Learning from a Mentally Ill President - PAUL KRUGMAN

 I followed Paul Krugman when he had a column in the New York Times. For years, he was the reason I had a subscription to the New York Times. There are only a few people highly skilled in international economics and macroeconomics who speak plainly and directly without haughtiness. 

You can find Paul Krugman on YouTube and his Substack Page 

I attached Paul Krugman’s Wikipedia Page below. 

James Pitcherella

Paul Krugman Substack

Learning from a Mentally Ill President

We need to deal with the powers and system that put him in power and keep him there

PAUL KRUGMAN

MAY 31, 2026

Transcript

The President of the United States is mentally ill, but everybody knows that. So while we should continue to focus on this degeneration taking place in front of our eyes, we should also, beyond that, ask what we can do about the powers, the interests, the system that put this horrifying person in a position of power.

Hi I’m Paul Krugman. First video update in a while.

It’s May 31st. If you have been following some of the news you may know that Trump’s mental deterioration, which has been obvious for quite a while, got even more extreme in the past few days. Tellingly, the things that are really driving him into more obvious dysfunction are things that are blows to his ego. I was especially struck — I was rattled actually — by his reaction to the wave of artists canceling out on the self-glorifying concert series he’s holding on the mall.

So, if you haven’t seen it, here’s what he said on Truth Social: That artists are “getting the yips” and

I am thinking about bringing the number one attraction anywhere in the world the man who gets much larger audiences than Elvis in his prime, and he does so without a guitar, the man who loves our country more than anyone else, and the man who some say is the greatest president in history, Donald J. Trump.

Oh my god. I would not want to trust this guy alone in a room, let alone running the world’s formerly greatest power, although he’s doing a lot to run that into the ground.

Okay, but we knew that, right? It’s not really a surprise to find out that he has lost his mind, what was left of it. And yet, he is in power. People who did a lot to put him in power did so, knowing this — the billionaires who contributed vast sums of money to his campaign, the Supreme Court which gave him immunity back in 2024 — they all knew who they were doing this for. They understood what they were doing. Now, maybe, even they are getting a bit of cold feet as as he goes over the edge and as we’re starting to see in Iran and elsewhere what happens when you have a lunatic running the United States, a lunatic who has far more power than a previous president because all of the normal institutional safeguards have been short-circuited or dismantled.

Still, they are continuing to support him, and they are continuing to do so not just in concrete ways, but verbally, which matters. They continue to cover for him.

Just the other day, Jeff Bezos — who is not an idiot; he has to know what he’s looking at — but he said, oh, Trump is much more mature than he was in his first term, which is obviously a complete lie. That is not what Jeff Bezos thinks. And it’s telling you that he is still providing cover.

The Supreme Court, although it’s been knocking back a few things, is for the most part continuing to give Trump treatment that it would never have accorded, not just to any Democratic president, but to any previous Republican president.

Okay, this is not coming out of thin air. These people — I’m not talking about Trump but people who are empowering him — are not stupid. Some of them are weak but they are also acting because they think there’s something in it for them.

All of this at some level is about money and power for people beyond Trump. And it’s made possible by the fact that there is so much money in the hands of a few people, many of whom turn out, not too surprisingly, to be terrible, insensitive, anti-democratic people themselves.

Obviously, we need to defang Trump as much as possible and make sure that neither he nor anybody who follows in his footsteps has power after the next two elections. But beyond that, we really need to do a thorough purging of the United States. We need a deMAGAfication. And I’m not going over the top by using a word that’s very similar to the denazification that we pursued successfully after World War II in Germany.

And it’s not just the MAGA ideology, but the whole structure of hugely unequal power, hugely unequal wealth that made this horrific moment possible.

It’s not going to be easy, and maybe it’s not going to be doable, but we have to try because this is a nightmare. This is a nightmare beyond, I think, even the worst fantasies of progressives, beyond the worst fantasies of conservatives who still have a conscience. (There still are plenty of those, but they’re no longer MAGA.)

This has to be turned around and we should not, above all, whitewash or forget this moment. This is where a lot of forces in America have been leading and if we don’t do something beyond just getting rid of Trump, it’s going to happen again.

Have a good rest of your weekend.

"Paul Robin Krugman (/ˈkrʊɡmən/ ^ⓘ KRUUG-mən;^[4][5] born February 28, 1953)^[6]is an American economist who is the Distinguished Professor of Economics at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York. He was a columnist for The New York Times from 2000 to 2024.^[7] In 2008, Krugman was the sole winner of the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences for his contributions to new trade theory and new economic geography.^[8] The Prize Committee cited Krugman's work explaining the patterns of international trade and the geographic distribution of economic activity, by examining the effects of economies of scale and of consumer preferences for diverse goods and services.^[9]

Krugman was previously a professor of economics at MIT, and later, at Princeton University from where he retired in June 2015, holding the title of professor emeritus there. He also holds the title of Centennial Professor at the London School of Economics.^[10] Krugman was President of the Eastern Economic Association in 2010,^[11] and is among the most influential economists in the world.^[12] He is known in academia for his work on international economics (including trade theory and international finance),^[13][14] economic geography, liquidity traps, and currency crises.

Krugman is the author or editor of 27 books, including scholarly works, textbooks, and books for a more general audience, and has published more than 200 scholarly articles in professional journals and edited volumes.^[15] He has also written several hundred columns on economic and political issues for The New York Times, Fortune and Slate. A 2011 survey of economics professors named him their favorite living economist under the age of 60.^[16] According to the Open Syllabus Project, Krugman is the second most frequently cited author on college syllabi for economics courses.^[17] As a commentator, Krugman has written on a wide range of economic issues including income distribution, taxation, macroeconomics, and international economics. Krugman considers himself a modern liberal, referring to his books, his blog on The New York Times, and his 2007 book The Conscience of a Liberal.^[18] His popular commentary has attracted widespread praise and criticism.^[19]

On December 6, 2024, New York Times opinion editor Kathleen Kingsburyannounced that Krugman was retiring as a Times columnist;^[20] His final column, titled 'Finding Hope in an Age of Resentment,' was published on December 9, 2024.^[21] Afterwards, Krugman began publishing a daily newsletter on Substack.^[22][23] The newsletter, titled "Paul Krugman," publishes most content for free while offering some exclusive items to paid subscribers. Krugman's wife, economist Robin Wells, serves as his editor for the newsletter. By mid-2025, the newsletter was reaching 350,000-450,000 readers per post. Krugman wrote there that he left the Times because his editors began to discourage him from writing columns that might "get some people (particularly on the right) riled up."^[24]”

^{MORE AT:}

Paul Krugman

Trump is a madman in control of nuclear missiles. Worldwide, people fear being vaporized in a nuclear fireball. If Trump dies, there will be a worldwide sigh of relief.

 To be clear, I want Trump to die in prison. I think his Secret Service protection should be beefed up to keep him alive so that he can enter prison. - James Pitcherella

Trump has frontotemporal dementia layered over his malignant narcissism, sociopathic sadism.

My mom died from dementia, Alzheimer’s. My dad & me visited her in a nursing home. A woman in a bed across the room quietly held a doll against her breast. The doll fell on the floor. My dad picked it up and handed it to her. She shouted, “Get your hands off me, or I’ll shoot you. I believe that woman had frontotemporal dementia.

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD), also known as frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD), is an umbrella term for a group of brain diseases that mainly affect the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. These areas of the brain are associated with personality, behavior and language.

In frontotemporal dementia, parts of these lobes shrink, known as atrophy. Symptoms of frontotemporal dementia depend on which part of the brain is affected. Some people with frontotemporal dementia have changes in their personalities. They may act in ways that seem socially inappropriate and may be impulsive or show less response to other people’s feelings. Others lose the ability to use or understand language.

“The term “malignant narcissism” was coined by psychoanalyst Erich Fromm in 1964. Fromm, a Holocaust survivor, suggested that malignant narcissism is a severe and destructive pathology that can lie at the heart of the inhumane acts exhibited by dictatorial tyrants such as Hitler and Stalin.

The concept of malignant narcissism was expanded by psychiatrist Otto Kernberg, who termed it a toxic combination of four highly dysfunctional traits and behaviors:

• Narcissism, with its grandiosity, lack of empathy, need for attention, and sense of entitlement.
• Antisocial behavior, with its lack of remorse, destructive and impulsive behavior, deceitfulness, and disregard for and violation of the rights of others.
• Paranoid thinking, with its sense of persecution, difficulty trusting others, preoccupation with others’ loyalty, tendency to bear grudges, and tendency to view benign actions of others as attempts at deception or exploitation.
• Sadism, with its cruelty, efforts to humiliate or manipulate others, and deriving enjoyment from others’ pain and suffering.

A day after Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi said she prayed for Donald Trump and the nation and wished his family and staff could stage an “intervention for the good of the country,” Congresswoman Speier told MSNBC, “The mental stability of the president of the United States is in question.”

Speier added, “There have been plenty of psychiatrists and psychologists who have observed him now for over two and a half years that have made the diagnosis from afar that he is a malignant narcissist.”

FROM:

Psychology Today

What Exactly Is “Malignant Narcissism”?

Dan Neuharth Ph.D., MFT

Narcissism Demystified

May 25, 2019

As Germany cut down the British Cavalry in World War I, Iranian soldiers will cut down the U.S. Army and U.S. Marines if the U.S. Military pursues a ground invasion of Iran.

Somebody tell the stock markets that the SECOND GREAT DEPRESSION HAS BEGUN.

Iran will prevail like a firebird rising from the ashes of this second great depression that Donald Trump has single-handedly begun. - James Pitcherella

 

It looks like we are going to war with Iran. We should know something about the country. I found a travel documentary of Iran. It's a beautiful country

I knew 2 people from Iran. They came here when the Iranian Revolution forced the Shah of Iran to flee to the United States.

James Pitcherella

I have a photo of Assi. Assi is from Iran. She stands at the far left of the photo below. Assi was the girlfriend of Toni Berger’s brother. Assi went to Italy and married an Italian man. 

This is the patio of my friends John Hubbard and Toni Berger’s home in Germantown, Philadelphia, PA. The cat’s name is Colman T. Berger. Colman ruled the neighborhood.

Their son Jamie Hubbard slurps on a popsicle. Sculptor Jim Llyod, with long hair, stands in the background.

Jamie is now Co-Founder & Creative Officer at Cause & Effect Productions. 

Jim Lloyd is at: Sculpture Light Source

Sculpture Light Source • Violette de Mazia Foundation

Clearlake Oaks, California, United States

Know that, as a distraction from the Epstein files, where his name appears many, many times, the alleged sex trafficker of children, Donald Trump, is going to kill many innocent Iranian citizens.

IRAN: A Hidden World Beyond the Headlines | Travel Documentary

When someone walking a dog appears on our street-facing security camera, I assume they’re carrying a gun. If confronted by armed, masked ICE agents, I fear my neighbors might shoot.

 

There is a long history of drug violence and murders in our city. White, Black, Spanish Speaking, Democrat, Republican, Independent, or non-voter, my neighbors are armed. Several carry guns routinely.

My wife was the Judge of Elections at Precinct 110 in Coatesville, PA, for 10 years. I was a Chester County Democratic Committeeperson in Ward 2, our neighborhood. 

We know our neighborhood.

The Trump Administration is eroding our Second Amendment rights.

“You can’t have guns,” President Trump.

Like all dictators, Trump will take guns away from citizens:

There is a long history of drug violence and murders in our city. White, Black, Spanish Speaking, Democrat, Republican, Independent, or non-voter, my neighbors are armed. Several carry guns routinely.

We live on Stirling Street in Coatesville, Chester County, PA, Voter Precinct 110. Our neighborhood, once White and solidly Republican, is now mostly Democratic and about ½ White.

Dictatorships cannot have armed citizens. It appears that the Trump Administration plans to take guns away from American citizens, undermining our Second Amendment rights. 

Cash Patel, Donald Trump, said people carrying holstered guns will be shot.

‘You can’t have guns. You can’t walk in with guns,’ Trump says of Alex Pretti’s killing.

Kristi Noem, Steven Miller, and Border Patrol chief Greg Bovino said that because Pretti was carrying a handgun and ammunition, he could be shot.

Pretti had a permit to carry a concealed handgun in Minnesota. His gun was locked in a holster until ICE agents removed it before assassinating Pretti.

James Pitcherella Substack:

When someone walking a dog appears on our street-facing security camera, I assume they’re carrying a gun. If confronted by armed, masked ICE agents, I fear my neighbors might shoot.

I believe Agent Ross planned the murder of Ms. Good. The crash of his cellphone, thrown down hard on the hood of Good’s car with his left hand, would be proof that he was hit by Ms. Good's vehicle.

 He switched his cellphone from his right hand to his left hand so that he could draw his gun. There is a crashing sound that appears to be Ross colliding with Ms. Good’s vehicle. 

Viewed from several angles, you can see that the crashing sound is Ross throwing his cellphone down hard on Ms. Good’s vehicle.

The New York Times

Video Analysis of ICE Shooting Sheds Light on Contested Moments

Newly available videos and existing footage synchronized and assessed by The Times provide a frame-by-frame look at how an ICE officer ended up shooting and killing a motorist in Minneapolis.

Jan. 15, 2026

Video Analysis of ICE Shooting Sheds Light on Contested Moments

UPDATED Most police officers would have instantly shot Eric Watson Jr. dead. Not in Coatesville, PA. “Even during the injuring of an officer, the rights of Eric were not breached,” Watson Sr. wrote.

 The Watson family had been trying to find Eric for the past two years, according to Laufer. When they heard the news, they traveled to the police station and apologized for his conduct...

THIS POST WAS ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED SEPTEMBER 26, 2021. 

I UPDATED IT WITH LINKS THAT WORK

 

AP Raw: Man Throws Large Rock at Police Cruiser

“In admiration, I want to commend the action taken by Officer Jared Davis by displaying professionalism beyond the norm in a time when madness seems to be the order of the day, and the lives of the officers in blue are in danger,” Watson Sr. wrote in his letter.

"Davis saw Watson approach him in his rearview mirror before Davis pulled over after driving a short distance. With the violence demonstrated toward Davis, Laufer said the officer could have justifiably used deadly force, but instead he used his judgment and pulled out his Taser – which he did not use.

“Even during the injuring of an officer, the rights of Eric were not breached,” Watson Sr. wrote.

Davis was recently verbally threatened in an unrelated incident.

Police said that Gerome Darnell Gray Jr., 22, of West Chester, allegedly threatened Davis July 9 when he attempted to disperse a group and arrested someone for disorderly conduct. According to the police and the criminal complaint, Gray reportedly said, “Davis, I’m going to f— you up.” 

“It is with regret and admiration that I write to your department,” Eric Watson Sr. began his letter.

Police said Officer Jared T. Davis was on patrol in a marked police vehicle when Eric L. Watson, 29, of Coatesville, allegedly threw a large rock at Davis’ vehicle, cracking the front windshield.

Police said during the struggle to get Watson to the ground to take into custody, an officer who assisted was injured.

“The regret is that your Officer (Detective) Joseph Thompson was injured in a confrontation with my son Eric Watson,” said Watson Sr. “I would like to extend my sincere apology to the injured officer, his family and your department at this time.”

Thompson suffered from a fractured sternum. He was treated at Paoli Hospital.

“This apology I also extend to Officer Jared Davis who must have been traumatized by the experience of being attacked by Eric,” Watson Sr. said.

Coatesville police Chief Jack Laufer said when the police hear an apology, it is usually verbal.

“We don’t often get a personal apology from a family member,” Laufer said, including letters.

Both of Eric Watson’s parents apologized in person to police.

Watson Sr. thanked Davis, the Coatesville Police Department officers and the leadership by Laufer for their professionalism during the incident and their assistance afterward.

“In admiration, I want to commend the action taken by Officer Jared Davis by displaying professionalism beyond the norm in a time when madness seem to be the order of the day and the lives of the officers in blue are in danger,” Watson Sr. wrote in his letter.

This incident occurred in the midst of national protests after police shootings in July that killed Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge, La., and Philando Castile in St. Paul, Minn., both black men. The assault on the Coatesville officer also came after police were killed, three in Baton Rouge and five in Dallas, in addition to those injured.

Laufer said they learned that this incident did not occur as an act of hate toward police. He said the letter showed that. He said when the community read the letter they were reassured of that and it reinforced that it was not a direct attack on law enforcement or the Coatesville police.

“I think it makes the city feel better,” Laufer said. “Was it a violent crime? Yes and he’ll have to answer for his actions. Maybe this will help him to get the help he needs.”

The Watson family had been trying to find Eric for the past two years, according to Laufer. When they heard the news, they traveled to the police station and apologized for his conduct, Laufer said. He informed Thompson, who is home recovering for the next several weeks, about the letter. Thompson told him he appreciated the note.

“They’re a good, solid family with connections to law enforcement and the military,” Laufer said about the Watson family. “Being in law enforcement (the father) appreciated how bad it could have been.”

Davis saw Watson approach him in his rearview mirror before Davis pulled over after driving a short distance. With the violence demonstrated toward Davis, Laufer said the officer could have justifiably used deadly force, but instead he used his judgment and pulled out his Taser – which he did not use.

“Even during the injuring of an officer, the rights of Eric were not breached,” Watson Sr. wrote.”

SEE:

Father of man who allegedly threw rock at patrol vehicle writes heartfelt letter

FOX 29 Philadelphia

Coatesville, Pa. (WTXF) The father of a man who allegedly threw a rock at a Coatesville patrol vehicle in July wrote a letter to the police department in which he expressed his sincere apology and commended the officer for his actions.

The incident happened when Officer Jared Davis was on patrol as a male walked off the sidewalk from in front of the library and threw an object, according to police.

READ MORE: VIDEO: Man throws rock at Coatesville patrol vehicle

Dashcam footage shows the man hitting the vehicle shattering front windshield. Police say Davis was attempting to exit his patrol vehicle when the male allegedly attacked, attempting to strike him in the head with the same rock. Police identified the man as Eric Watson Jr.

Watson's mother drove from North Carolina and his father flew from Jamaica--simply to say sorry.

With permission from the family, the department posted the father's heartfelt letter to Facebook. In the letter, the man's father wrote that he apologized for his son's alleged actions. In addition, he said that he admired the action taken by officer Jared Davis by displaying professionalism beyond the norm.

The City of Coatesville Police Department wrote that they hope that all involved parties see this as an opportunity to move forward in a positive direction.

It turns out, Watson's family with a long history of military and law enforcement hadn't seen him in years until they saw news clips of him last week.