Donald Trump's Destructive Narcissism in Plain Sight

4.9.25

To the editor:

Psychoanalysts are familiar with a certain personality type where grandiosity, rather then associated with creative potential, is linked with the power to be destructive.  The psychological lens is akin to kill or be killed; hurt or be hurt, attack or be attacked.  Strength requires inflicting pain; the alternative is weakness.  At an extreme, there are no allies as everyone is against you.  Donald Trump, in imposing massive tariffs, attacks our allies who, by defending themselves, are then perceived as the aggressors.  This scenario will not end well unless Republicans in Congress decide to fulfill their constitutional obligations rather than assume the posture of passive bystanders.

Respectfully

Larry S Sandberg

205 E 78 ST

NY NY 10075

[The Azores, Portugal]

Congress's Bystander Complicity

4.9.25

To the editor:

Republican members of Congress are abdicating their constitutional responsibility to represent their constituents interests by functioning as a legitimate branch of the federal government.  They are  more like bystanders who witness a wrongdoing but choose to turn a blind eye.  In so doing, they become accomplices in undoing the world order causing immeasurable pain and suffering at home and across the globe. Donald Trump is an unapologetic bully, albeit with a lot of power, who needs to be dealt with forcefully rather than submissively.

Respectfully,

Larry S. Sandberg

205 E 78 ST

NY NY 10075

[The Azores, Portugal]

Donald Trump's Paranoid Vision

4.4.25

To the editor:

Donald Trump is dangerous - a weak man with a lot of power. His decision making - whether it involves hitting our allies with exorbitant tariffs or firing competent government officials - is not governed by sophisticated or nuanced assessments of complex issues.  Rather, his vision of reality is a paranoid one where threat (real and imagined) looms large and so he seeks to dismantle the very structures that otherwise constrain him.  He is not going to change. The Republicans in Congress are functioning more as passive bystanders than an independent branch of government.  This group dynamic, borne of fear of retribution, must be recognized, confronted, and overcome if our country is to be saved. It is long overdue for the bystanders in Congress to stage an intervention and fulfill their constitutional responsibilities.

Respectfully,

Larry S. Sandberg

205 E 78 ST

NY NY 10075

917-846-8074

Judge Luttig's Wishful Thinking

March 23, 2025

To the editor:

Judge Luttig argues that if President Trump continues his attacks on the justice system he will both throw this country into a deepening constitutional crisis and he will be 'hobbled before ... his honeymoon is over' and his legacy tarnished (It's Trump vs. the Courts, and It Won't End Well for Trump').  What if the latter is nothing more than wishful thinking? If the Justice Department abdicates its responsibilities (as it appears more than willing to do) and Republicans in Congress do the same, what will stop Trump  from proving that his grandiose assertion that he is above the law is, actually, true? 

Respectfully

Larry S Sandberg

Donald Trump's Unbridled Sadism Towards Higher Education

March 8, 2025

To the editor:

The Trump administration is like a bull in a china shop.  Putting aside the questionable criticism that Columbia University has a problem in managing anti-Semitism, how will canceling $400 million in federal funds impact the community?  The students are going to suffer.  Young scientists, from all backgrounds, are going to suffer. This action, as is the case with many other actions by this administration, is meant to inflict pain and suffering not to find a solution.

Respectfully

Larry S Sandberg MD

205 E 78 ST

NY NY 10075

Screaming Into The Void ...

3.1.25

To the editor:

Plain and simple:  President Trump is treating Russia as an ally and Ukraine as the enemy.  And Canada.  And Mexico.  And Europe.  This is insane and dangerous.  He is, truly, the 'enemy within.'  The complicity of the Republican leadership is beyond reprehensible. What will it take for saner minds to prevail?

Respectfully,

Larry S Sandberg

205 E 78 ST 

NY NY 10075

Donald Trump's Unconscionable Pardons of January 6th Criminals

1.20.25

To the editor:

To all those pundits who urged a 'wait and see' attitude about Donald Trump's return to the office of the presidency, we have seen enough (1.20.25 Trump pardons nearly all of the 1600 Jan. 6 defendants).  In a single act, pardoning nearly all of the 1600 Jan. 6 defendants, he has effectively denigrated the lives of those who died defending the Capital, elevated those who engaged in criminal behavior, attacked the rule of law which is the backbone of this country, and exposed, for the umpteenth time, his autocratic ambitions.

There is no question that Donald Trump will go down in the history books, but not for making American great again. Those complicit with his machinations will also make history in ways that will be ihard to undo.

Respectfully,

Larry S Sandberg

205 E 78 ST

NY NY 10075

917-846-8074

Loneliness and Social Media: A Mixed Bag

1.3.25

To the editor:

While Jessica Grose questions the legitimacy and helpfulness of the surgeon general's labeling loneliness an epidemic in 2023, she mentions only in passing the complex role of the internet and social media (Embracing the joys of solitude, 1.3.25).  Social media not only keeps 'aloneness' at bay, as she states.  For some it also serves to keep loneliness at bay as communities can be created in the virtual world that are more difficult to cultivate in real life. This may be particularly the case for marginalized folks in more isolated regions.  At the same time, the  omnipresence of social media can stir up feelings of loneliness because the virtual landscape can be addictive, superficial, and even cruel.  Misogyny, xenophobia, homophobia, and pornography are rampant and expose young people to attitudes that influence how they relate to people in their day to day.

It is important to keep in mind that social media platforms are for profit businesses.  They will always be with us.  Digital media literacy should be taught early and often;  social media should complement not substitute for relationships in the flesh.

Respectfully

Larry S Sandberg

Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry

Weill Cornell Medical Center

Donald Trump: Autocrat and Wrecking Ball

11.15.24

To the editor:

It is ironic that David Brooks, in his postmortem of the current election cycle, argues that many of us live with 'broken mental models' and 'false assumptions' (11.15.24, Why we got it so wrong).  Donald Trump's success has been fueled by lies and blatant misinformation utilizing mental models out of an autocrat's playbook.

Trump sold himself as a savior, but his early nominations to his cabinet suggest he's a wrecking ball. Barely a week into his election, many who supported him are already expressing buyer's remorse as they contemplate the reality of Trump implementing his policies.

Respectfully,

Larry S Sandberg

205 E 78 ST

NY NY 10075

917-846-8074

David Brooks: A Confused Political Pundit

7.26.24

To the editor:

As a psychiatrist and psychoanalyst, I am pleased to reassure David Brooks that he need not worry Democrats are suffering from a 'mass hypnotic delusion' in their support of Kamala Harris (NYT, 7.26.24 The Kamala Harris Report Card).  Whatever reservations exist about her strengths and weaknesses as a candidate, it is precisely because the reality of the current moment demands rapid resolution and mobilization that there has been an outpouring of support for a candidate who is stronger than Biden and better than Trump.

I look forward to David Brooks's upcoming report card on Donald Trump and his acknowledgement, all kidding aside, that many of his supporters are thoroughly convinced of the false belief that the 2020 election was stolen: i.e., exhibit a mass delusion.

Sincerely,

Larry S. Sandberg

205 E 78 ST 2A

NY NY 10075

917-846-8074

Botox and the Patriarch

1.13.24

To the editor:

While women are, by far and away, the major consumers of the multi-billion dollar beauty and anti-aging industry, it is  the influences of a patriarchal society and the male gaze that creates the market.  Women, and increasingly young girls, are expected to gratify a man's fantasy of physical perfection and, to wit, to ease their anxieties about getting old.  When a 15-year-old girl feels she has to keep up with the 'beauty standard ... to stay young,' she is describing a culturally internalized and impossible standard that applies to girls and women, not boys and men.  Jessica Grose (1.13.24 Botox destroyed what I like about my face) does her readers  a great service by describing her struggle to embrace who she is rather than lose herself amidst these cultural pressures.

Respectfully

Larry S Sandberg

205 E 78 ST

NY NY 10075

917-846-8074

Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry

Weill Cornell Medical College

Trump's Appeal to Authoritarianism

12.18.23

To the editor:

Matthew Schmitz argues that Donald Trump's appeal is unrelated to his authoritarian proclivities; he suggests his moderation and pragmatism are primarily at play  (12.18.23, The Secret of Trump’s Appeal Isn’t Authoritarianism).  This is wishful thinking rather than a reflection of reality.  An August poll by CNN-SSRS showed that over 70% of Republicans do not believe President Biden won the 2020 election fairly; 37% of Independents likewise question the legitimacy of the 2020 election.  This is Trump's pragmatism at play; convince the voters they have been disenfranchised to get their support.  Sowing dissension, mistrust, paranoia, and hate are also  perversely pragmatic and part of his authoritarian playbook.

Is Trump moderate?  As the saying goes, a stopped clock is right twice a day.  Is overturning Roe v Wade moderate?  Or his engagement of Vladimir Putin?  Or adding almost eight trillion dollars to the national debt?  I believe Donald Trump's decision-making is best understood through a self-serving lens  rather than than of a public servant. This makes him an erratic leader ... unpredictable and dangerous.

Ultimately, in addition to calling out authoritarianism for what it is, the underlying conditions for its appeal must be addressed.  In particular, socioeconomic hardship and growing income disparity in this country have created a fertile environment for authoritarianism. 

Respectfully

Larry S Sandberg

Fighting for Gun Reform

10.28.23

To the editor:

Re. Stephen King on Mass Shootings: We're Out of Things to Say (nytimes.com; 10/27/23):

Stephen King laments the unending cycle of violence in our gun addicted, gun loving culture. He sees no way forward in the current political environment.  However, according to the Pew Center, the majority of Americans believe it is too easy to legally obtain a gun and support stricter gun laws.  Our politicians are out of step with the majority of Americans.

We would do well to have a litmus test for candidates for elected office their commitment to gun reform and supporting legislation to make that happen.  Pro-life constituents succeeded in catalyzing massive legislative and judicial changes with respect to abortion; while I abhor the outcome of these efforts, perhaps these conservative, largely Republican individuals can apply the same pro-life pressure in supporting candidates willing to break with the NRA and make real their commitment to life whereby the right to life takes precedence over the right to bear arms.

Larry S. Sandberg

Obesity and Shame

9.9.23

To the editor:

Aaron Carroll highlights the pernicious role of shame for many people suffering from depression and/or obesity (9.9.23, What obesity drugs and antidepressants have in common).  For many individuals the presence of medication to treat these conditions ‘medicalizes’ them and in so doing decreases both stigma and shame. They can consider that they are stricken by a condition rather than defined by it. When benevolence and compassion are cultivated (rather than harsh judgement), people can take an increasingly active role in their care because they feel deserving of relief.  As shame reflects, at least in part, the internalization of societal values, we all benefit from doing what we can to show kindness to those suffering with these conditions. 

Respectfully submitted,

Larry S. Sandberg

Racism Parading As Anti-Wokeness

7.22.23

To the editor:


Ron DeSantis is a living caricature of the anti-wokeness campaign he champions (7.21.23 DeSantis faces swell of criticism over Florida’s new standards for Black history). He appropriates a term that has its origins in Black America’s fight against racism (essentially to be aware). He perverts its meaning as something threatening, offers an antidote to this newly defined danger and portrays himself as the protector or savior of those at risk. Case in point: middle schoolers should learn ‘slaves developed skills which … could be applied for their personal benefit.’ Does this mean it was not so bad to be enslaved? Or a slave owner? It should be kept in mind that the skills slaves developed (beyond survival) were for the commercial benefit of the slave owners and not acts of benevolence.

As a psychoanalyst, I think it is racist behavior (whether conscious or not) to distort the meaning of ‘wokeness’ and to then use this new meaning in an effort to whitewash our history. However imperfectly, Germany in relation to the Holocaust and South Africa in relation to apartheid have made efforts to confront the dark and damaging aspects of their histories. Our country as a whole would benefit from a similar effort.

Respectfully
Larry S Sandberg

Fox (Faux)News: Too Little, Too Late

4.24.23

To the editor:

There are bad business decisions - like lying to your audience to maintain market share - and good business decisions - like firing an employee whose lies cost your company hundreds of millions of dollars (Tucker Carlson Is Leaving Fox, 4.24.23).  I hope this marks the beginning and not the end of Fox doing the right thing but I am not holding my breath.  This is an unapologetic, bottom line, financial calculus and not one based on morality or ethics - that ship has sailed as they say.

Respectfully

Larry S Sandberg

Fox News: An Oxymoron

3.12.23

To the editor:

While one can never predict the outcome of a trial, the argument that Fox news was simply reporting Trump's (and his allies) accusations rather than embracing them is patently false (3.12.23 How Fox hopes to win in court after setbacks).  Legitimate news outlets, like the PBS Newshour, reported the news objectively noting the unsubstantiated or baseless nature of the claims being made. Fox News parroted those claims to their audience while taking an objective stance in private where market share was not at risk.  Most disturbing is that Fox news lied to its loyal viewers for personal gain; sacrificing the truth and any journalistic sense of integrity to its listeners. Tucker Carlson's recent spin on the events of January 6th suggest that he and the network are doubling down on what they believe is a winning strategy.  I hope Fox's viewers prove them wrong.

Respectfully,

Larry S. Sandberg

Sorry David Brooks ... Don't Shoot The Messenger

3.10.23

To the editor:

David Brooks shoots the messenger by suggesting that progressives are engaging in 'catastrophizing' - a maladaptive mental activity that interferes with effective problem solving and a healthy sense of agency (3.10.23 The self-destructive effects of progressive sadness).  For progressives, catastrophe abounds: racial injustice, gun violence, loss abortion rights, climate change to name a few. This is a lived reality, and should not be denigrated (however unintentional) tas an anxious state of mind. That many conservatives deem these problems as non-issues, or pay lip service to them, or feel threatened by the needed solutions to these catastrophes can lead to problematic efforts to 'cancel' those individuals who hold opposing views. But that fact in no way diminishes the life threatening catastrophes we face both nationally and globally.

Respectfully,

Larry S. Sandberg

George Santos and the Ethically Challenged Republican Party

1.20.23

To the editor:

I hope that former congressman Peter King is right that the Republican party risks being punished for its shameless mishandling of the fabulist George Santos (1.20.23 Santos won't be able to fake his way through Congress).  There are situations that lack moral ambiguity and this is one of them.  The amorality of Santos is only exceeded by the immorality of a Republican leadership corrupted by power and a desperate need to hold on to a slim majority in order to exercise that power.  George Santos is nothing more than a pawn in the Republican's power play, being used just as he has used others for his personal advancement.  This is not the kind of justice Americans expect from their elected officials.

Sincerely

Larry S Sandbeg

Misplaced Documents: Biden versus Trump

1.20.23

To the editor:

I am much less worried than Jonathan Alter about the political consequences of the discovery that President Biden has mishandled classified documents (1.20.23 Oh Biden, what have you done?) Insofar as the Republicans push a false narrative of equivalency - namely that Biden's misconduct is on a par with Trump's misconduct - attacking Biden is an attack against Trump.  If they argue that the two situations are, in fact, different there is no way that a gaffe prone Joseph Biden is viewed less favorably than a self-serving and self-aggrandizing Donald Trump. The 'worst case scenario' is that Donald Trump's popularity continues to erode and Joe Biden decides not to run for reelection.  This would not only open the way for the next generation of Democratic leaders to come forward; it would also strengthen Biden politically making attacks against him largely inconsequential and highlighting how extremism dominates the current Republican party.

Respectfully

Larry S Sandberg