Comparing Trump with Foreign Autocrats

Introduction to The Narcissist’s Fatal Fear

The Narcissist’s Fatal Fear focuses on current autocrats and compares their political behavior with that of President-Elect Donald J. Trump. One cannot be more clear that elections do matter, and that the old saying, “careful what you wish for”

may mean to the stability of the American Democratic Republic. I must make it clear that I am not optimistic for the near future nor for the damage that may be done to the 250-year-old American political experiment. Is it coming to an abrupt end?

Autocratic leaders with narcissistic tendencies often exhibit strikingly similar behaviors. They demand sycophantic loyalty, reject dissent, and manipulate public perception to sustain power. However, the consequences of these traits differ depending on the leader’s context and the resilience of the systems they operate within. Comparing Donald Trump’s leadership with that of foreign autocrats like Vladimir Putin, Kim Jong-un, and Recep Tayyip Erdoğan provides insight into how narcissism manifests in governance—and its cost to the people.

The Narcissist’s Fatal Fear of Disloyalty

Narcissistic leaders see loyalty not as a virtue but as a necessity for survival. Donald Trump’s leadership exemplifies this dynamic. During his presidency, he routinely dismissed those who questioned him, framing them as traitors. For example, when Jeff Sessions recused himself from the Russia investigation, Trump publicly attacked him as weak and disloyal. Similarly, Trump’s refusal to accept electoral defeat in 2020 stemmed from his deep-seated fear of rejection, a hallmark of narcissistic leadership.

Comparatively, Vladimir Putin exhibits a similar obsession with loyalty but enforces it through more brutal means. Putin’s suppression of dissent includes the poisoning of political rival Alexei Navalny and the imprisonment of journalists and activists. Where Trump relies on public shaming and legal intimidation, Putin uses state violence, underscoring the extremes of autocratic narcissism in less democratic systems.

In both cases, this fear of disloyalty stifles honest discourse, isolates the leader, and creates fragile governance structures that collapse under pressure.

Useful Assets vs. Existential Threats Tied to The Narcissist’s Fatal Fear

Autocrats like Trump and Erdoğan view people through a transactional lens: they are either assets to be exploited or threats to be eliminated. Trump’s revolving door of aides, from Anthony Scaramucci to John Bolton, highlights how quickly he discards allies once they lose utility. This behavior undermines institutional stability, leaving leadership prone to chaos.

Erdoğan, on the other hand, uses loyalty tests to consolidate power. After a failed coup attempt in 2016, he purged tens of thousands of civil servants, academics, and military personnel. Labeling dissenters as terrorists, Erdoğan reshaped Turkey’s judiciary and political landscape to ensure unwavering allegiance. This paranoia erodes public trust, marginalizes dissenting voices, and leaves citizens vulnerable to systemic abuses.

The Narcissist’s Fatal Fear Consequences for the Governed

“The Narcissist’s Fatal Fear” directly impacts citizens living under such leaders. Trump’s divisive rhetoric and focus on personal loyalty weakened trust in American institutions, especially the judiciary and media. His claims of election fraud created polarization, undermining public faith in democracy.

By comparison, Kim Jong-un’s narcissistic leadership exacts a far graver toll on North Koreans. Kim enforces loyalty through terror, silencing dissent with imprisonment or execution. This totalitarian control leaves the population impoverished and isolated from the outside world.

Putin’s narcissism has equally devastating consequences. His invasion of Ukraine, fueled by a desire to reassert Russian dominance, has led to international sanctions crippling the economy. The Russian people bear the brunt of these policies, enduring economic hardship while dissenters face brutal suppression.

In Turkey, Erdoğan’s purges and erosion of democratic norms have stifled economic growth and increased inequality. Citizens endure rising inflation and reduced freedoms as Erdoğan prioritizes consolidating his power over addressing their needs.

How Narcissism Backfires

“The Narcissist’s Fatal Fear” often leads to self-inflicted wounds. Trump’s fixation on loyalty isolated him, leaving him surrounded by sycophants who provided no critical feedback. This isolation contributed to his legal troubles and political

vulnerabilities, as even loyalists eventually turned against him.

Putin’s fear of dissent backfires on the international stage. His aggressive policies and suppression of critics have alienated allies and emboldened opposition forces within Russia. Similarly, Erdoğan’s paranoia fosters instability, with growing resentment among Turkey’s middle class and youth.

These leaders create short-term control but sow the seeds of long-term instability. For citizens, the cost is economic stagnation, diminished freedoms, and increased inequality.

The Narcissist’s Fatal Fear Conclusion

Trump’s narcissistic leadership mirrors patterns seen in foreign autocrats, yet the consequences differ based on systemic checks and balances. While Trump’s behavior weakens American institutions, leaders like Putin, Kim, and Erdoğan inflict far more severe damage on their people. By demanding loyalty and rejecting dissent, narcissistic autocrats undermine governance and erode the social contract.

Narcissistic leadership presents clear dangers. Leaders who prioritize loyalty over governance sacrifice stability for control, leaving their nations to bear the costs. Recognizing “The Narcissist’s Fatal Fear” helps us understand the importance of institutional checks and collective resistance in safeguarding democracy.

Sources Cited

Levitsky, S., & Ziblatt, D. (2018). How democracies die. Crown.

Baranowski, S. (2022). “Autocracy and narcissism: A comparative study.” Journal of Leadership Studies, 34(2), 56-78.

American Psychological Association. (2020). Understanding narcissistic personality disorder

Suggestions for Further Reading

Arendt, H. (1973). The origins of totalitarianism.

O’Toole, J. (1995). Leading change.

Mounk, Y. (2018). The people vs. democracy.

Kramer, R. M. (2006). The great intimidators. Harvard Business Review.

Gladwell, M. (2002). The tipping point.

McAdams, D. P. (2014). The Narcissist Next Door: Understanding the monster in your family, in your office, in your bed.

Kahneman, D. (2011). Thinking, fast and slow.

Bennis, W. (2009). On becoming a leader.

Havel, V. (1992). The power of the powerless.

Disclaimer: The images and videos in this post are AI-generated creations, intended purely for illustrative and conceptual purposes. They are not real-life representations and should not be interpreted as such. Their sole purpose is to offer a visual means of exploring the topics discussed in this post.