OPINION | NEWS
Trump's Duplicitous Personality Will Either Uplift America Or Destroy Its Existence For Decades To Come...
This opinionated article is thought-provoking and ambitious, weaving together psychology, political philosophy, and a historical view of Trump and his methodologies as well as nuanced policies and the manner in which he governs the White House.
— Dr. Gary W. Simpson, III
By John P. RoBeare | July 10, 2025
President Donald Trump is baffling, eccentric, conniving, carnivorous, and has both a narcissistic personality (one marked by self-importance and a constant need for attention from all within or outside of their orbit), and a Niccolò Machiavelli personality (focused on the manipulation of others and calculated material self-interest). Although the two are “fundamentally different”—one centered around an individual’s colossal ego and the other on a flamboyant need to physically acquire and control things and people. They both give American citizens feelings of either extraordinary positive transformation, progress and excitement, or anxiety and trepidation.
As a matter of information, Machiavelli, was born in Florence, Italy on May 3, 1469. He was a “Philosopher, governmental/public official, author, and historian.” He lived during the Italian Renaissance period (roughly the late 14th to the early 17th centuries). Machiavelli is best known for his political writings, particularly, “The Prince“—where he discussed leadership, power, and pragmatism in political affairs. Although, Machiavelli did not promote evil as the only option, he did acknowledged that power often require hard and unethical choices. To differentiate the two, Machiavelli analyzed and described the power dynamics but did not necessarily endorse them but Trump embodies every aspect of them wholeheartedly.
Machiavelli, as the current President Donald J. Trump, have often said the need for being ruthless, uncaring in politics, and lacking ethical and moral principles is at times a necessary evil. They both pushed for these qualities in contemporaries, supporters, and by those placed in power to execute the laws of the land, in particular, their views of the laws exclusively. They both made a mockery of political correctness, seeing it as an empty virtue: an insincere point of noneffective moral qualities, being ineffective and superficial at best—lacking real strength and courage.
Generally speaking, in my opinion, both Machiavelli during his time as a political advisor and Trump’s presidency today, both appear to suffer from sociopathic delusions. The two believed they had/have special powers and were/are destine to succeed in all things they set out to accomplish. They saw/see themselves as unstoppable and indestructible.
In other words, they appear(ed) unrelenting and to suffer from a lack of morality, regret, empathy, or guilt for their negative actions. Neither Machiavelli nor Trump exhibit any remorse or pity for the calculated affronts perpetrated upon fellow human beings or society as a whole. They do whatever is necessary to achieve their goal to justify the ends at the expense of the means—which is an arrogant and imperious action(s) in the face of morality. In other words, Machiavelli and Trump, acts with entitled defiance, while knowing what they are doing or saying is morally wrong.
I am cognizant of the historical differences in terms of Machiavelli’s need to secure political stability while he adapts to the realities of power. While on the other hand, I am completely aware of Trump’s rhetoric and actions which seems to dismiss all thoughts of aligning himself with a more measured or conciliatory style of management as he sees it as weakness.
Trump, rather than finding middle ground in a highly explosive situations opts for using a single-minded approach to leadership that is based on the zero-sum game: where one person’s gain is directly equivalent to another person’s loss. Trump believes only one side wins and the other losses. No negotiations. Additionally, Trump opts for complete aggression for anyone who gets in his way towards winning—as losing is never a viable option for this self-imposing autocrat.
Trump: Winning by any means necessary [...]
Trump delivers a one-sided fiery speech to his loyal MAGA base during a campaign stop on his path back to the White House. His belligerent rhetoric describing the failures of the Democratic Party captivated the crowd, further fueling division, and his relentless push to reclaim the Oval Office.
Machiavelli was known for encouraging the manipulation of people by misrepresenting the truth, power grabbing, and having a lack of moral integrity in his leadership of the people and other leaders of the time. At the same time, he subscribed to religious awakening of all those around him. Although, he did not believe religion was morally good, he used it as a political strategy to control the citizens and maintain power.
President Trump, like Machiavelli, does not acquiesce to any one religion. He has cited on many occasions that he is not affiliated with any specific religious denomination. As he too uses religion to maintain social order and Godly obedience in a cult like manner. Henceforth, his far right-wing MAGA supporters and others, who give their blind “Trumpian” dedication to all things Donald Trump.
Trump’s dedicated followers see him as this iconic, grandiose, heroic and Godly figure (who is above the rule of law). Many have become his dedicated “loyal subjects”—literally pledging their allegiance and obedience to President Trump. They believe he has risen to change their lives for the better, while promoting white nationalism and superiority.
President Trump created a unique imagery of having a direct connection to God and country. It’s one of the lures which helped him to encourage patriotism and loyalty among supporters and those selected as statesmen, rank and file employees, and fellow republican party bosses.
The president is also admired because of his unbending approach to politics and business as well as through his manipulation of the American citizens and the mass media. Notwithstanding his bank account, associations, and alignment with other billionaires. For whatever the reason, people in America seem to associate vast amounts of financial capital with success.
For Trump, he appears to believe “that no matter how vial, immoral or wicked, the ends shall always justify the means.” This type of mind set, gives rise to Trump’s philosophy of masking his intentions—overlooking faith, mercy, and peoples humanity—thereby taking as much as he can until someone says stop and really mean it.
What’s more, it was Trump’s imposing display of courtroom drama and defiance in defense of his criminal and felony trials, along with his pre-arranged courtside spectacles—masquerading him as having superior hierarchical knowledge and power over the legal judicial system. It was a sideshow to display his utter lack of respect for the federal court in handling his legal matters and a push to have his cases vacated. Trump’s plan worked, most of his damning cases were abated or dismissed completely. Trump’s courtroom wins gave him the appearance of being invincible.
Those who were once Trump’s enemies, after his courtroom victories, they have now become his dedicated friend and loyalist. As a result of the newly constructed aura of power surrounding President Trump, the once Trump adversaries now aligned with him and his mission, are inclined to recklessly support Trump blindly in his “Make America Great Again” initiatives. These reprehensible individuals sold their souls for top-level positions in “His Majesty’s” administration.
Moreover, Trump and his loyal followers seemed to realize that by having enemies serve them would be better than friends. Why? Friends, after all, might be too close to act as loyal unquestionong,, do-anything subjects in King Trump’s imagined royal court. These followers appear to believe that true friends would confront him with the truth about his often faulty, dangerous, and toxic decisions.
Such friends might even try to stop him—whether out of concern, envy, or a desire to prevent Trump from causing harm to himself or more importantly, causing harm to the American people through his reckless self-indulgence and blind allegiance to the “Project 25” agenda, crafted by the Heritage Foundation to dismantle institutions in the United States.
Trump campaigns not just for the presidency, but for a crown—eager to rule his American kingdom unchecked by the press or the will of his subjects. In his vision, the nation thrives under his command and one day, under the leadership of his royal heirs.
As a personal assessment of Trump’s wickedness and character, lets rewind to the 1978 gut-wrenching TV series and the infamous character personality of “JR’ Ewing” on—the historically popular TV sitcom Dallas. The main character “JR” was depicted as an extremely manipulative, morally-corrupt, self-centered, ruthless, and consistently scheming to amass power and wealth at the expense of others.
JR Ewing’s character and tactics reveal a sharp resemblance of qualities “quite noticeably” found in the current U.S. President Donald J. Trump. However, it should be noted, my reference to the similarity of the two is an analogy and not a direct/factual comparison. To put it in simpler terms, as the former President Joe Biden stated during his 2024 presidential debate relating to Trump, “You have the moral of an alley-cat”—which again is a stark comparison to the self-centered, ruthless character on Dallas, J.R. Ewing. Biden was reflecting on all the salacious and morally corrupt actions/scandals committed by Trump previously and currently in his personal and political life.
Notwithstanding, President Trump appears to have some idealistic and real purposeful actions, as well as a few sound public policies aimed at restoring the foundation of America and its people. A select number of Trump’s policies and his executive orders would ultimately help a large swath of diverse American citizens morally as well as economically in the short and long-term.
Although, Trump and his policies are a work in progress, as he also has many negative attributes which are extremely troubling and counterproductive to the American citizens, in particular, African Americans/Blacks, ethnic minorities, and poor whites.
TRUMP CREATES A DIVIDED NATION AND A WORLD OF SKEPTICISM, SUFFERING, AND CONSTERNATION
Unfortunately, this president also brings a myriad of damning calamity to specific demographics, the immediate and long-range economy, as well as a host of cryptic internal and external “foreign” policies measures. One being Trump’s policies aimed at further distancing the U.S. from the European Union (EU) and other NATO allies. American allies that provide shelter, added strength, and pooled economic resources by acting in concert with the U.S. for the better good of the world. A commonsense initiative!
As a foot note to the aforementioned, “I believe and concur with Trump that our European allies need to spend more of their own money on their defense, rather than deplete U.S. resources.” The money’s saved by the U.S. will better accommodate the needs of the American citizens by supporting U.S. internal operations here at home.
Yet, Trump must re-think and re-focus his current efforts, directives, and policies aimed at marginalized and disenfranchised citizens here in America for there to be any real assemblage of progress and hope for the nations underserved communities.
President Trump should taken into consideration the disenfranchised and marginalized citizens’ well-being when thinking about the stabilization of America. Reasons being, many in these groups are viable candidates for the U.S. arm forces. Especially now as America enters a new paradigm shift towards a more robust and “lethal military.”
This is especially concerning with President Trump “stirring up the hornet’s nest” among U.S. trusted allies, partners, and dangerous enemies around the world. Trump, through his controversial political attacks on foreign nationals and his launching unprovoked tariffs on friends of America such as Canada and the European Union (EU). The current monetary assault on America’s friends is the wrong way to influence leaders of other countries or garner their support and trust.
The manner in which the U.S. should operate is through fair and open dialog—applying fair and straight forward policies, and not through fear tactics and the threat of U.S. dominance. This is on both fronts; internally and externally. It will actually place America in a position of isolation in an era of great hostility and violence here in America and abroad with no cover from its’ allies.
For example, currently in America many of the Trump planned initiatives would purportedly divide African Americans/Blacks and ethnic minorities from certain white nationals, in particular, white extremist who seem to be viewed by Trump as the superior race. He also appears to shows favor toward misogynistic, racist, and anti-Semitic factions in American culture. Groups such as the Proud Boys, Oath Keepers, Neo-Nazi’s, far right-wing MAGA supporters, and others, who are bent on creating havoc in America and around the world.
These menacing groups appear to be comprised of bigots, hate mongers, white nationalist, and others who seem to desire an all out racial and cultural war with African Americans, ethnic minorities, Asians, and Jewish people living in America. It is a fate that is not desired by the majority of Americans: That being White Americans, African Americans/Blacks Americans, Jewish Americans, Hispanics Americans, Native Americans, Ethnic Minorities and others, who want to live under one beautifully designed quilt of diverse citizens.
Trump, by way of his association with the above named organizations—appear to be aiding and abetting white supremacy organizations and other hate groups achieve victory over minorities, Jews and others by placing his presidential hands on the “scales of justice.” According to a “survey conducted by PRRI in 2018,” (54%) of Americans believe that Trump’s decisions and behavior as the president of the United States of America have encouraged white supremacist.
The camaraderie between Trump and these flagrantly obtrusive neo-destructive groups somewhat indicates by President Trump’s blind pardons of violent rioters jailed as a result of the January 6 coup, his partnership and alignment with their contentious plans for America. Notwithstanding Trump ordering the Justice Department to freeze cases within the “Civil Rights Division,” for no other reason but to reverse the many gains by African Americans/Blacks with a swipe of his signature through an executive order.
Moreover, it is Trump’s selection and firing of those serving in his administration that provides a complete picture of the direction he is taking in his pursuit to “Make America White Male Again.” The Trump administration is essentially, replacing democratic employees and minorities with republican MAGA loyalist. Practically, all of the decisions implemented by the “Trump Gang,” is an affront to all women and people of color in this country.
The Trump team are destroying policies and events created to support minorities and diversity by replacing them with cuts in programs erroneously labeled as biased, woke, and DEI. Let’s hope he (Trump) will later rectify his many disturbing actions, by initiating some positive and meaningful policies that will really restore America and not further divide the nation.
IS TRUMP ORCHESTRATING HIS ADMINISTRATION TO INCITE A RACE WAR?
It is believed Trump appears to be aiding violent organizations to establish a mandate on white supremacy rule and dominance in the United States for himself, hate groups, far right-wing MAGA supporters, White Evangelicals, and other white conservative Christian national faith organizations who oppose “race mixing” as part of their Christian faith.
These groups and individuals appear to be xenophobes and obviously undereducated or perhaps misled. They believe the violent and discriminatory of treatment of Black slaves and the compounded years of persecutions and discrimination towards the descendants of slavery, in particular, today’s African Americans/Blacks, did not cause or create the deleterious effects on Blacks in America and beyond.
They also believe the horrors and violence is a false narrative and would not have created generational conditions that makes it perplexingly difficult for African Americans/Blacks to pull themselves up by their boot-straps. It is believed that descendants of slaves are inept and lack true spirituality and motivation to upbuild within their own community and society. And that… within itself is the sole reason for their living conditions today.
This is not only a blatant distortion of the truth, but a theory which has been disproven from the time African slaves were forcefully ushered on to the shores of America. A time marked by a period of brutality and death of Africans, while they were forcefully coerced into transforming America—agriculturally, industrially, and socially.
The facts of the matter are that African Americans historically and currently, have been instrumental in shaping the culture and progress in America. It was through their literature, scientific innovations, dance, food, music (blues, gospel, jazz, and hip-hop), and forced “unpaid” labor (particularly in the cotton industry) that underpinned the economic foundation of the nation, where America found itself civilized (until recent Trumpian, MAGA, and the Heritage Foundation’s “Project 25” politics).
Additionally, African Americans/Blacks influenced America with its political and educational contributions, the Civil Rights and Social Justice movements that laid the ground work for additional marginalized groups seeking redress in America and around the world—and too many more inspiring attributes to name.
Without the Black experience, America would not look the same, prior to Trump—that being a beacon of light, strength, civility, and hope of a nation and world. I, John P. RoBeare, unapologetically sympathize with this list of Black contributions. However, I also understand America and the world have also been shaped by the contributions of Native Americans, Whites, Hispanics, Asians, Jews, and others.
My intentions are only to praise and join in the historical dialog highlighting the many extraordinary actions and contributions made by African Americans in America and around the world. Especially in the light of the negative, hurtful, and inaccurate statements made about “Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI)”—by the Trump administration and others as they associate DEI with people of color. Knowledge is power—whether it comes from a king, queen, or the U.S. President— as the truth will set all of us free.
The “Trumpian” beliefs, statements, and actions pose a real danger and threat to the African American/Black community, as well as other ethnic minorties, particularly in America. I wanted to illustrate and showcase, in words, that none of the subtle or overt attempts to erase a history that is non-erasable will work!
“Black historical contributions, struggles and successes are woven into the very fabric of America—physically, culturally, socially, politically, violently, educationally, scientifically, environmentally, and economically. …
The African American/Black contributions are not only a testament to society and the ingenuity of their efforts, but also serve as a moral compass for righteousness and a vital part of the ‘soul of America’.” As a working united team of Americans, we will thrive, but as a “Lone-Wolf” we will be poised to be slaughtered. So let us (as in a diverse “U.S.” citizenry) stand together for the sakes of humanity everywhere. — John P. RoBeare (July 10, 2025).