Tony Schwartz, author of ‘The Art of the Deal’ wrote a very insightful article in the Washington Post. Tony describes his lengthy time with Trump:
Early on, I recognized that Trump’s sense of self-worth is forever at risk. When he feels aggrieved, he reacts impulsively and defensively, constructing a self-justifying story that doesn’t depend on facts and always directs the blame to others.
Tony also describes how deals were often massive failures, but Trump instructed him to describe them as huge successes.
A key part of that story is that facts are whatever Trump deems them to be on any given day. When he is challenged, he instinctively doubles down — even when what he has just said is demonstrably false. I saw that countless times, whether it was as trivial as exaggerating the number of floors at Trump Tower or as consequential as telling me that his casinos were performing well when they were actually going bankrupt.
Perhaps the most disturbing piece of the article is when Tony describes Trump’s access to the nuclear codes as dangerous and frightening. This, from a guy who probably knows Trump better than Trump knows himself.
Describing more recent events, Tony explains how his staff would be ineffectual at restraining Trump as he continues a downward spiral.
Over the past week, in the face of criticism from nearly every quarter, Trump’s distrust has almost palpably mushroomed. No importuning by his advisers would stand a chance of constraining him when he feels this deeply triggered. The more he feels at the mercy of forces he cannot control — and he is surely feeling that now — the more resentful, desperate and impulsive he becomes.
Psychologically-speaking, 45 is a grave danger to the entire world. He’s a person that feels no remorse, and in the heat-of-the-moment (often), doesn’t care about consequences. His removal from office needs to come sooner than later.