Deep State Narcissists: Dangers Posed by Government Leaders in the Trump Era

Much is being written and said about America’s Deep State. According to Dr. Lyle Rapacki, an intelligence analyst and security consultant, Deep State is actually a “state within a state” in which a political situation has allowed an internal organization such as the military and civilian authorities (intelligence agencies, police, administrative agencies and branches of government bureaucracy), who do not respond to the civilian political leadership that was elected to office.

More and more Americans are discovering after months and months of unprecedented vitriol and anger displayed towards a U.S. President, Donald Trump, that the country is being railroaded by people who are no longer in power (former Presidents, Secretaries of State, Defense Secretaries) as well as people who are part of the Inside the Beltway Bureaucracy.

It should be noted that an increasing number of criminologists believe the so-called Deep State is an oasis for narcissists who believe they know what’s best for the nation and the world. They are assisted in their endeavors by political fellow-travelers in the news and entertainment industries, which are populated with useful idiots or malignant narcissists.

Simply put, Narcissism is the tendency to think very highly of yourself and to have little or no regard for others. A narcissist is selfish, vain, and a glutton for attention. But there’s a range. Just because you have some of the traits doesn’t mean you’re mentally unhealthy.

Experts might say it’s when those traits start to hurt your relationships and distort your sense of self that extreme narcissism can cross over to a mental illness called narcissistic personality disorder. Your life revolves around your need for approval. You don’t understand or care about other people’s feelings. You’re convinced you’re special, and you need others to acknowledge it.

The word narcissism comes from a mythical Greek youth who couldn’t pull himself away from his own reflection. Narcissus was beautiful. Narcissists, on the other hand, don’t have to be beautiful to believe they are. They’re convinced that they’re superior, even when it’s not the reality.

Praise can be considered the mother’s milk for the narcissistic man or woman. That is what narcissists thrive on. Their appetite for it is unlimited which is why so many of these people are found in elected office and in show business . And it’s also a one-way street: going in only their direction.  And the if fawning attention, flattery and compliments stop they may display verbal or physical hostility and/or aggressive.

The emotional feelings of other people — even those they profess to love — aren’t within the emotional realm of narcissistic mentality. They rarely display any empathy, and they view others as a stepping stone to achieve their desires. Or worse: they see others as obstacles in their way that must be removed with haste, even if it means destroying reputations, livelihoods and even existences.

“A narcissist’s puffed-up self-image often masks a fear that they don’t measure up. When someone punctures their ego or insults them, narcissists can lash out. They demean, belittle, and intimidate. Many studies have linked narcissism with higher levels of aggression and violence,” said psychiatrist and researcher Smitha Bhandri, M.D.

Dr. Bhandri cautions those who believe they are in a romantic relationship with a narcissist. “You might not see the red flags at first. Narcissists are often charming and popular. But over time, they may become cold, manipulative, and cruel. And they are often unfaithful, always on the lookout for a more impressive or better-looking partner.”

Forensic psychologist Morton Lampstein believes that Narcissists aren’t enthusiastic about seeking professional help. Some experts say talk therapy may help narcissists better understand how their behavior affects others. Some therapists may try more effective treatments meant for conditions with similar traits, like borderline personality disorder.

“Imagine a world completely run by such people. A world run by narcissists who are protected by other narcissists. It might prove to dwarf the horrors contained in George Orwell’s 1984,” said Dr. Lampstein.