Trump stumbles over Epstein while aiming at Chicago

Trump stumbles over Epstein while aiming at Chicago

Author: Really American Media September 12, 2025 Duration: 2:15:32

Your favorite psychologists, John Gartner and Harry Segal, present “this week” in Trump’s power grab encouraged by the Supreme Court. They are joined by the great Andy Borowitz who brings his humor and insight to this dangerous moment in political history.


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Trump announced plans to seize control of the D.C. police, declared multiple states of emergency, and threatened to deploy troops in a city where violent crime has actually declined. Gartner and Segal argue these maneuvers aren’t about public safety at all but about manufacturing chaos in order to justify ever-greater power grabs.


When Trump set his sights on Baltimore, he twisted the city’s story of revitalization into a caricature of dysfunction. Coverage of neighborhood renewal, falling crime rates, and community-led solutions vanished beneath his fearmongering. Gartner and Segal contrast the real on-the-ground progress with Trump’s distorted narrative, showing how he weaponizes urban success to sow division.


This episode isn’t a partisan broadside so much as a civic call to psychological arms. Recognizing cognitive warning signs in our leaders isn’t a cheap political shot—it’s a crucial act of self-defense for democracy. By naming these stunts for what they may be—symptoms of mental strain—we sharpen our defenses against manipulation and reclaim our democratic norms.


Listen to Shrinking Trump on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your shows. Equip yourself with the insight to see past the spectacle and call out authoritarian playbooks the moment they emerge.

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Each week, psychologists John Gartner and Harry Segal sit down for a session focused on a singular, complex subject: the mind of Donald Trump. In their Shrinking Trump podcast, produced by Really American Media, they apply their clinical expertise to publicly available behavior and speech, methodically documenting signs of cognitive decline and exploring the ramifications of his diagnosed malignant narcissism. They are joined by a roster of expert guests from various fields, turning each episode into a nuanced discussion that goes beyond standard political commentary. Dr. Gartner, a former Johns Hopkins psychiatry professor and founder of the Duty To Warn association, brings a particular urgency to these conversations, framing them within a broader ethical context. This isn't about partisan politics; it's a forensic psychological examination of a figure who has profoundly impacted the national landscape. Tuning in, you'll hear a careful, evidence-based analysis that breaks down rhetoric and action through a clinical lens, offering listeners a distinct perspective found in few other news and politics podcasts. The dialogue is direct, informed, and dedicated to understanding the psychological drivers behind the headlines, providing a deeper framework for interpreting ongoing events.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 70

Shrinking Trump
Podcast Episodes
This series on Trump’s mental condition comes to a close [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:45:09
On this last show, your favorite psychologists, John Gartner and Harry Segal, review Trump’s bizarre speech in Quantico while explaining their decision to end the series. They are joined by Really American’s Justin Horwi…
The Jimmy Kimmel canceling is a tipping point for democracy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:34:08
Your favorite psychologists, John Gartner and Harry Segal, review the insidious way the Trump administration is using the Kirk assassination to end freedom of speech. They are joined again by Dr. Vince Greenwood, an expe…
Epstein Files Frenzy and Court Losses Fuel Trump’s Collapse [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:43:25
One of your favorite psychologists, Harry Segal, is back to describe and interpret Trump’s strange behaviors this week, from his tone-deaf response to the Epstein-Maxwell victims to his mysterious medical symptoms. Since…
Trump faces push-back as he sinks in the polls [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:47:08
Your favorite shrinks, John Gartner and Harry Segal, present “this week” in Trump’s cognitive decline, as well as an extended excerpt of Pritzker’s heroic speech pushing back on federal threats to Chicago. While describi…
Trump’s pathological relationship with Putin is on full display [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:07:24
Your favorite psychologists, John Gartner and Harry Segal, review Trump’s disastrous Alaska summit and marvel at how he has reverted to Putin’s absurd Ukraine talking points. They also speak with Richard Wood, eminent cl…
Is Trump becoming “the demented dictator?” [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:05:07
Is Trump becoming “the demented dictator”? That’s the question driving the latest episode of Shrinking Trump, as clinical psychologists John Gartner and Harry Segal sit down with Dan Rodricks, the legendary former Baltim…
Even Republicans can’t miss Trump’s walk on the roof! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:12:00
Your favorite clinical psychologists, John Gartner and Harry Segal, observe how the media is turning again, however slowly, to Trump’s mental decline. They are also joined by James Fishkin, professor at Stanford, whose w…
Finally, Trump’s grip on the country has begun to slip [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:14:45
Your favorite clinical psychologists, John Gartner and Harry Segal, observe more signs of Trump’s cognitive decline as well as his loss of support among independents. Is it starting to look like 2020 all over again? Be s…
Trump’s cognitive confusion continues! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:12:15
Your favorite clinical psychologists, John Gartner and Harry Segal, review Trump’s confusion over the Epstein debacle, sound the alarm about the firing of Colbert and the purchase of CBS, and discuss the implications of…