Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Donald Trump's 'narcissistic ego' makes him unfit US President, Democrat politician warns

'He is, in my opinion, a dangerous president. I'm not sure of his mental state, but I know that he doesn't portray someone who is in control of his faculties,' says Democrat lawmaker

Maya Oppenheim
Thursday 23 February 2017 09:19 EST
Comments
Mr Yarmuth argues world leaders are 'totally freaked out' by the US commander-in-chief because they did not know what to take seriously
Mr Yarmuth argues world leaders are 'totally freaked out' by the US commander-in-chief because they did not know what to take seriously (AFP/Getty)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A Kentucky Democrat lawmaker has become the latest person to openly question President Donald Trump’s mental state.

John Yarmuth suggested the billionaire property developer is “totally unfit” to serve as President and argued he is “dangerous”.

Mr Yarmuth, who is serving his fifth term as a congressman, said the President did not look like someone who is in control of his "faculties". He said Mr Trump is not concerned with what happens after his round of applause stops and appears incapable of thinking through the consequences of his actions.

“He is demonstrating on a daily basis that he totally unfit for the office he serves in," Mr Yarmuth said in a speech to a local division of the NAACP.

"He is, in my opinion, a dangerous president. I'm not sure of his mental state, but I know that he doesn't portray someone who is in control of his faculties."

The Democrat expressed his concerns about the lack of political experience of those in the Trump cabinet, arguing the US is in “unchartered territory”. Mr Trump is the first person to be elected as US President with zero political or military experience.

“He seems unwilling and or incapable of thinking about or considering what happens after he acts or says something. He doesn’t consider the ramifications of what he does and in that realm, it’s always about what happens next. He doesn’t ever seem to think about the consequences”.

"He doesn't seem to care about what happens once the applause stops. He seems to be in it solely for the applause, and that's what somebody with his ego and narcissism would be," he added. “That’s really bad for the country.”

Mr Yarmuth argued world leaders were “totally freaked out” by the US commander-in-chief because they did not know what to take seriously.

Earlier in February, 35 mental health professionals, including psychiatrists, psychologists and social workers, signed an open letter warning Mr Trump’s mental state “makes him incapable of serving safely as president”.

While it is generally frowned upon among the profession of psychiatry to offer a professional opinion of the mental state of a public figure they have not examined in person, as dictated by a passage in the American Psychiatric Association’s code of ethics known as the Goldwater rule. However, writing in a letter to the New York Times, the doctors said they had decided it was necessary to break their silence on the issue because they were worried “too much is at stake”.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in