‘Translation’ of Donald Trump’s January 8, 2020, Speech, Following Iranian Missile Attack

This was not an easy “translation” to do — emotionally rather than technically (after all, as an American, I bear some responsibility for what is revealed, but it was not enough to compromise the analysis, as far as I can tell). Again, these interpretations are analyses of what Donald Trump himself is telling us about himself and his actions, largely using his own words. Far from “making it up,” I am strictly applying a “formula” I have derived from understanding his defense mechanisms, including denial, deflection, projection, and reaction formation, over time…