Donald Trump's Blatant Unfitness — Letters that should have been in the new york times

9.29.24

To the editor:

On September 27th, the National Press Club hosted a conference focused on Donald Trump's dangerousness and lack of fitness to serve as commander-in-chief. Policy makers, lawyers, and mental health experts argued incontrovertibly that Donald Trump is unfit. He displays poor judgment, impulsivity, extreme self-centeredness, a vulnerability to being manipulated and an attraction to autocrats. He also blatantly shows waning cognitive capacities. In a sane world, all of this would be disqualifying.

At the same time, Trump venomously attacks his opponent, Kamala Harris, by calling her 'mentally disabled' and 'mentally unfit' (9.29.24, Trump draws criticism from Republicans for his demeaning insults to Harris). By projecting onto her the reality of his circumstance, Trump is distorting reality for public consumption and manipulation. In fact, I would argue Trump is trying to weaponize reality for personal gain.

I urge the public to listen to experts who, coming from an apolitical perspective, are addressing an existential threat to our democracy and the world. These are not normal times. We should be voting, not based on policy issues (as is typically the case), but on a recognition of what is at stake in this election.

Respectfully submitted

Larry S. Sandberg

205 E 78 ST

NY NY 10075

917-846-8074

The writer is Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Weill Cornell Medical Center and contributing author to just released 'The More Dangerous Case of Donald Trump'.