Marjorie's road to the White House runs over Vance, Rubio, and Don Jr., and then she's likely to face Newsom or Shapiro. She could win. At least the GOP primary. By Hal M. Brown

 

As someone who looks at politics through the eyes of a psychotherapist, in addition to being a Substacker on the lookout for something original to write about, I consider MTG to be one of four present or recent members of Congress who I consider interesting psychologically. The other three are Lauren Boebert, George Santos, and Matt Gaetz. They are all mental health aberrations but not particularly interesting. 

None of them stand a snowball’s chance in Hell of mounting a credible primary challenge to whoever Trump annoints to replace him assuming he hasn’t declared himself president for life. They have earned their irrelevancy despite the media attention they’ve received.

Currently the three likely people to try to claw their way into the Oval Office, at least to being the GOP primary candidates, are Vance, Rubio, and Donald “Spawn of Trump” Junior. None of them have what could be called the charisma of Boebert, Santos, or Gaetz. Each have their own kind of flash.

None of these six come close to having the charisma, the flash, of Marjorie Taylor Greene. Compared to her they define dull and boring.

If you haven’t seen her announcement, here it is on X:

I see a crucial line in what she said as being “I’m going back to the people that I love to live my life to the fullest as I always have and I look forward to a new path ahead.” For MTG living life to the fullest means being president. How much fuller could her life be than holding her current position as one of the most outspoken members of Congress. There’s only one way to be fuller than that. 

There are various ways MTG could end up sitting behind the deck in the Oval Office, but I see one clear path for her and it involves mostly Marjorie being Marjorie which is something she won’t have any trouble doing.

She is a natural born political predator. She has the feral intelligence of a stalking female lion. 

There’s only one thing that she should not do and I am sure she knows this. It is running for Senator in Georgia. She cannot risk a defeat in a state that elected two Democrats to represent them in the Senate. I don’t think she should run for governor either. She has to be laser focused on running in the GOP presidential primary.

Like that stalking lion she will pick off and devour the weakest animals in the pack of hapless prey. I don’t know whether the first to fall will be Vance, Rubio, or Junior. They may hobble each other trying to curry Big Daddy’s favor. Marjorie will watch this from the bushes as she elevates her own profile as the credible candidate most likely to defeat whoever the Democrats run. She may dismiss the GOP big three as mere Trump wannabes and focus her attacks on Newsom and Shapiro if, as I think likely, they emerge as the top Democratic candidates.

Depending on how much liquid manure Trump sprays on the three Donnie dorks lusting after his job and how they deal with this, Marjorie will be making decisions as to how to attack each of them most effectively. 

How smart is Marjorie at burnishing her image. She knows her optics. Consider just this from her announcement video:

I wouldn’t be surprised if she became president if we saw a small CrossFit gym (Greene used to own a successful one) in a room next to the Oval Office. Marjorie could work out there band have photos posted of her on X.

Marjorie is MAGA. She will emphasize how MAGA she is during the primary and then moderate the MAGA if she wins and runs for president. She’s already successfully apologized for her divisive comments and admitted being wrong. She’ll have no problem once she was running for president saying she sees how she was mislead into believing Trump won the 2020 election for example. Depending on public outcry about the brutality of ICE she could move towards a more humane position on how immigration laws are enforced. The same could go for Trump’s need to flex whatever muscles he has under his flacid flesh by bombing boats and televising snuff videos. Marjorie does have to be a macho poseur. 

I see her as having more fire in her belly than Vance, Rubio, and Junior combined. Among the four of them, if I was in a street brawl I would want Marjorie on my side.

She knows she has to achieve a balance between being the tough-guy candidate and being feminine, but not in a woke way.

Look for the first sign she’s aware of the need to do this by signs she’s been working with a voice coach to soften her voice.

Her winning the primary could very well hinge on the answer to the famous beer question (see Wikipedia)

I can answer that one without hesitation. Even though there’s no way I’d vote for her in the general election of the four lilely candidates I would want to have a beer with Marjorie.

She could actually win, especially if the country has descended into a cruel autocratic dictatorship that becomes unpopular with the majority of voters.

If she saw this happening it would be in her interest to do everything she could to assure free and fair elections. She could very well determine that in this kind of election she has a good chance of sitting where she’s a always wanted to sit as shown below:

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Trump doesn't ride a horse as King George III did. His stead is a golf cart. Could a statue of him be toppled as George's was Like the British King, Trump also rides a massive ego.

 

Any American who loves liberty and cherishes our democracy who has been watching Ken Burns’ acclaimed documentary “The Amercian Revolution” can’t miss the parallels between what was happening between the 1760’s and 1776 in the British colonies ruled by King George III. 

This is from the Roger Ebert.com review by Brian Tallerico:

It’s also impossible to avoid the fact that “The American Revolution” comes in the shadow of No Kings protests, which give it a different flavor than it might have had a decade ago. An early discussion of how having a standing army in Boston influenced the revolution by inspiring the locals against the perceived act of aggression echoes conversations being held in and around Chicago about the National Guard and ICE walking down the Magnificent Mile. Of course, Burns and company didn’t make “The American Revolution” as a commentary on 2025 in the Windy City. Still, it’s a healthy reminder of how history repeats itself, connecting modern issues to those who forged this country. In many ways, we’re still trying to figure out how to unify a divided country.

I’ve watched only the first two episodes which cover the 10 or so years prior to the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Something that struck me was how the historians featured emphasized that not only was the conflict between the colonists and the British but it was a civil war pitting neighbors against neighbors.

Like today, towns and cities were occupied by armed forces loyal to someone that was trying to control them and take away their freedom in various ways.

One could also draw the comparison between the British taxing and Trump’s tariffs leading to the increase in the cost of goods.

We all know about the heroism of the patriots, but what the documentary shows is just how incredibly heroic, men, women and children in their early teens actually were. It also reminds us how brilliant the patriots were.

Everyone is familiar with the Declaration of Independence, but unless you were a history major while you probably know the name Thomas Payne and perhaps that he was the author of “Common Sense,” you may not know the impact this had. (Read Wikipedia article)

It was the seminal document that led to the majority of colonists realizing that there was no returning to the old ways and that they had to fight for independence. Here’s a summary from Project Guttenberg where you can read the entire text:

“Common Sense” by Thomas Paine is a historical pamphlet written in the late 18th century. This influential work calls for the independence of the American colonies from British rule and discusses the nature of government and monarchy. Paine articulates arguments that emphasize the rights of individuals and the unjust nature of hereditary rule, setting the stage for a broader discussion about governance, liberty, and the responsibilities of citizens. At the start of the pamphlet, Paine establishes the premise that government is a necessary evil, arising from the flaws of humanity. He contrasts government with society, portraying society as a product of collective human needs, while depicting government as a mechanism to restrain self-interest and prevent chaos. Through a series of concise arguments, he critiques the English Constitution and hereditary monarchy, positing that America’s struggle is not only a concern of the colonies but a pivotal issue for all humanity. He further reflects on the present state of American affairs, urging the need for immediate action toward independence, as reconciliation with Britain seems not only impractical but unjust. 

There is some irony, rather disgusting irony, that the phrase “common sense” is one that Trump has often used to show that he has it and those who oppose him don’t. Read this:

Excerpt:

The idea of “common sense” has been central to American politics since the founding of the United States. Politicians still use the phrase all the time — and perhaps none more so than President Trump.

Just this month at a Cabinet meeting, he used the phrase when he again recommended that pregnant women not take Tylenol.

“There’s something going on, and we have to address it. And so, I’m addressing it the best I can as a nondoctor, but I’m a man of common sense,” he said.

He also used the term when he cast doubt on the monthly jobs report on CNBC in August: “It’s totally rigged. Smart people know it. People with common sense know it.”

As we watched the first two episodes yesterday I said to my partner “how can any member of Congress who supports Trump watch this and live with themselves?”

How indeed?

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The Trump dementia question: Does Trump have some screws loose? This is a serious subject. The illustration is meant for stress relief both for me and for my readers.

 

Mary Trump (article above) thinks her uncle has dementia. She may be correct, but she’s not an expert.

Donald Trump stated that he had an MRI as part of a routine physical and described the results as “outstanding,” although he admitted he did not know what specific body part was analyzed during the scan. We don’t even know if he had a brain MRI. If he did, it should be noted that an MRI cannot directly diagnose dementia, but it can reveal brain changes associated with different types of dementia, such as brain atrophy or lesions. It is often used to rule out other conditions that may cause similar symptoms.  Reference 1 / Reference 2 

Let’s get one thing straight. Neither Mary Trump, a clincial psychologist who only did psychotherapy with patients in her one year internship, nor I, a clincial social worker who diagnosed and treated patients for 40 year, are qualified to diagnose dementia. Neither is Duty to Warn founder Dr. John Gartner who has seen numerous psychotherapy patients. He says Trump has dementia (see, Trump’s ‘cognitive decline’ putting U.S. at ‘grave risk’) and is often quoted.

The experts at diagnosing dementia are neurologists, neuropsychologists, and some gerontologists.

I asked Chat-GTP whether neurologists think. Trump has dementia and this is what I got:

Do Neurologists Think Trump Has Dementia?

Opinions among neurologists and mental health professionals regarding Donald Trump’s cognitive health and potential dementia vary significantly, often influenced by political perspectives.

Current Evaluations and Opinions

1. Cognitive Screening Results:

   • Donald Trump has publicly mentioned taking the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), a test designed to assess cognitive function. He has claimed to have received perfect scores, suggesting normal cognitive abilities. However, experts point out that this test is not intended to measure intelligence or IQ.

2. Expert Opinions:

   • Some neurologists and psychologists express concerns about Trump’s mental fitness, citing observable behaviors. For example, neurologist Dr. John Gartner has explicitly stated that he believes Trump shows signs of dementia, including memory and behavioral decline, particularly in comparison to earlier years.

   • On the contrary, Trump’s physician reported comprehensive evaluations indicating no abnormalities in his cognitive or neurological functions during his annual physical.

3. Public Perception and Media Commentary:

   • Public discourse often reflects divisions in opinion. Supporters may interpret Trump’s cognitive assessments positively, while critics cite instances of strange behavior or speech as indicative of cognitive decline.

   • Comments from figures like Cornell University psychologist Harry Segal have suggested that erratic behavior can signal “accelerating cognitive decline.”

4. Dementia Assessments vs. IQ Tests:

   • The confusion surrounding cognitive tests often arises from Trump’s characterization of them as “IQ tests.” Experts clarify that assessments like the MoCA are specifically designed for identifying cognitive impairments associated with conditions like dementia, not for evaluating general intelligence.

---

Summary of Concerns

• While official tests show that Trump performs well on cognitive assessments, many experts raise alarms about his behavioral signs that could suggest cognitive decline. These assessments lead to ongoing debates about his mental health, particularly in the context of his political career. Given the sensitive nature of cognitive health issues, the discussions are often politically charged, reflecting broader divisions in public opinion

  Note that Dr. Gartner is referred to in this.

  article where he’s called a specialist.

  Dr. John Gartner, a specialist in the field, has observed that Trump, now 79, appears to be slowing down, with potential impairment in his motor skills. This observation follows sightings of Trump allegedly wearing a catheter under his right pant leg, which Gartner suggests could indicate the president is suffering from a specific type of dementia known as frontotemporal dementia.

  Unfortunately, as far as I can tell the actual experts in dementia who have come out to suggest there are signs Trump has dementia are few and none have become prominent. One whose name was not familiar to me until I began to research this Substack is Dr. Narinder Kapur, a consultant neuropsychologist and visiting professor at the University College London. He said that “the president’s behavior over the last six months has been ‘quite odd and strange,’ as reported by Express, UK. (Reference) In this article once again John Gartner is referred to as follows:

  Psychologist Dr. John Gartner, formerly of Johns Hopkins University, has tracked what he describes as a “major deterioration” in Trump’s language skills, motor skills, and impulse control. “If you go back and look at film from the 1980s, [Trump] actually was extremely articulate… now he really has trouble completing a thought and that is a huge deterioration,” Gartner told The Guardian.

  What we basically have is a number of mental health professionals from the neice of Donald Trump to well known names like John Gartner, with a smattering of actual experts in dementia, weighing in with speculation that Trump has dementia. So has psychologist Harry Segal (here) and here. This is based on their observations of behavior that is often seen in people with early dementia. 

  Mary Trump has an edge because she can compare his behavior to his father’s.

  Nobody is able to put a percentage on the likelihood he has any kind of dementia. This much is certain: 

• Trump claimed a quick test called the MOCA proves he has no cogntive impairment. This test cannot diagnose dementia with any degree of certainty. It can suggest someone might, but even passing it doesn’t prove they don’t. It also should be noted that if someone is so inclined they can take sample tests online. It’s possible someone close to Trump knew he’d be given this test and made sure he practiced taking it.

• Trump says he passed his MRI with flying colors. A brain MRI cannot rule dementia in or out.

Neurologists, especially those who specialize in treating dementia patients, neuropsychologists who are also qualified, and many gerontologists, have had ample opportunity to observe Trump on television. 

One expert to go public with an assessment of Trump’s possible cognitive impairment is neuroscientist Bobby Azarian. He explained how Trump and Biden’s cognitive impairments were different here. (See his website.)

He wrote:

As a neuroscientist myself, the question I’m mulling is whether Trump’s suspected brain damage is only in the area associated with speech production, known as Broca’s area, or also in the region associated with language comprehension, known as Wernicke’s area. The kind of paraphasia Trump is demonstrating, which does not involve a nonsensical pattern of words, is more likely to be a problem related to speech production, which is a less serious cognitive impairment.

The Trump-related gaffes that are much more concerning to me involve Trump confusing one person for another, in a way that is not just the result of a name slip, but an actual confusion of one person for another.

Even if a hundred of them issued a statement that urged that, based on what they have been seeing of him, they urge in the strongest possible terms that he undergo a complete assessment for dementia, it wouldn’t make any difference.

Here’s a Chat-gpt4 description of what this would entail:

Complete Dementia Assessment Components

A complete dementia assessment typically involves a comprehensive evaluations to determine cognitive function, behavioral changes, and other health issues. This process often includes several key components:

1. Medical History Review

• Patient History: Gathering information about cognitive decline, memory loss, and any other symptoms.

• Family History: Investigating any family history of dementia or neurological disorders.

• Current Medications: Reviewing all medications to identify any that may affect cognition.

2. Physical Examination

• Neurological Exam: Assessing reflexes, coordination, sensory perception, and motor skills.

• Vital Signs: Measuring blood pressure, heart rate, and other essential health metrics.

3. Cognitive Assessments

• Standardized Tests: Using tools like the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) or the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) to evaluate memory, attention, and problem-solving abilities.

• Functional Assessments: Evaluating the ability to perform daily activities, which can provide insight into the extent of cognitive impairment.

4. Neuropsychological Testing

• This may include a more in-depth analysis of cognitive functions such as memory, language, and executive functioning, often conducted by a neuropsychologist.

5. Laboratory Tests

• Blood Tests: To rule out other causes of cognitive impairment (e.g., vitamin deficiencies, thyroid issues, infections).

• Imaging Studies: CT or MRI scans may be used to identify structural changes in the brain, such as atrophy associated with dementia.

6. Psychiatric Evaluation

• Assessment for Mood Disorders: Evaluating for depression or anxiety, which can coexist with dementia and complicate the diagnosis.

7. Caregiver and Family Input

• Gathering insights from family members or caregivers about changes in behavior or cognitive decline over time.

I wrote the following in January:

The crucial words are “may not have.” What has chnaged since then is that I see ore behavioral indications he may have dementia that I did in January. However, I continue to want to be tentative and not go out on a limb and say he probably has this tragic disease. If he does as I worte previously, time will tell since the disease always gets worse. 

As long as there are other explanations for his behavior some consider indications of dementia like stress or even a manic psychosis all we can do is wait and see.

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Trump reacts to bad poll numbers

 

Above is a photo of my TV this morning that I took as I was reading the article below:

Here’s the photo featured in the NY Times article online (subscription):

Here’s a better look at the print edition article (click image to enlarge):

Here’s the comment I posted on the RawStory article under the photo on the top of this page: “I doubt Trump or Miller or anyone else in the White House cares about Trump’s Latino approval rating. They figure that when there’s another election, if we have one, since their dictatorship will be controlling the country.”

As I write this there are 92 comments reacting to the RawStory article counting mine.

Here are the two posted just after I added mine (click the images to enlarge them):

Here are a few posted prior to mine:

You can see all the comments here.

If you read the first 10 comments and if you looked at this RawStory article together you’d probably find the sentiments I’d put into this Substack expressed. Here’s one last example:

Trump’s poll numbers are tanking:

I wonder if he really is secure enough in his belief that he will be in absolute control of the country before the election to make them meaningless. His recent decision to stop trying to block the release of the Epstein files suggests that he doesn’t care what’s in them even if they show he was his greatest enabler or if he personally ordered Epstein to be murdered in jail.

Trump may believe he’s untouchable. After all he’s done he’s still sitting high and mighty behind the Oval Office desk on what might as well be a royal throne while he orders the Pentagon to blow up people in speedboats, and has the GOP and world leaders kowtowing to him. 

I could flesh out this Substack but that wouldn’t add anything new. Instead I’ll try to make an AI image to illustrate it and then put it online. 

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