Were America’s 25th amendment to be used on Donald Trump, his ejectors would surely cite the monuments he is building to himself. “Me,” was Trump’s answer about the object of his proposed 250ft triumphal arch in Washington. That solved the riddle of which triumph that obelisk was meant to commemorate. Since the Freudian answer is “Arc de Trump”, the US public can take their minds off future glory in Iran or elsewhere. The same applies to the 90,000 sq ft ballroom that will take the place of the demolished White House east wing.
In the real world, there is scant chance Trump will be removed by his underlings for mental incapacity or anything else. Yet his detractors cite his self-branding mania as evidence of cognitive decline. In practice, Trump’s behaviour is constant. He has always put his name on things. In his view, it is good business practice.
But is there more to it than egotism? Those accused of TDS (Trump derangement syndrome) are already relishing the moment when those yet-to-be-built landmarks will be demolished. Clinical accuracy, however, would assign TDS to those who encourage Trump’s pharaonic dreams.