46. Narcissism or Meglomania?

I was familiar with the terms ”narcissism” and “meglomania” but didn’t know their exact psychiatric meanings. The former has often been used to describe Donald Trump, but I considered “meglomania” as an excessive desire for power, which seems to fit him also so I researched the difference and similarity. 

Narcissism is described as an actual psychiatric diagnosis denoted as NPD, Narcissistic Personality Disorder. It includes 1 an excessive need for admiration 2 a strong sense of entitlement 3 lack of empathy and 4 preoccupation with self image. 

Meglomania is described as traits that narcissists often exhibit: 1 Grandiose fantasies of power 2 exaggerated belief in one’s own importance or omnipotence. 3 obsession with dominance or control. 

Many people exhibit such traits to moderate degrees which can be described within normalcy. It only becomes pathological when people exhibit a high or exaggerated level of these traits. 

The most obvious pathological trait I find in Trump is the Narcissism 1 element – an exaggerated need for admiration. Being president of the US holds a status unequaled in the world. No previous presidents have exhibited constant self-praise and boastfulness because being president itself means great attention and esteem. It is unthinkable that George Bush, jr or sr, or Barack Obama would say they had the most successful presidency in history, or “I have done more than…” or that the turnout in El Paso was so great that the fire dept allowed 2000 more to attend than the limit (untrue) or that the head of the Boy Scouts said my speech was the greatest ever delivered to them (untrue). This behavior is incontrovertably pathological. 

All the other elements of narcissism listed apply to certain extents, especially pre-occupation with self image. Witness his life-sized staue of himself with fist raised and 2 secret service men shielding him, recalling his assassination attempt, which now inhabits the crowded oval office. And the plan to circumvent the federal law which says no coins may be minted with the likeness of a living person. Confirmed by the US Treasury, Trump plans to have a silver dollar minted with his image on BOTH sides in 2026.

With regard to meglomania, the 3rd catagory is most descriptive of Trump’s behavior as president – obsession with dominance or control. Canada as the 51st state; obtaining Greenland – “we’re going to get it, one way or another”; “retaking” Panama because Carter gave it away. (It never belonged, was only leased to the US). Instructing other nations how terribly the US could annihilate their societies militarily; dismissing and belittling respected opposition members, federal prosecuters and judges as weakling, loser, demented, stupid, low IQ. Again it woud be unthinkable that any other former president would so describe their political opponents.

So it appears that the two words Narcissist and Meglomania have overlapping meanings. But considering all the factors, it seems the people who have evaluated Donald Trump and have diagnosed him as being psychiatrically patholgical – in layman’s terms, mentally ill – have quite a bit of solid evidence.