Language matters and reveals character. If I were to refer to a MAGA supporter as dumb white trash, that would say something meaningful about my temperament. Even if you secretly agreed, you would question my judgment. Many rational people would find me unacceptable as a leader.

In 2015, Donald Trump introduced his candidacy for the Presidency of the United States with the words Mexico sends ‘rapists’ to the USA.

One year later, Ruth Bader Ginsburg gave an interview in which she said, “He says whatever comes into his head at the moment. He really has an ego,” thus making him a bad choice to lead a country of 330 million.

Many agreed. Mr. Trump, over the next decade, continued to offer daily examples of language most, including some supporters, consider unacceptable.

Now, here we are, with Trump’s despicable references to a man and a woman murdered by their son. This is not a different Trump. This is only the most recent version. Tomorrow, it will be, hard as this might be to believe, worse.

Am I, in this prediction, suffering from Trump Derangement Syndrome?

Justice Ginsburg was vilified for daring to focus on the close connection between what one says and who one is.

I’ll bet you did the same when little Tommy was 4, 8, and especially 16. That’s not derangement. It’s called decency. Something we want in our kids. And used to expect in our Presidents.

When someone is perpetually indecent, responding is a full-time job. Not to counter, not to be “deranged” would be crazy.

In 2025, if you don’t have Trump Derangement Syndrome, you’re not paying attention.

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