Earlier this year I coined the term “Obsessive Trump Disorder” (OTD) to describe the fervent and unyielding fixation that some individuals, particularly ardent Trump supporters, exhibit toward the former president. This term cleverly reframes the narrative, highlighting the obsessive behaviors that often go unnoticed or unexamined in political discourse. Let’s delve deeper into this phenomenon and its implications.
Understanding Obsessive Trump Disorder
OTD encapsulates the behaviors and attitudes of individuals who exhibit a near-irrational devotion to Donald Trump. Unlike “Trump Derangement Syndrome” (TDS), which critics use to label detractors as excessively critical, OTD shifts the focus to the intense, almost cult-like loyalty among Trump’s followers. This disorder manifests in several key ways:
1. Unwavering Allegiance
Supporters with OTD often demonstrate blind loyalty, defending Trump regardless of his actions or controversies. This loyalty persists even when policies or rhetoric contradict their personal or community interests. For instance:
• Farmers harmed by trade wars still vocally supported Trump in rural regions, prioritizing loyalty over economic consequences.
• Evangel
As the writer of this piece, I coined the term “Obsessive Trump Disorder” (OTD) to describe the extreme fixation that many of Donald Trump’s supporters have developed toward him. It’s a counterpoint to the overused and often dismissive “Trump Derangement Syndrome” (TDS) label, which unfairly characterizes critics of Trump as irrational. OTD shifts the lens to examine the unwavering loyalty and sometimes irrational devotion that defines Trump’s core base. Let’s explore this phenomenon in depth.
What Is Obsessive Trump Disorder?
Obsessive Trump Disorder is not merely about support for a political leader; it’s an intense, all-consuming allegiance that borders on idolatry. OTD isn’t just political—it’s psychological. It involves a level of fixation that goes beyond policy alignment or ideological agreement, manifesting instead as a near-religious fervor that disregards logic, evidence, or self-interest.
Key Symptoms of OTD
1. Blind Devotion
• People with OTD often dismiss any criticism of Trump as fake news or part of a broader conspiracy against him. Whether it’s credible allegations, court rulings, or public missteps, nothing seems to shake their belief in his infallibility.
2. Adoption of Conspiracy Theories
• From QAnon to the “stolen election” narrative, those afflicted with OTD are quick to latch onto unfounded claims, often amplifying them without question. These theories provide an emotional buffer against cognitive dissonance when facts contradict their worldview.
3. Personality Cult Dynamics
• OTD transforms Trump from a political figure into a symbol—a savior figure who is seen as battling forces of evil on behalf of his followers. This dynamic resembles the loyalty seen in authoritarian regimes, where the leader’s word is taken as gospel.
4. Vilification of Dissenters
• Critics, even within the Republican Party, are labeled as “RINOs” (Republicans In Name Only) or traitors. The loyalty test becomes so extreme that questioning Trump is seen as a betrayal of the movement.
Examples of OTD in Action
• In North Carolina: Margo, a local political figure who has risen to prominence by championing Trump, embodies many of these traits. Her public statements often revolve around defending Trump at all costs, even when it means contradicting her own stated values. Her behavior raises questions about whether this kind of obsessive loyalty is driven by strategy or an internalized need to align with Trump’s persona.
• On Social Media: Platforms like Truth Social and Twitter (now X) are rife with examples of OTD. Every Trump post generates thousands of replies that treat his words as prophetic, often ignoring their lack of factual basis.
The Implications of OTD
OTD is more than just a political curiosity—it has real-world consequences. It fuels division, spreads misinformation, and creates an environment where dialogue and compromise are impossible. Democracy depends on accountability, yet OTD erodes this principle by making Trump’s actions immune to scrutiny among his base.
Why We Must Address OTD
It’s time to stop gaslighting Democrats with accusations of TDS and instead examine the obsessive behaviors within Trump’s most ardent supporters. Obsessive Trump Disorder is a societal issue that underscores the dangers of personality cults in politics. Recognizing and addressing it is crucial if we want to move beyond the divisiveness of the Trump era and rebuild a political culture rooted in reason, accountability, and respect.
The term “Obsessive Trump Disorder” is a wake-up call—a challenge to examine the psychological underpinnings of this phenomenon and the damage it causes. It’s not just about Trump; it’s about how we, as a society, approach leadership, loyalty, and truth.
