I'm not actually convinced about the intelligence part. My opinion on Trump may be somewhat skewed (or maybe sharpened) by the fact that I know a guy locally who is much like him. I've had to work a lot with this guy on various local initiatives, such as funding & building a large arena. "Dan" gets his way a lot because he simply turns on the jets and overwhelms people into doing things his way - even when those people completely disagree with him. "Okay, fuck it Dan, go ahead" is a typical capitulation. I've done it myself.Looking at the definitions - the definition of sociopath, the definition of psychopath, there are some clear markers in his behaviors. Whether is he or isn't is academic, though.
What he is for sure, however, is remarkably self-centered and shallow. He owns a clear, if significantly limited, set of skills that allow him to essentially maul people through the sheer force of his will. That can work in a vacuum, such as commercial real estate, but not on any kind of macro scale. On a macro scale, it simply makes him an embarrassing buffoon.
He's just the right guy at just the right time with just the right skills to be attractive to many, unfortunately.
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Sociopaths who are also intelligent----as is Trump----do not come off looking like Buffoons. I am not going to make a diagnosis----but----my---superficial sense is -----no---he is not
"Dan" is street smart in some ways, and that helps him, but outside of that he just fucking runs over people. Say his name in public and you'll get a roll of the eyes, shaking head and knowing smile. His name is a toxic joke. He can't run for office because because he's just such a clown and no one of significance would support him (unless Dan has pictures, if you know what I mean).
Yet, even with all that, "Dan" knows how to measure his words when the situation calls for it. Trump does not.
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