes from Ulysses S. Grant. He's not talking nonsense about sharks and batteries.” You’ll also get our take on why Biden’s debate performance was such a flop and hear who John thinks is primarily to blame for the whole debacle. Trust us, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Co-hosts Drs. John Gartner and Harry Segal discuss the presidential debate with famed psychologist David Dunning, co-author of the “Dunning-Krueger Effect. The nation must deal with the shock, panic, and trauma created by Biden’s poor performance. But what caused it? Age, stuttering, illness, cognitive decline, poor debate preparation and strategy, or some combination? How concerned should we be? Make sure you join us here on Patreon to support our work and gain access to exclusive perks: patreon.com/ReallyAmericanMedia Our site: https://cms.megaphone.fm/channel/shrinking-trump  Subscribe on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/really-political/id1742461616 Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6AEHmPMAqDlLJEbMgXq1iJ Subscribe on Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/83ca7283-59fb-4cb7-a34b-03c4b0218f29 Subscribe on iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-really-political-169545670/ We started this show to call out the media for failing to recognize Trump’s early signs of dementia and to contrast that with Biden’s normal aging. “It’s what John referred to as, ‘the aging brain versus the dementing brain’,” Dr. Segal said. “And our goal is really to raise clinical awareness and sophistication on the part of you, our viewers, but also of the media.” Week after week we have offered a series of progressive hypotheses to explain Trump’s behavior, his language, and even his physical bearing. And now, after the debate sent shockwaves through the media and the public, we thought it important to look at what actually happened that night. “As far as a performance and as far as the political impact, I would say it couldn't have been worse,” Dr. Gartner said. “In terms of understanding what happened, however, I think we are actually going to have a very interesting discussion today because it's actually quite complex. You’ll hear our hosts share their very relatable personal reactions to the debate and help us all understand the trauma Americans suffered that evening. “I felt like the walls were closing in,” John said. “I felt the floor actually fall beneath me like I was falling into the void.” “I felt that I had just experienced a trauma - like my whole world had changed,” Dr. Segal said. “This was not normal functioning. This was terrifying and traumatizing.” We’ll run through some of the clips to analyze how the candidates’ body language made Trump’s answers sound better than they were - and Biden’s WAY worse than they actually were.  While Trump had a more commanding performance, our hosts argue that he had a clever way of hiding his cognitive decline. “Trump is stringing together his slogans - he gums them together,” Harry said. “We've been watching him do this in rallies. But through the forcefulness of his tone and his ability to create rhythm in his speech, it seems to make sense in a cohesive, coherent way. This is a way that Trump is managing his own decline, which is not being expressed through a weakness in his voice, but in other ways.” We’ll also analyze the physical signs of advanced aging Biden displayed, and discuss what role the debate prep likely played in his delivery. And we weigh the impact of Biden’s traditional stutter on his performance and how that can often be confused with actual signs of aging. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Top Psychologists John Gartner and Harry Segal are joined by Professor of Neuropsychology and Neurology at UCFF Dr. Joel Kramer, as they parse significant differences between Biden's chronic stutter and Trump's glaring dementia. Make sure you join us here on Patreon to support our work and gain access to exclusive perks: patreon.com/ReallyAmericanMedia Our site: https://cms.megaphone.fm/channel/shrinking-trump  Subscribe on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/really-political/id1742461616 Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6AEHmPMAqDlLJEbMgXq1iJ Subscribe on Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/83ca7283-59fb-4cb7-a34b-03c4b0218f29 Subscribe on iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-really-political-169545670/ Dr. Joel Kramer is the director of the neuropsychology program at the UCSF Memory and Aging Center. He studies the effects of neurodegenerative disease on intellectual abilities and behavior.  Dr. Kramer was quoted in the Washington Post last week saying that the risk for both Biden and Trump are “about the same for demonstrating some degree of cognitive decline over the next four to five years.” Our host John Gartner brought him on the show to challenge this conclusion. The Post failed to mention that in their interview Dr. Kramer also said, “Biden has an established history of a developmental language disorder - stuttering, while Trump's gaffes are more likely driven by disordered thinking.” Welcome to another addition of Shrinking Trump, our weekly show where we review the ways in which Trump’s behavior over the past week demonstrates signs of early onset of dementia, and express his malignant personality disorder. “And each week,” Dr. Segal says, “we've been trying to help you, our listeners, as well as the media, to think about Trump in a more clinically sophisticated and accurate way.” We’ll analyze Trump’s wildest episodes from the past week and point out the different variables that likely influence his shifting behaviors and cognitive ability.  From forgetting the name of Joe Biden and the Doctor who administered his cognitive test, to calling Milwaukee a “horrible” city, to suggesting that Nancy Pelosi would want to date him, Trump “really writes his own Saturday Night Live cold open,” as Dr. Gartner puts it.  “Why are we talking about this? Because there's a deterioration in his frontal lobes that are causing him to become disinhibited and lose his executive functioning.” Clips on social media can be distorted and misleading. At times Trump can be articulate and forceful. But as our hosts show you each week, there is likely enough video evidence to diagnose actual signs of a progressive dementia and cognitive decline.  “As I predicted when we started this show two months ago, he will continue to get worse, Dr. Gartner said. “He will continue to show these symptoms more and more.”  Dr. Kramer answers Dr. Gartner’s challenge, defend his statements, and will walk us through the major differences between Trump and Biden, as both a concerned citizen and as a practicing neuropsychologist.  “You and I are taking a big risk by coming on this show every week and talking, not definitively, but arguing strongly for a diagnosis of Trump,” Dr. Segal said.  “Not just what seems to me to be an onset of cognitive decline, but also his severe personality disorder. But the mainstream press doesn't want to come out and label Trump. And so they're just putting it out there that they're both old. I think it's cowardly. I don't think it helps the public.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Top Psychologists John Gartner and Harry Segal are joined by Clinical Psychologist John Skrovan, as they address Trump's malignant narcissism, and his inability to process shame, and how that shapes his rapid cognitive decline. Make sure you join us here on Patreon to support our work and gain access to exclusive perks: patreon.com/ReallyAmericanMedia Our site: https://cms.megaphone.fm/channel/shrinking-trump  Subscribe on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/really-political/id1742461616 Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6AEHmPMAqDlLJEbMgXq1iJ Subscribe on Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/83ca7283-59fb-4cb7-a34b-03c4b0218f29 Subscribe on iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-really-political-169545670/ Welcome to another addition of Shrinking Trump, where we meet each week to present the mounting evidence of Trump’s mental decline and early onset dementia. “Our goal is really to educate the public, to help them to think clinically in a more sophisticated way,” Dr. Segal said. In this episode, our hosts will be sharing the latest audio and video examples of Trump’s disorientation, confusion, and some peculiar but very specific physical telltale signs of brain damage and deterioration. Joining the show this week is leading clinical psychologist  Dr. John Skrovan who gives us his take on how difficult Trump’s malignant narcissism was born out of shame from a horrible emotional environment.  “When you have a repeated kind of a shame, it can become a mortifying shame,” he said. “Some people will even call it a soul murder.” He’ll walk us through how that shame is manifested in his behavior You’ll hear Dr. Segal’s take on Dr. Phil’s (who is no longer a licensed psychologist) recent softball interview in which the severity of Trump’s narcissistic personality was put on full display.  “It's getting to the point where I never hear anything true,” said Dr. Segal. “And I've heard the lies being recycled because he gums them together.” We’ll also walk through some of the terrifying details of Trump’s Project 2025 and talk about the convicted felon’s recent open embrace of the role of America’s Hitler.  “One of the pieces of his plan that I find most dangerous and offensive, as a Jew is their attack on immigrants,“ says Dr. Gartner. “They are demonizing them. They're dehumanizing them, and they're setting people up for the idea that we can send them to concentration camps.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Top Psychologists John Gartner and Harry Segal are joined by Dr. John Talmadge, one of the first to have written about Trump's dementia, as they address Trump's fixation on vengeance and peel back the layers of his rapid cognitive decline. Make sure you join us here on Patreon to support our work and gain access to exclusive perks: patreon.com/ReallyAmericanMedia Our site: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/really-political Subscribe on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/really-political/id1742461616 Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6AEHmPMAqDlLJEbMgXq1iJ Subscribe on Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/83ca7283-59fb-4cb7-a34b-03c4b0218f29 Subscribe on iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-really-political-169545670/ Welcome to another addition of Shrinking Trump, where we meet each week to present the mounting evidence of Trump’s mental decline and early onset dementia. This week was particularly telling for Trump, as he attempts to deal with the reality of his conviction on 34 felony counts. Our guest Dr. Talmadge is a Dartmouth University grad and former clinical professor of psychiatry at the University of Texas. His article from 2015, described Trump as demented, and suffering from malignant narcissism. “Trump's dementia is generally overlooked because of the florid, colorful, and newsworthy nature of his malignant narcissism,” Talmadge wrote. In this episode, Dr. Talmadge explains how Trump’s mental deficits and his attempts to conceal them are laid bare in the way he communicates. “With my background, I was struck very quickly by his language, his inability to handle complex ideas, and his difficulty adapting to novel situations,” Dr. Talmadge said. “The fact that he doesn't talk with people, he talks at people, which is called compensating for your deficits.” You are not going to want to miss Dr. Talmadge’s diagnosis, in detail, of four of the most significant psychological symptoms that serve as evidence of Trump’s mental decline. On today’s show, our hosts give us their diagnosis of a pandering, lie-filled, interview the Fox and Friends “B Team” gave to Trump over the weekend. They’ll break down Trump’s wildest statements from the interview and explain why that kind of unchecked, biased presentation of his lies is so dangerous. “He told lies about the conviction,” Harry said. “They asked him not one question about the charges. Not one question about the substance. They accepted his story that it's all made up.” Our hosts will also examine how Trump’s paranoia and malignant narcissism allows him to energize his supporters by creating false threats based on generalities. “He said that there was someone with a machete in a McDonald's,” Dr. Segal said. “It turns out there was once someone with a machete outside of McDonald's. So Trump reads this one little clip, and now suddenly it's an invasion of criminals who are going to chop you to pieces with their machete.” And finally - I hope you’ll enjoy this week’s segment of Good News, Bad News, where our hosts absolutely rip apart WSJ journal coverage of Biden’s mental health, based on statements made by, as Dr. Segal said, “Kevin McCarthy, a pathological liar and psychopath.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Top Psychologists John Gartner and Harry Segal discuss with Dr. Lance Dodes the psychological fallout America will have to brace itself for, following the first conviction of an unhinged former President in history on Really American's SMASH HIT podcast, Shrinking Trump. This special episode is an "emergency session” of the iTunes chart-topping podcast to discuss fallout from the unstable Republican presidential candidate that could have dire consequences. Our site: https://cms.megaphone.fm/channel/shrinking-trump  Subscribe on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shrinking-trump/id1745797271  Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4xuuqHxzruLEsQXtTuJjP4  Subscribe on Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/a101a15a-8b18-49c8-b556-c201aece30ee/shrinking-trump  Subscribe on iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-shrinking-trump-175213669/  Returning to the show for this special is our friend Dr. Dodes, a retired assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. In this episode, Lance will be helping our hosts psychoanalyze Trump’s unhinged press conference from the morning after he was convicted of 34 felonies.  “Right now, Donald Trump is a wounded animal, " John said. “There's nothing more dangerous than a wounded animal. And there's really nothing more dangerous than a wounded malignant narcissist.” Using video and direct quotes, our hosts provide you with an in-depth analysis of how Trump’s projection, narcissism, sociopathy, and dementia were on full display in his sham of a press conference. “Remember, this is a press conference to explain why he's been convicted of 34 felonies,” said Dr. Gartner. “But from the way he presents it, you'd think he was there to accept an award.” Dr. Dodes walks us through his own diagnosis of Trump’s performance, and helps us understand the dangerous psychology of how a now-wounded malignant narcissist like Trump would respond if he were to regain power. He also gives us a rundown of the deranged cult mentality that empowers charismatic leaders like Trump, and the interpersonal effects his distorted beliefs have on his followers. Trump’s ability to manipulate the truth rests in his ability to repeat his lies over and over. But he’s also helped by an army of surrogates who parrot his false reality. In this episode, we’ll be taking a hard look at how the conviction and these competing realities might affect the psychology of voters.  There’s also a chilling conversation comparing Trump’s malignant narcissism to Hitler’s that you are not going to want to miss. “I've been saying now for six years that Donald Trump is the American Hitler,” John explained. “And immigrants are the new Jews.” Dr. Segal said it best when sounding the alarm. “We're not saying this as political activists,” he said. “We're talking about a very disturbed person with tremendous power and influence saying psychotic things that are organized around evoking rage and fear in his supporters.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the latest episode of this TOP-RANKED podcast, psychologists John Gartner and Harry Segal are joined by Dr. Justin Frank, an expert in psychiatry and psychoanalysis, to pinpoint the root cause of Donald Trump’s psychopathy. Our site: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/shrinking-trump  Subscribe on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shrinking-trump/id1745797271  Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4xuuqHxzruLEsQXtTuJjP4  Subscribe on Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/a101a15a-8b18-49c8-b556-c201aece30ee/shrinking-trump  Subscribe on iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-shrinking-trump-175213669/  Dr. Justin Frank is a former clinical professor of psychiatry at George Washington University Medical Center who practices and teaches psychoanalysis in Washington, DC. He’s also the author of Trump on the Couch: Inside the Mind of the President, a psychological biography of Trump. Justin provides our listeners with his theory as to why Trump behaves the way he does, and it might just leave you stunned. You absolutely will not want to miss his insight into how and why the now-convicted felon became a prolific liar in the first place. “One of the biggest psychological sources of lying is when a person is lied to and they understand it,” he said. “So they start lying to other people.”  Dr. Frank also pinpoints where the psychological void in Donald Trump’s life likely originated. In this interview you’ll find out exactly how that emptiness manifests itself in all of Trump’s actions, and get a stark view of what happens when that level of psychopathy meets dementia.  We’ll kick off the show with another great segment of “Dementia Roundup,” where John and Harry share video of Trump’s most bizarre statements and behaviors from the week to highlight the mounting evidence of his cognitive decline.  You’ll also get to hear another segment of “Good News, Bad News,” where we pick apart the best and worst of the mainstream media’s coverage of Biden and Trump’s cognitive health. This week we’re looking at coverage of some wildly false and highly unqualified claims made by some Congressional Republicans.  “It's worse than irresponsible,” John said. “I want to be clear. I'm not using this term lightly. These people are psychopaths.” We hope you’ll join us each week where, like a session, we’ll be analyzing Trump’s disturbing psychopathy, personality disorder, and signs of dementia. “Tell your friends we’re here. We are trying to help educate the public about what we see as a dangerous decline of Trump's cognitive functioning,” said Harry, “which is happening in addition to a severe personality disorder known as malignant narcissism. The cognitive decline is intermittent. The psychopathology is constant.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Top Psychologists John Gartner and Harry Segal are joined by Emily and Mitchell Clionsky, experts in dementia, to outline the specific symptoms of Trump's mental decline on Really American's SMASH HIT podcast, Shrinking Trump. Our site: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/shrinking-trump Subscribe on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shrinking-trump/id1745797271 Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4xuuqHxzruLEsQXtTuJjP4 Subscribe on Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/a101a15a-8b18-49c8-b556-c201aece30ee/shrinking-trump Subscribe on iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-shrinking-trump-175213669/ Mitchell Clionsky is a PhD, board-certified in clinical neuropsychology. Emily is an Internal Medicine doctor and psychiatrist as well as a diplomate in the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. They are both specialists in dementia and are co-authors of the book Dementia Prevention: Using Your Head to Save Your Brain. You will not want to miss what they have to share from their observations and analysis of Trump.  Emily presents our listeners with informal medical observations of Donald Trump to guide our future diagnostic questions and testing. Some of the insights she shares about his physical and mental well-being are shocking. Mitchell takes us on a unique, deep-dive into an evaluation of Trump’s deteriorating executive functions from the viewpoint of a hiring officer at a major corporation. “We evaluated him eight years ago,” Mitchell said. “And again four years ago because he was ousted by the Board of Directors representing the shareholders for this corporation.” This week, we’re also introducing a new feature called Bad News Good News, where we bring you the best and worst of the week’s media coverage of Trump and Biden’s cognitive health. “In addition to our mission of analyzing Trump, we have another mission - and that is to monitor how the mainstream press covers this issue,” John told us. “I think it's time to name and shame. And I think it's time to organize our voices and speak back, speak up. We've listened to enough of their bullshit. I think it's time for them to hear from us.” Listen in as John and Harry dissect a major dishonest headline from the Washington Post this week regarding Biden’s mental health and call out the editors for refusing to issue a correction or retraction of the article.  Harry says, “Even if we laugh sometimes, we are judicious in trying to think about what we're hearing, and analyzing the language and how it becomes distorted, which we recognize is from patients we've worked with early onset dementia.” Tune in and be sure to let us know what you think about this fantastic episode in the comments. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices