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Opinion | Donald Trump The Running Idiot

For many Americans, his policies feel like betrayal—leaving them with not just financial burdens, but mental and emotional scars.
Donald Trump's dancing moves as a celebration © CHIP SOMODEVILLA / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP

In a world of soundbites and scandals, it’s easy to overlook the deeper consequences of political decisions. But when the President, Donald Trump, turned the U.S. away from global partnerships and made sweeping executive actions, the cost wasn’t just political. It was personal.

For many Americans, his policies feel like betrayal. Leaving them with not just financial burdens, but mental and emotional scars.

David French’s recent New York Times opinion piece, Donald Trump Is Running Riot,” analyzed Trump’s erratic decision-making.

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But let’s call it what it is: chaos.

If I misread that headline as “Donald Trump The Running Idiot,” perhaps it’s because his choices often seemed detached from the real-world consequences they inflicted on Americans, especially in mental health and healthcare.

Gut Punch Politics

Social media is filled with regretful Trump voters saying things like, “He LIED to us, it feels like a gut punch!”

This sentiment reflects more than political disappointment; it represents the emotional weight of broken promises.

For example, when Trump announced the withdrawal of the U.S. from the World Health Organization (WHO), many Americans felt abandoned during a global health crisis.

The WHO coordinates international efforts to fight pandemics, manage disease outbreaks, and support vulnerable populations.

By severing ties, Trump didn’t just isolate the U.S.; he jeopardized the health of millions.

Healthcare workers, already burdened by burnout, were left feeling unsupported.

They saw a leader prioritizing politics over lives, as the COVID-19 pandemic exposed the cracks in the system.

Nurses, doctors, and mental health professionals bore the brunt of these failures, facing limited resources, increasing patient loads, and a growing mental health crisis among their ranks.

Mental Health Crisis Under Trump’s Watch

The president’s policies didn’t just harm the healthcare system, they amplified the mental health crisis.

Consider these key impacts:

  • Pandemic Misinformation: Trump’s dismissive attitude toward COVID-19 precautions sowed confusion and fear. Mixed messages about masks, vaccines, and the virus itself left Americans divided and anxious.
  • Isolationism: His decision to leave the WHO and downplay global partnerships sent a clear message: the U.S. was on its own. For those struggling with mental health, this lack of unity only deepened feelings of isolation and helplessness.
  • Economic Anxiety: Trump’s erratic trade wars and tax policies disproportionately hurt working-class Americans. Economic instability is directly linked to mental health struggles like anxiety and depression.

The Cost of Broken Promises

One of the most common comments from disillusioned Trump supporters is that his presidency felt like a betrayal.

Many who voted for him hoped he would “drain the swamp” and fight for the average American.

Instead, his actions often benefited the wealthy and politically connected.

For instance, his promises to reduce healthcare costs never materialized.

Instead, many Americans faced higher premiums and greater uncertainty, particularly after efforts to dismantle the Affordable Care Act.

Mental health services, already underfunded, became even harder to access as Medicaid expansion was threatened and insurance reimbursements for behavioral health providers remained low.

Healthcare and Mental Health: The Long-Term Damage

Healthcare isn’t just a policy, it’s deeply personal. Trump’s decisions left millions of Americans wondering whether they’d have access to basic care.

For those in rural areas or underserved communities, the loss of funding for programs like mental health clinics and addiction treatment will be devastating.

Mental health workers also felt the strain. As one nurse put it during the pandemic, “We’re expected to save lives, but no one is saving us.”

Trump’s chaotic leadership style and lack of support for frontline workers exacerbated burnout, leading many to leave the profession altogether.

Completely oblivious to the fact that 800,000 registered nurses are expected to leave the workforce by 2027.

A Call for Accountability

It’s easy to laugh at the missteps of a leader like Trump, headlines like “The Running Idiot” practically write themselves.

But the consequences of his actions are no joke. From healthcare workers struggling to keep up, to families navigating the fallout of lost jobs and rising medical costs, Trump’s legacy is a reminder of the damage a self-serving leader can do.

If there’s one lesson to take away from this, it’s that leadership matters. Policies have real-world consequences.

Trump’s continued presidency only underscores the urgent need for accountability, investment in mental health and healthcare infrastructure, and a focus on prioritizing the well-being of all Americans, not just a political base.

As one regretful Trump supporter said, “It feels like a gut punch.” For many, it still is.

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