Results: A Legend in His Own Mind

scouthoward profile photo
scouthoward

07/24/2026

104

5

958

Politics
What does “malignant narcissist” mean? And can such a label that has been used to describe figures such as Adolf Hitler and Joseph Stalin be appropriately applied to Trump or anyone short of a murderous tyrant? Psychology Today is the source for this survey.
1.
1.
The term "malignant narcissism" was coined by psychoanalyst Erich Fromm in 1964. Fromm, a Holocaust survivor, suggested that malignant narcissism is a severe and destructive pathology that can lie at the heart of the inhumane acts exhibited by dictatorial tyrants such as Hitler and Stalin. Do you agree with Erich Fromm?
Yes
52%
500 votes
No
7%
63 votes
Undecided
17%
164 votes
Not Applicable
24%
231 votes
2.
2.
The concept of malignant narcissism was expanded by psychiatrist Otto Kernberg, who termed it a toxic combination of four highly dysfunctional traits and behaviors: Narcissism, with its grandiosity, lack of empathy, need for attention, and sense of entitlement. Antisocial behavior, with its lack of remorse, destructive and impulsive behavior, deceitfulness, and disregard for and violation of the rights of others. Paranoid thinking, with its sense of persecution, difficulty trusting others, preoccupation with others' loyalty, tendency to bear grudges, and tendency to view benign actions of others as attempts at deception or exploitation. Sadism, with its cruelty, efforts to humiliate or manipulate others, and deriving enjoyment from others' pain and suffering. Do you know anyone with these malignant narcissism traits as described by Dr. Kernberg?
Yes
34%
323 votes
No
28%
269 votes
Undecided
15%
144 votes
Not Applicable
23%
222 votes
3.
3.
Since President Trump's entry into American politics, several psychiatrists and psychologists have spoken out about what they see as Trump's lack of psychological fitness to hold office, and some have used the term malignant narcissism to describe him. Do you think that President Trump is a malignant narcissist?
Yes
51%
490 votes
No
18%
172 votes
Undecided
11%
103 votes
Not Applicable
20%
193 votes

Comments