Who made Trump so bad?

In his second term, Trump has confirmed to us that he’s behaving abnormally and that he is mentally deranged. Not only is he acting like a bully, a mafioso and a dictator, plus exhibits terrible judgment, but he’s also shown his racist, cruelty and seems only capable of negative language, deeds and behavior. 

Did I mention that he surpassed Pinocchio with his lies? So the fair question might be: Who is responsible for the way he is? His Dad (in that case Geppetto? Fred Trump?), his Mom, the Blue Fairy, the school he went to or the NYC mafia that was a bit too close to him and his dad as he grew up? 

Psychologists say that personality is shaped by a mix of genetic temperament, early family dynamics, social modeling as well as cultural and environmental reinforcement What’s certain is that his Dad Fred was a highly ambitious real estate developer who built a fortune in New York’s outer boroughs. Ruthless, he emphasized responding to blows by returning them with twice their intensity and was emotionally distant. 

Donald often sought his approval and modeled his competitive drive after him. Fred’s business practices including allegations of racial discrimination in housing probably shaped Donald’s approach to controversy and confrontation. His mother Mary Anne was a Scottish immigrant and homemaker and less publicly influential in Donald’s upbringing, yet some accounts suggest she was loving but dominated by her husband Fred. 

When Donald attended New York Military Academy at age 13 due to behavioral issues, Trump reportedly thrived in the regimented environment, rising to student captain. While the academy instilled discipline and leadership in him, it also reinforced his aggressive competitiveness and a hierarchical worldview. Finally, growing up in Queens and later working in Manhattan, Trump was exposed to the gritty, transactional underbelly of NYC real estate. 

While direct mafia involvement is always hard to pinpoint, the industry at the time was known for its entanglements with unions, contractors, and of course, organized crime. Some speculate this shaped his combative and coercive negotiating style. Many psychologists suggest that in Trump’s case, traits like dominance, impulsivity, and a need for admiration may have been reinforced by his upbringing, schooling, and career path. 

Of course, there will be the religiously inclined who think that Trump is the perfect opposite to Jesus in suggesting that the devil must have impregnated Mary Ann to create DJT, the anti-Christ, but I’m not religious enough to buy that. 

Do you agree, have a better idea or still believe it’s Geppetto’s fault?