GOP Senators Propose Making ‘Trump Derangement Syndrome’ a Recognized Disorder
In a surprising move, Republican lawmakers in Minnesota have introduced a bill that aims to classify “Trump Derangement Syndrome” (TDS) as an official mental health condition.
This controversial proposal has sparked a range of reactions, and if it succeeds, it could have far-reaching implications in how the public views political opposition to former President Donald Trump.
What is ‘Trump Derangement Syndrome’?
According to the Minnesota bill, Trump Derangement Syndrome is described as a condition where individuals exhibit “verbal expressions of intense hostility” toward Trump and even engage in “overt acts of aggression and violence” against anyone who shows support for him.
The bill further explains that the syndrome causes individuals to experience “Trump-induced general hysteria,” which makes it difficult to differentiate between legitimate political disagreements and irrational behavior stemming from the president’s actions.
While the term TDS has been used for years by pro-Trump commentators to discredit critics, the bill takes this a step further by trying to make it an official mental health issue.
The Roots of the Term
The phrase “Trump Derangement Syndrome” has been used as an insult by Trump supporters to label those who oppose him, particularly those who are outspoken in their criticism.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt recently tweeted about the supposed effects of TDS, blaming it for the opposition to President Trump’s efforts to cut government waste.
She argued that Democrats and the media are simply unable to accept that Trump is fulfilling his promises, such as slashing billions in federal spending.
Senator Ted Cruz has also used the term in public appearances.
During a podcast interview with Elon Musk, Cruz discussed the “deranged” reactions from critics on the left, pointing to both Trump and Musk as targets of this supposed mental illness.
Cruz asked Musk, “Why do they hate you so much?” to which Musk responded, “Because we’re clearly over the target.”
Minnesota’s Bold Proposal
The bill, known as SF2589, specifically targets TDS as a “mental illness” linked to an irrational reaction to Trump’s presidency and policies. The language in the bill closely mirrors that of “Bush Derangement Syndrome,” a term coined by the late political commentator Charles Krauthammer in 2003 to describe opponents of President George W. Bush.
In his original description, Krauthammer defined it as the “acute onset of paranoia in otherwise normal people” who were reacting to Bush’s policies.
The Minnesota Republicans are now pushing to redefine TDS in a similar fashion, proposing that it be recognized as a mental disorder by both the American Psychiatric Association and Zero to Three, a nonprofit focused on child development.
A Divisive Political Symbol
Minnesota is known as a largely Democratic state, having voted in favor of Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election.
This bill, which could be seen as a direct response to the political divide, has generated significant debate.
As it stands, the proposed legislation will be reviewed by the Minnesota Senate Health and Human Services Committee, where it will be discussed further before any potential vote.
While the concept of “Trump Derangement Syndrome” is rooted in political rhetoric, the effort to turn it into an official mental health diagnosis is pushing the boundaries of political discourse and raising questions about how mental health should be addressed in relation to political behavior.