Do folks here think that Donald Trump possesses the following traits?
Having an exaggerated sense of self-importance
Expecting to be recognized as superior even without achievements that warrant it
Exaggerating his achievements and talents
Being preoccupied with fantasies about success, power, brilliance, beauty or the perfect mate
Believing that he is superior and can only be understood by or associate with equally special people
Requiring constant admiration
Having a sense of entitlement
Expecting special favors and unquestioning compliance with his expectations
Taking advantage of others to get what he wants
Having an inability or unwillingness to recognize the needs and feelings of others
Being envious of others and believing others envy him
Behaving in an arrogant or haughty manner
Personally, I think he’s 12/12 on these. In fact, these points pretty much describe Trump to a Tee, in my opinion. But then I don’t think he necessarily has narcissistic personality disorder, because he is still able to function and be successful in society. He’s just a successful narcissist.
Having a personality disorder doesn’t imply an inability to function. If the person has a sufficiently-effective support system, then he can get along (and being born to wealth is a pretty-good support system).
Allow me to play the devil’s advocate. I think the narcissist tendencies the OP describes are only signs of a psychological issue if they’re unrelated to reality. And the reality is that Donald Trump has accomplished a lot in his life. He’s generally been successful in business (although he may fudge the details) and he’s currently got a good shot at being elected President. At some point you have to say that a high sense of self-importance and feelings of superiority are not exaggerated - they’re just a realistic appraisal of your place in the world. I’m sure people like Warren Buffett and Hillary Clinton have high senses of self-importance and feelings of superiority as well.
I would believe all of that if I had not heard Trump speak on the campaign trail. His narcissistic tendencies are unrelated to reality. Like Carson, he is expert in one or two fields but abysmally ignorant and Dunning-Krugered about everything else. He cannot admit he is wrong no matter how often it happens. He blows up at any criticism – what did he think he was getting into when he announced?! Did he think he’d be the first presidential candidate since Washington whom nobody would criticize?!
Buffett seems pretty well-grounded from what he’s written. I don’t have as much of a sample of Hillary’s writing. But to compare either of them to the narcissist blowhard isn’t even close to reality.
Trump has had it easy all his life. Combine that with a bullying attitude and an absolute lack of scruples and it’s not overly surprising that he’s been a success; neither is it admirable, though. The only things Trump has ever done have been for his own benefit. You can’t say that about Buffett or Hillary.
What you’re describing are character flaws. But they’re not narcissism.
Narcissism is about being self-centered and always believing you’re the most important person in the room. And let’s face facts; Trump probably has been the most important person in most of the rooms he’s been in during his life. And being self-centered isn’t delusional when everyone else is as interested in you as you are.
Trump’s problem is that he doesn’t realize he’s jumped to a whole new level. He’s like the cliche of the football player who’s always been the star player in high school and college and thinks he’ll be the same in the NFL. But all the players in the NFL were stars in high school and college. The people who succeed in the NFL are the ones who can adjust to suddenly being surrounded by players at their level for the first time.
Trump hasn’t figured this out. Presidential politics is the equivalent of joining the NFL. Only extraordinary people reach this level. Trump is still acting like he can dominate the room and hasn’t realized that he’s now at a level where everyone is highly accomplished. Trump’s not used to competing with people at his level and he’s showing the strains.
