Trump is a narcissist. "They're all narcissists." No. They're not. There are many people in politics who are boorishly selfish. And greedy. And petty.
But Donald Trump is a narcissist. And they require different rules.
First and foremost, when dealing with a narcissist, do not ever assume that there is a limit to his narcissism. By definition, a narcissist is someone who has no bottom. For Cassidy- or any Republican- to assume that he could buck Trump, and then make it up to him as some sort of deal or transaction, is to assume that Trump's narcissism had a limit.
By definition, a narcissist has no such limit.
It's often said that Trump runs his government like a mob boss. In that lens, Cassidy is like Carlo Rizzi. It doesn't matter how good he is after the betrayal, or how mistreated he was before. It similarly doesn't matter that the betrayal was in the distant past. He was disloyal; consequences will ensue.
There are so many parallels to dating/marrying a pathological narcissist. Everything is calm as long as you toe the line, and they are allowed control. But the moment they sniff out that you're rejecting their absolute control - when they sense they've lost their grip on you, it's a LIGHT SWITCH. This is the point the punishment is planned. They WILL punish you. Then throw you away like a piece of trash. It's a pattern every narcissist follows. It's a highly studied phenomenon.
I fear for the punishment Trump brings to bear when it's not just individuals, but the whole country that rejects him. However we try to educate how truly dangerous this personality disorder is, most cavalierly reject seeing the truth, at all our peril.
In 7 months, Cassidy can go back to his medical practice, and do some good for people. In the meantime, how likely is Cassidy to vote for Trump's bills or nominees? Maybe Trump has frightened off any other Republicans who might vote to convict him on impeachment charges next year, but given his rate of decline, it may not matter much.
i'm all for MAGA Red Guard Maoist Purity tests. Hopefully it ends before they burn our country to the ground. Ask the PRC how the Cultural Revolution worked out. Oh wait, you can't. Its still a very hot topic.
This column should be accessible via every social media platform there is. Rick has been the lone prophet of ETTD for years and this timely example sums it up beautifully.
NOTE: "The Snake" is more than a "terrible poem". It is likely an old Black folk tale that was turned into a recording by civil rights activist Oscar Brown and then into a hit by the great vocalist Al Wilson in 1968. You will remember Al Wilson as the singer on that song which was responsible for melting away more undergarments "than anyone has ever seen!" in 1973, "Show And Tell". Props for Al!
We gals know: Trump is the ultimate bad boyfriend and no, he will not change for you! The Doctor is NOT in. You nailed it Rick ETTD—no truer words ever spoken!
Sadly, this sorry saga just proves why the supine and invisible Republican congress people have it right. Just phone in your vote, however Trump wants it, and keep your job. Meanwhile, the American voters will send these do nothings back to their exalted position of rubber stampers. How can one not despair?
"He’ll spend his lame-duck months, per his concession speech, finally being the thorn he should’ve been all along ... "
We sure about that?
A respected MD who voted for Kennedy. That's like a Holocaust survivor coming around to think "Hey, Dachau wasn't THAT bad. Let's give Adolf another chance".
Cassidy can't be counted on to do the right thing. Ever. He'll go out with a whimper and probably a couple more really bad votes.
In his concession speech he said, paraphrasing: "This is life, you don't always win. And you don't claim the election was stolen" Ooooops. So he's known Trump is a fraud for years now, BUT ... still voted with him 89% of the time.
A tall, good looking Irish guy with a respected medical career and it comes down to this. It's not just ETTD. It's ETT turns into a soulless piece of shit. Hope he gets a visit from Madam HANTA
Rick, you nailed this one with, not a hammer, but with an industrial-strength nail gun. The name Bill Cassidy will forever be associated with a feckless, pusillanimous lickspittle who lacked a single principle beyond his worthless impeachment vote. In fact, his name will become eponymous with his pathetic legacy. The only thing tragic about it is the people - the maga base - who are responsible for maintaining trump's chokehold on power like the evil Svengali that he is.
I always thought the snake in the story was Trump?
Trump is a narcissist. "They're all narcissists." No. They're not. There are many people in politics who are boorishly selfish. And greedy. And petty.
But Donald Trump is a narcissist. And they require different rules.
First and foremost, when dealing with a narcissist, do not ever assume that there is a limit to his narcissism. By definition, a narcissist is someone who has no bottom. For Cassidy- or any Republican- to assume that he could buck Trump, and then make it up to him as some sort of deal or transaction, is to assume that Trump's narcissism had a limit.
By definition, a narcissist has no such limit.
It's often said that Trump runs his government like a mob boss. In that lens, Cassidy is like Carlo Rizzi. It doesn't matter how good he is after the betrayal, or how mistreated he was before. It similarly doesn't matter that the betrayal was in the distant past. He was disloyal; consequences will ensue.
Cassidy is gone. But will he be replaced by someone worse? I wouldn't celebrate too soon.
Of course! There is only “worse” in this MAGA Party.
There are so many parallels to dating/marrying a pathological narcissist. Everything is calm as long as you toe the line, and they are allowed control. But the moment they sniff out that you're rejecting their absolute control - when they sense they've lost their grip on you, it's a LIGHT SWITCH. This is the point the punishment is planned. They WILL punish you. Then throw you away like a piece of trash. It's a pattern every narcissist follows. It's a highly studied phenomenon.
I fear for the punishment Trump brings to bear when it's not just individuals, but the whole country that rejects him. However we try to educate how truly dangerous this personality disorder is, most cavalierly reject seeing the truth, at all our peril.
Yep, Rick got it right. As you keep telling us: ETTD. 🙏🕊️
In 7 months, Cassidy can go back to his medical practice, and do some good for people. In the meantime, how likely is Cassidy to vote for Trump's bills or nominees? Maybe Trump has frightened off any other Republicans who might vote to convict him on impeachment charges next year, but given his rate of decline, it may not matter much.
If he has the millions, run as an independent.
i'm all for MAGA Red Guard Maoist Purity tests. Hopefully it ends before they burn our country to the ground. Ask the PRC how the Cultural Revolution worked out. Oh wait, you can't. Its still a very hot topic.
This column should be accessible via every social media platform there is. Rick has been the lone prophet of ETTD for years and this timely example sums it up beautifully.
NOTE: "The Snake" is more than a "terrible poem". It is likely an old Black folk tale that was turned into a recording by civil rights activist Oscar Brown and then into a hit by the great vocalist Al Wilson in 1968. You will remember Al Wilson as the singer on that song which was responsible for melting away more undergarments "than anyone has ever seen!" in 1973, "Show And Tell". Props for Al!
And with Trump’s polling, there’s only one reason he holds the iron grip: they know he’s got it rigged. Maybe because he proved it in 2024.
We gals know: Trump is the ultimate bad boyfriend and no, he will not change for you! The Doctor is NOT in. You nailed it Rick ETTD—no truer words ever spoken!
Appeasing the alligator doesn't earn a reprieve; it only delays the alligator until it finally eats you.
File Republicans in the "animals without a vertebrae" file. Stupid spineless cowards!
Sadly, this sorry saga just proves why the supine and invisible Republican congress people have it right. Just phone in your vote, however Trump wants it, and keep your job. Meanwhile, the American voters will send these do nothings back to their exalted position of rubber stampers. How can one not despair?
"He’ll spend his lame-duck months, per his concession speech, finally being the thorn he should’ve been all along ... "
We sure about that?
A respected MD who voted for Kennedy. That's like a Holocaust survivor coming around to think "Hey, Dachau wasn't THAT bad. Let's give Adolf another chance".
Cassidy can't be counted on to do the right thing. Ever. He'll go out with a whimper and probably a couple more really bad votes.
In his concession speech he said, paraphrasing: "This is life, you don't always win. And you don't claim the election was stolen" Ooooops. So he's known Trump is a fraud for years now, BUT ... still voted with him 89% of the time.
A tall, good looking Irish guy with a respected medical career and it comes down to this. It's not just ETTD. It's ETT turns into a soulless piece of shit. Hope he gets a visit from Madam HANTA
Rick, we are all looking forward to your next hit piece on the takedown of Thomas Massie, courtesy of the evil Svengali trump.
Rick, you nailed this one with, not a hammer, but with an industrial-strength nail gun. The name Bill Cassidy will forever be associated with a feckless, pusillanimous lickspittle who lacked a single principle beyond his worthless impeachment vote. In fact, his name will become eponymous with his pathetic legacy. The only thing tragic about it is the people - the maga base - who are responsible for maintaining trump's chokehold on power like the evil Svengali that he is.
Yes, “an industrial-strength nail gun”! But your “feckless, pusillanimous, lickspittle” is nailing it with a Thor Hammer!