How to Get Under a Strongman’s Skin, with George Conway
4Digest
This podcast delves into the psychological approach to understanding Donald Trump, focusing on his narcissistic personality disorder. George Conway, a long-time Trump critic, discusses how understanding Trump's vulnerabilities can be used to effectively challenge him politically. The conversation then shifts to the implications of Trump's triggered state following the debate, exploring whether this approach of "triggering" Trump is effective politically and whether it will become a permanent feature of American politics. The panelists discuss the shift in political strategy from the "when they go low, we go high" approach to a more aggressive, "go for the jugular" approach, exemplified by Kamala Harris's debate performance. The conversation explores the historical use of humor as a tool to undermine strongmen, drawing parallels between Trump and figures like Slobodan Milosevic and Muammar Gaddafi. The panelists discuss the current state of the election, acknowledging its closeness and the potential for unexpected developments. They also highlight signs of internal dissent within the Trump campaign.
Outlines
Understanding Trump's Psychology: A Weapon Against Authoritarianism
This episode explores the psychological approach to understanding Donald Trump, particularly his narcissistic personality disorder. George Conway, a long-time Trump critic, discusses how understanding Trump's vulnerabilities can be used to effectively challenge him politically.
Triggering Trump: A New Era of Political Warfare?
The conversation shifts to the implications of Trump's triggered state following the debate. The panelists discuss whether this approach of "triggering" Trump is effective politically and whether it will become a permanent feature of American politics.
From High Ground to the Jugular: The Evolution of Political Strategy
The panelists discuss the shift in political strategy from the "when they go low, we go high" approach to a more aggressive, "go for the jugular" approach, exemplified by Kamala Harris's debate performance.
The Power of Humor Against Strongmen: A Historical Perspective
The conversation explores the historical use of humor as a tool to undermine strongmen, drawing parallels between Trump and figures like Slobodan Milosevic and Muammar Gaddafi.
The Election's Uncertain Future: A Vibe Check
The panelists discuss the current state of the election, acknowledging its closeness and the potential for unexpected developments. They also highlight signs of internal dissent within the Trump campaign.
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Keywords
Narcissistic Personality Disorder
A mental health condition characterized by an inflated sense of self-importance, a need for admiration, and a lack of empathy. Individuals with NPD often have difficulty handling criticism and may engage in manipulative behaviors.
Triggering
A psychological term referring to the activation of a traumatic memory or emotional response. In the context of politics, "triggering" can be used to exploit an opponent's vulnerabilities and provoke a negative reaction.
Authoritarian Narcissism
A combination of narcissistic personality traits and authoritarian tendencies. Individuals with authoritarian narcissism often seek power and control, exhibit a lack of empathy, and may engage in aggressive or manipulative behaviors.
Psychological Warfare
The use of psychological techniques to influence or manipulate an opponent's behavior or decision-making. This can involve exploiting vulnerabilities, spreading misinformation, or creating fear or anxiety.
Decompensation
A psychological term referring to a decline in mental functioning, often associated with stress or trauma. In the context of narcissism, decompensation can manifest as increased aggression, paranoia, or instability.
Political Strategy
The methods and tactics used by political actors to achieve their goals. This can include campaign strategies, policy positions, and communication strategies.
Humor in Politics
The use of humor as a tool in political discourse. This can be used to connect with voters, undermine opponents, or highlight important issues.
Election Analysis
The examination of the factors influencing an election, including candidate performance, voter demographics, and political trends.
Q&A
How can understanding Donald Trump's psychological vulnerabilities be used to effectively challenge him politically?
George Conway argues that understanding Trump's narcissistic personality disorder is key to effectively challenging him. By poking at his insecurities and confronting him with the truth about himself, one can trigger a negative reaction and undermine his confidence.
Will the strategy of "triggering" political opponents become a permanent feature of American politics?
The panelists debate whether this approach will become a permanent fixture. While they acknowledge the effectiveness of this strategy against Trump, they express concern about the potential for it to lead to a more divisive and less civil political environment.
How does Kamala Harris's approach to Donald Trump differ from Joe Biden's?
Harris adopted a more aggressive and confrontational approach, directly challenging Trump's vulnerabilities and using humor to undermine his authority. Biden, on the other hand, took a more traditional approach, focusing on policy and presenting Trump as a grave national security threat.
What are some historical examples of humor being used effectively against strongmen?
The panelists cite examples like the pro-democracy movement in Serbia using a barrel with Milosevic's picture on it and the New York Post's nickname for Gaddafi as evidence of humor's power to undermine authoritarian figures.
What are the implications of the election being as close as it is?
The panelists express concern about the closeness of the race, highlighting the potential for unexpected developments and the need for continued vigilance. They also emphasize the importance of separating the visceral glee of watching Trump unravel from the reality of the election's tight outcome.
Show Notes
The Washington Roundtable is joined by George Conway, co-founder of the Lincoln Project and creator of the Anti-Psychopath Political Action Committee, both of which specialize in making custom attack ads designed to aggravate Donald Trump. They discuss Vice-President Kamala Harris’s debate performance and how her campaign might continue to draw out Trump’s worst instincts by psychologically triggering him. “When we first started running ads, he went on Truth Social and specifically attacked me and Fox News for putting my ads on his TV,” Conway says. “The thing got into his head. . . . He would never have talked about himself possibly having a ‘personality defect’ if it weren’t for what we had said.”
This week’s reading:
- “Donald Trump Had a Really, Really Bad Debate,” by Susan B. Glasser
- “The Presidential Campaign, After Philadelphia,” by Benjamin Wallace-Wells
- “Kamala Harris Makes Her Case Beyond Big Cities,” by Emily Witt
- “Donald Trump’s New ‘Voodoo Economics,’ ” by John Cassidy
Tune in wherever you get your podcasts.
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