The Other Side Of Potential

Episode 316: Is Trump a Malignant Narcissist?

Sharon Spano Episode 316

What is a malignant narcissist? And what would America look like if it were run by someone who displays such extreme, grandiose, selfish, and destructive behavior? At such a critical time in our political history, this is a very real possibility with Donald Trump in the presidential running. 

In the last episode of The Other Side of Potential, author, Ph.D. survivor, Jungian analyst, and clinical psychologist Susan Schwarts joined Sharon to share a deeper understanding of narcissism, and today, we delve into specific extreme traits that make up a malignant narcissist; in particular, Donald Trump. While we cannot offer a diagnosis of him, we do analyze some of his behavior that is indicative of such a diagnosis.

Join us for this insightful conversation as Susan breaks down the malignant narcissistic characteristics Trump possesses, the dangers of having a president who lacks empathy, the implications these characteristics will have on US leadership, and so much more! We discuss where this kind of extreme narcissism comes from and how Trump’s behavior has escalated throughout the years. Finally, Susan shares her thoughts on how America can heal from Trump’s influence and what we need to learn from it. You don’t want to miss this one, tune in now!


What you’ll learn about in this episode:

  • The extreme narcissistic traits and characteristics Donald Trump possesses.
  • An explanation of grandiosity and the singularity of narcissism present in Trump. 
  • His lack of empathy and inability to take responsibility and why that’s a narcissistic extreme. 
  • How narcissistic extremes impact leadership and the destructiveness of narcissism. 
  • Susan shares her thoughts on the idea of a false political world and ‘the big lie’.  
  • How extreme childhoods can promote the kind of narcissistic behavior trump displays. 
  • Why Susan believes that Trump’s behavior has escalated in his later years. 
  • What conditions have allowed Trump to become so popular in America.
  • Why Trump’s malignant narcissistic behavior does not allow him to care about this country. 
  • The problems America will face if Trump comes into power again in the next election. 
  • How America’s reputation will be tainted if we elect this person again. 
  • Susan walks us through how American society begins to heal from this situation. 
  • What we need to learn as a nation from Donald Trump’s behavior. 


Transcript: Here

Additional Resources:

Website: https://susanschwartzphd.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanschwartzphd/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susanschwartzphd 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susanschwartzphd/ 


Sharon Spano:

Website: sharonspano.com

Facebook: facebook.com/SharonSpanoPHD

Instagram: instagram.com/drsharonspano/

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sharonspano/

Book: thetimemoneybook.com

Contact: sharon@sharonspano.com

X: x.com/SharonSpano

The Other Side of Potential Podcast: sharonspano.com/podcast/