Decoding Donald Trump’s Social Media Obsession

Sophia Jones
Aug 24, 2017 · 3 min read

“Only the Fake News Media and Trump enemies want me to stop using Social Media “(110 million people). Only way for me to get the truth out!” Donald Trump exclaimed in a tweet while making a sly remark at his critics and the press who keep trying to show him the mirror. He joined the social networking site in 2009 and ever since he has been on a roll.

Many believe that his powerful social media game played a major role in ensuring his victory in the 2016 Elections. He himself once bragged about his tweets that he “understands it may be better than anybody, ever.” He has also referred to himself as, “the Ernest Hemingway of 140 characters”.

He was brash, accessible and put his real self forward. Instead of creating political videos and focusing on ads, he used tweets, live updates and short Instagram clips to his advantage. People like to see the real side of famous people. They identify with their (idol’s) idiosyncrasies and shortcomings. It also offers an opportunity for a direct interaction.

Dr. Bart Rossi, clinical psychologist who appears on various news channels is well-known for his political commentary on USA politics. “In my view he is a narcissist of a serious magnitude.” When you have millions of people following, reacting to your tweets, fighting with people who criticise you it is an ego boost. The instant gratification that social media offers can be extremely addictive, just like power.

President Trump needs to be the center of attention”, he says, “and if he sees something as true in his own mind then it has to be right in the real world.” He doesn’t shy away from speaking his mind be it truth or fiction.

After he claimed Muslims celebrated in New Jersey after 9/11 attacks, an intensive search for evidence (to back his claim) was fruitless. People on both side of the aisle say it never happened.. But that didn’t change what he says or tweets. “That’s just a complete fabrication and he seems to be able to say anything and get away with it,” Dr. Rossi said.

The authoritarian way of looking at it is that if you can control the media, you can control the people. If you can’t control the narrative, then create your own. He is doing exactly that by trespassing mainstream media and making himself heard directly to his audience.

Social media is a powerful weapon but it can be a double-edged sword. Trump social media escapades have not been short of controversies. His ‘Covfefe’ tweet had become the butt of jokes. There have been countless occasions where you have seen Trump go on a rant against what he describes as ‘fake news’ or making accusations against his political adversaries or strongly express his hatred or disapproval on several important issues.

Dr. Rossi noted that [be it at the White House or on social media] the people that he has surrounded himself with are people he can dominate. To the point that if President Trump says something is true — even if it isn’t — they then go and say it must be true because the President says so. To them, whatever he says it will always be right.

Quotes:
http://brossi.us/donald-trump-may-need-psychiatrist/
https://mic.com/articles/142564/we-asked-a-psychologist-whether-donald-trump-is-a-pathological-liar#.mIn0jRN0R

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