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
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