Trump’s Narcissism and Nationalism Lights the Fuse for Political Violence
Delray Beach, FL – Truth Wins Out today announced its full support and solidarity with the “No Kings” rallies taking place across the United States in protest of Donald Trump’s nationalist agenda and grotesque military parade in the nation’s capital. The rallies stand in stark contrast to Trump’s egomaniacal, authoritarian spectacle—an event that more closely resembles the glorification of strongmen in autocratic regimes than a celebration of American democracy.
“The American presidency is not a throne, and the military does not exist to serve a man’s vanity,” said Wayne Besen, Executive Director of Truth Wins Out. “Truth Wins Out joins millions of Americans in saying clearly: We are a nation of laws, not one man. No kings. No dictators. No Donald Trump parades.”
“President Trump’s toxic stew of malignant narcissism and twisted nationalism is America’s biggest national security threat,” Besen continued. “Trump’s military parade/birthday bash is not a show of strength—it’s a desperate display of insecurity and a chilling sign of his authoritarian ambitions. This is what dictators do: they roll tanks down the street to stroke their egos, intimidate dissenters, and project fake power. It’s un-American and dangerously out of step with the values of a democratic republic.”
As patriotic Americans gather peacefully today to reject authoritarianism and uphold democratic norms, Donald Trump is using taxpayer dollars and the armed forces to stage a cult-like show of force. The military ego parade will cost tens of millions of dollars, while the unnecessary National Guard and Marine deployments to intimidate California protesters are estimated to cost about $134 million.
Equally disturbing, Trump is hawking MAGA merchandise at Fort Bragg—a gross politicization and exploitation of the military that violates longstanding norms of civilian-military relations. One item for sale included bogus credit cards branded “White Privilege Card: Trumps Everything”.
“This isn’t patriotism—it’s propaganda,” said TWO’s Besen. “Selling Trump-branded gear on military bases is an obscene, dystopian low. It’s the kind of political coercion we expect in authoritarian states—not on U.S. soil.”
Truth Wins Out warns that Trump’s escalating rhetoric and glorification of power are not merely symbolic—they are part of a broader strategy to divide, destabilize, and delegitimize the American democratic system. Trump has repeatedly used dehumanizing and inflammatory language to vilify his political opponents, calling them “scum,” “lunatics,” “deranged,” “Marxists,” and “communists.”
Examples include:
- On X (formerly Twitter), Trump posted: “The Marxists and Communists have taken over our government. We need to take it back.”
- At a May 2025 rally in Pennsylvania, Trump raged: “These lunatics are destroying our country. They are not opposition, they are enemies of the state.”
- In April, he referred to judges who ruled against him as “deranged, mentally ill scum who should be removed.”
Such rhetoric is not mere hyperbole—it is dangerous incitement. Today’s “politically motivated” horrific shooting of two Minnesota lawmakers and family members is the tragic and inevitable consequence of a political climate poisoned by hatred, fear, and dehumanization.
The shooter, who is on the lam, had a political manifesto. A senior state official said investigators “have reason to believe” the gunman had planned to target one of the “No Kings” rallies planned today.
“Trump and his enablers in the GOP are not just dividing the nation—they are lighting the fuse of political violence,” said TWO’s Besen. “When you call your opponents ‘scum’ and ‘enemies,’ you are telling unstable individuals that violence is justified. This is not leadership—it’s incitement.”
Trump’s behavior today echoes some of the darkest chapters in history. In attempting to mimic authoritarian leaders with displays of military might, in undermining public institutions, and in targeting dissent with venomous rhetoric, Trump is unraveling the fragile threads of democratic governance.
Truth Wins Out urges all Americans—regardless of political affiliation—to stand up against the normalization of fascistic tactics, the degradation of public discourse, and the erosion of democracy. The moment demands moral courage, civic responsibility, and unwavering opposition to authoritarianism in all its forms.
About Truth Wins Out:
Truth Wins Out is a non-profit organization dedicated to fighting right-wing extremism, exposing the political and religious forces that promote bigotry and authoritarianism, and advocating for LGBTQ+ equality and civil liberties.
Media Contact:
Wayne Besen, Executive Director
wbesen@truthwinsout.org
www.TruthWinsOut.org
