Shrinking Trump
Shrinking Trump

Shrinking Trump

Really American Media

Overview
Episodes

Details

Psychologists John Gartner, Harry Segal, and their expert guests, conduct weekly sessions analyzing the psyche of Donald Trump, documenting his cognitive decline and plumbing the depths of his malignant narcissism. Dr. Gartner is a former part-time assistant professor of psychiatry at Johns Hopkins University Medical School and the founder of Duty To Warn, an association of mental health professionals warning about Trump and Trump-ism. Dr. Segal is a senior lecturer in psychology at Cornell University.

Recent Episodes

Trump's Police State is Here
APR 4, 2025
Trump's Police State is Here
In this all new, 46th episode of Shrinking Trump, Dr. John Gartner and Dr. Harry Segel take listeners on a tour of the unsettling psychological and political landscape of Donald Trump’s second term. Our guest is Georgia-based political strategist and pundit Fred Hicks, who believes Democrats are due for a political comeback.  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 experts in psychology, our hosts unravel how Trump’s malignant narcissism and cognitive decline are reshaping America into a looming police state. His erratic behavior is not just chaotic—but catastrophic. We’ll start by analyzing Trump’s self-proclaimed “Freedom Day,” a grandiose spectacle designed to mask the destructive reality of his trade war and horrific immigration policies. Trump hails it as the most significant day in American history, which our hosts expose as a clear symptom of his severe narcissistic personality disorder.  Dr. Gartner and Dr. Segal recognize the grim reality of Trump’s draconian and lawless immigration policies, drawing chilling historical parallels to oppressive states where citizens disappear without a trace. The episode also points out some of highlights from the resistance, such as Princeton's courageous stand against federal bullying. The hosts commend the university’s president for his unwavering defense of academic freedom, summoning a rallying cry for other institutions to do the same. Our guest Fred Hicks sees this and other signs as brilliant glimmers of hope, like recent special elections results in Florida and Wisconsin that hint at a democratic resurgence. Hicks suggests that an economic downturn could spur massive public backlash and even reverse the tide in favor of democratic ideals.  Dr. Segel and Dr. Gartner explore the data behind this optimism and point to signs that change may be right on the horizon. And we’ll wrap things up with a call for our listeners to remain vigilant and active in the fight against Trump. May this episode serve as a rallying cry for everyone committed to preserving our democracy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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129 MIN
How the one-trick pony president is destroying democracy
MAR 28, 2025
How the one-trick pony president is destroying democracy
In this all-new, 45th episode of our show, Psychologists John Gartner and Harry Segal interpret Trump’s devastating sociopathic playbook before discussing it all with Joe Walsh–former congressman, warrior for democracy, and host of the daily Social Contract podcast. 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 reflect on the exhausting state of the nation, still just weeks into Trump’s second term, and explore how his psychological disorders continue to jeopardize the nation. And we’ll examine Trump's reliance on mafia-like tactics, with extortion being his go-to, to manipulate everyone around him and project his power at any cost. As psychologists with deep expertise in personality disorders, our hosts warn of the dire consequences of Trump’s severe narcissistic and psychopathic tendencies—now more apparent than ever. Throughout the session, the Doctors shed light on Trump's impulsivity and cognitive issues that make him particularly susceptible to influences from nefarious figures such as Vladimir Putin. And we’ll meticulously outline how Trump’s unpredictability undermines international alliances and destabilizes the global order. As always, our hosts wrap things up by urging listeners to resist complacency and remain vigilant during this rising tide of authoritarianism. Both Gartner and Segal ask us to stand together in a unified front against Trump. It's a call to arms, reminding everyone to stay informed and engaged in our fight for democracy. Be sure to join us again next time for another awesome episode, when we continue our mission of Shrinking Trump. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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130 MIN
Shrinking The Global Repercussions Of The Trump-Musk Mayhem
FEB 28, 2025
Shrinking The Global Repercussions Of The Trump-Musk Mayhem
In this intense episode of Shrinking Trump, Dr. John Gartner, and Dr. Harry Siegel, unravel the layers of psychological complexities and political uncertainties stemming from the chaotic shenanigans of Donald Trump and Elon Musk.  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/ Our hosts reflect on the week's events, exploring how Trump and Musk’s hypomania and severe narcissism creates a pathological atmosphere, lacking any real compassion. Through the lens of psychology, Dr. Siegal, and Dr. Gardner, consider Trump's apparent cognitive decline and personality disorder that plays into his constant lying and manipulation.  Dr. Siegel emphasizes the feeling of betrayal experienced by long-standing allies, pointing out how Trump's erratic geopolitical engagements are sidestepping crucial, longstanding diplomatic protocols. And Dr. Gardner examines some of federal appointments that have dangerously concentrated executive power in the hands of conspiracy theorists and authoritarians.  The hosts also analyze recent town hall meetings across the country, where constituents from both sides of the political spectrum have shown a growing anger with Trump’s mayhem and Musk's shadowy involvement in the federal government. This public sentiment, Dr. Gartner asserts, could absolutely sway Trump's approval ratings, which are currently in a rapid decline across multiple polls. We’ll take a look at the psychology of resilience, and discuss how mounting resistance, seen at these town halls and in protests all over America, offers a critical reminder of the power of persistence in the struggle for democracy. As always, we urge our listeners to remain vigilant and informed, to combat misinformation and stand up to tyranny. So be sure to join us next week as Dr. Gartner, and Dr. Siegel, continue their mission of Shrinking Trump.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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104 MIN