Trump's irrational rant - What does Google's Gemini say about his mental state?

Trump recently produced a remarkable rant that is, to put it politely, nothing short of unhenged, irrational and indicative of a man who perceives his world is beginning to crumble beneath his imaginary bone spurs. It is so demonstrably desperate of a person who is convinced his saying it will make it true, I asked Google's Gemini to analyze it. 

Here's the rant. After it, see my queries and what Gemini had to say:

"There has never been a President that has worked as hard as me! My hours are the longest, and my results are among the best. I’ve stopped Eight Wars, saving many millions of lives in the process, created the Greatest Economy in the History of our Country, brought Business back into the United States at levels never seen before, rebuilt our Military, created the Largest Tax Cuts and Regulation Cuts, EVER, closed our open and very dangerous Southern Border, when previous Administrations were unable to do so, and created an “aura” around the United States of America that has led every Country in the World to respect us more than ever before. In addition to all of that, I go out of my way to do long, thorough, and very boring Medical Examinations at the Great Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, seen and supervised by top doctors, all of whom have given me PERFECT Marks — Some have even said they have never seen such Strong Results. I do these Tests because I owe it to our Country. In addition to the Medical, I have done something that no other President has done, on three separate occasions, the last one being recently, by taking what is known as a Cognitive Examination, something which few people would be able to do very well, including those working at The New York Times, and I ACED all three of them in front of large numbers of doctors and experts, most of whom I do not know. I have been told that few people have been able to “ace” this Examination and, in fact, most do very poorly, which is why many other Presidents have decided not to take it at all. Despite all of this, the time and work involved, The New York Times, and some others, like to pretend that I am “slowing up,” am maybe not as sharp as I once was, or am in poor physical health, knowing that it is not true, and knowing that I work very hard, probably harder than I have ever worked before. I will know when I am “slowing up,” but it’s not now! After all of the work I have done with Medical Exams, Cognitive Exams, and everything else, I actually believe it’s seditious, perhaps even treasonous, for The New York Times, and others, to consistently do FAKE reports in order to libel and demean  “THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.” They are true Enemies of the People, and we should do something about it. They have inaccurately reported on all of my Election Results and, in fact, were forced to apologize on much of what they wrote. The best thing that could happen to this Country would be if The New York Times would cease publication because they are a horrible, biased, and untruthful “source” of information. Thank you for your attention to this matter. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!"

Sandspur: What does it suggest in terms of Trump's mental state?

Psychological experts who have analyzed Donald Trump's language, including posts like the one provided, suggest it indicates traits consistent with 

narcissism, paranoia, and potentially cognitive decline. 

Key Suggested Traits

• Grandiose Narcissism: The post is rich with self-aggrandizing statements and superlatives ("hardest," "longest," "best," "Greatest Economy") that mental health professionals often point to as signs of narcissistic personality disorder. He expresses a need for constant admiration and has a very high opinion of himself, suggesting he feels superior to others.
• Paranoia and Defensiveness: Trump's strong reaction to criticism and his characterization of The New York Times and others as "Enemies of the People" who engage in "seditious, perhaps even treasonous" FAKE reports can be seen as indicators of paranoia. The heightened anger and quick reaction to criticism are also considered characteristic traits.
• Need for Control and Lack of Empathy: The text's aggressive tone, heavy use of capital letters, and focus on personal power and achievement are often interpreted as a desire for control and a potential lack of empathy.
• Potential Cognitive Decline: Linguistic analyses have noted an increase in "all-or-nothing thinking" (use of words like "never," "always") and a less positive vocabulary in his recent communications, which some experts link to potential cognitive decline. The use of rambling or unfocused statements and a focus on specific, concrete details like the "Great Walter Reed National Military Medical Center" or the "large numbers of doctors and experts" could also be seen as potential indicators by some experts, as it mimics speech patterns observed in some patients with dementia. 

Sandspur - FYI

A Man tough to Describe

 Trump - a complex individual that can't be described in just a few words. 

But here's a try: 

Corrupt, Immoral, Deceitful, Dishonest, Unethical, Treacherous, Sinful, Hypocritical, Ruthless, Malicious, Arrogant, Selfish, Greedy, Liar, Narcissistic, Cruel, Callous, Vindictive, Manipulative, Spiteful, Jealous, Toxic, Abusive, Exploitative, Predatory, Bullying, Domineering, Intolerant, Oppressive, Untrustworthy, Devious, Angry, Bitter, Resentful, Hateful, Hostile, Cold, Vicious, Petty, Brutal, Villainous, Monstrous, Tyrannical, Criminal, Dishonorable, Inhumane, Malevolent, Destructive, Perfidious, Wicked, Nefarious, Odious, Execrable, Ignoble, Abominable, Depraved, Vile, Loathsome, Contemptible, Reprobate, Miscreant, Blackguard, Knave, Wretch, Scoundrel, Villain, Rogue, Fiend, Charlatan, Degenerate, Diabolical, Maleficent, Pernicious, Iniquitous, Heinous, Atrocious, Detestable, Abhorrent, Flagitious, Putrid, Apish, Pestilent, Abject, Sordid, Infamous, Crude, Con Man, Weak, Cheater, Uneducated, Felonious, Pedophile, Rapist, Flatulent, Unprincipled, Immature, Old, Stupid, Incompetent, Pigish, Deeply Flawed, Unfaithful, Base, Foul, Morbidly obese, Uses Face Paint, and Smells.

You're welcome,

PS. All gloves are off regarding this incredibly flawed human. 

MAGA, wake up for Pete's sake. Wait ... no ... wake up for America's sake.

Sandspur

Why Illegal Orders Must NOT Be Obeyed

 

Hank Honig posted this on Facebook a few days ago. It refers to and reprints a great explanation regarding how the U. S. Military defines and follows legal command orders as opposed to those which are not. As he says, it's offered as a "Public Service" in light of today's news concerning the United States Defense Dept. destroying boats and killing those aboard that MAY be involved in illegal drugs purportedly headed to the U.S. It's an important read.
November 29 at 2:21 PM 

Thanks to JoJo Liszbet for the best explanation of why illegal orders must not be obeyed

Good Morning! Just a PSA to those who have never been in the service and a “reminder” to those who have or are currently serving.

What an Illegal Order Actually Is —

People are yelling “treason!” at Senator Mark Kelly for reminding troops of something every recruit learns on DAY ONE:

-----------------------

Under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), U.S. service members must obey lawful orders — and must refuse unlawful ones.

That isn’t “treason.”

That isn’t “defiance.”

That isn’t “undermining the chain of command.”

That is literally the LAW.

It’s the cornerstone of military professionalism.

And since so many folks are pretending they suddenly don’t understand what an “illegal order” is, let’s do the work they refuse to do and walk people through it.

1. What the UCMJ actually says about unlawful orders

Under Articles 90, 91, and 92 of the UCMJ, troops must follow lawful orders.

But the military’s own doctrine is even clearer:

Troops must refuse “manifestly unlawful orders.”

If they follow an illegal order, THEY can be prosecuted.

“Just following orders” is not a defense. That principle comes straight from post-WWII law and is baked into every modern military on Earth.

The idea is simple:

The U.S. military follows the Constitution and the law — not the whims of a politician.

So what’s an illegal order?

Let’s be specific.

2. What makes an order illegal? (The real definition)

An order is illegal when it requires a service member to:

• Use lethal force where lethal force is not legally justified

• Harm civilians or noncombatants

• Break domestic criminal law

• Violate the Law of Armed Conflict

• Treat noncombatants as enemy combatants

• Use military power as law enforcement without legal authorization

• Engage in disproportionate or unnecessary force

• Commit acts prohibited by treaty or U.S. statute

These standards don’t disappear because a president gets angry, or because social media influencers yell about “toughness.”

The law doesn’t care about vibes.

3. When is it LEGAL to fire on vessels?

This is where it becomes obvious why people are suddenly uncomfortable.

Under U.S. and international maritime law, you can only use lethal force against a vessel if:

A. The vessel poses an imminent threat

Examples:

• It is firing on U.S. forces

• It is attempting to ram

• It is demonstrating clear hostile intent

B. The vessel is a lawful military target in an armed conflict

This only applies if:

• The U.S. is in a declared or authorized war

• The vessel is an enemy warship or armed combatant

We are NOT in an armed conflict with Venezuela.

C. The vessel refuses lawful commands and poses a threat that cannot be handled by non-lethal means

Even in law-enforcement situations (like drug interdiction), the rules are strict:

• You must hail the vessel

• You must attempt non-lethal compliance measures

• You must try to board

• You must escalate force only when absolutely necessary

• Lethal force is LAST resort and only if there is a threat to life

Drug smuggling suspicion does not make someone a combat target.

Ever.

4. What is NOT legal?

Here’s what is not allowed:

Shooting a boat because it “might” have drugs

Destroying a vessel because it fled

Using lethal force as a shortcut to interdiction

Treating smugglers as enemy combatants

Blowing up civilian vessels in international waters

Acting like the high seas are a free-fire zone

Using military force without congressional authorization

None of that becomes legal just because the administration spins it after the fact.

5. Now let’s talk about the Venezuelan boats.

The government is now publicly admitting that U.S. forces have shot Venezuelan vessels out of the water, with the justification that they were “drug boats.”

Even if they were, that doesn’t magically transform those boats into:

• Combatants

• Military targets

• Enemy vessels

• Armed threats

Drug smuggling is a CRIME.

It is not an act of war.

There is no legal theory under which drug suspicion authorizes sinking a vessel.

Which means:

If troops were ordered to destroy those boats without an imminent threat, that is a manifestly illegal order.

Exactly the kind of thing the UCMJ requires troops to refuse.

And this is why the people screaming “treason!” at Mark Kelly don’t want to talk about details. Because once you understand what an illegal order actually is, you realize this isn’t abstract at all.

Some of these orders may already be crossing the line.

6. Why the political outrage is backwards

Telling troops:

“You must refuse illegal orders”

is not treason.

Ordering troops:

“Shoot that boat even though we’re not in a war, it’s not a threat, and the law doesn’t allow it”

—that’s the thing the UCMJ is designed to prevent.

It’s not complicated:

• Lawful orders must be obeyed

• Unlawful orders must be refused

• Political fantasies do not override law

• Congress controls war, not the president

• The U.S. military is loyal to the Constitution, not individuals

If ExSeth’s Department of Defense is leaning into a “shoot first” posture that doesn’t follow maritime law, then they’re the ones issuing potentially illegal orders, not the people warning troops to follow the law.

7. Final point

You don’t fix the military by telling troops to obey illegal orders.

You fix the military by making sure the people giving orders understand the law — or are replaced if they don’t.

This isn’t treason.

This is civics.

And the people yelling the loudest are the ones most afraid you’ll learn it.

Trumpism cracking?

Did you know that:

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered Special Operations to kill the survivors of a September 2 strike on a small boat off Venezuela, and the Senate and the House Armed Services Committees have announced they intend to conduct “vigorous oversight” and “gather a full accounting” of the operation.

Did you know that:
Former judge advocate generals (JAGs), military lawyers, in the Former JAGs Working Group issued a statement declaring that it unanimously “considers both the giving and the execution of these orders, if true, to constitute war crimes, murder, or both,” and called for “anyone who issues or follows such orders [to] be prosecuted for war crimes, murder, or both.”

Did you know that:
Hegseth purged J(Judge) A(Advocate) G(General)s from the Army and Air Force and systematically dismantled the military’s legal guardrails. And that, “Had those guardrails been in place,” they wrote, “we are confident they would have prevented these crimes.”

Did you know that:
A Gallup poll released yesterday shows President Donald J. Trump’s job approval rating at 36% with disapproval at 60%, and that since last month, Trump’s approval has plummeted 11 points.

Did you know that:
Republicans’ approval of Trump has fallen seven points to a second-term low, while approval among Independents has fallen eight points to its lowest point in either term.

Did you know that:
Trump’s threat to attack Venezuela attracts the support of only 30% of Americans. Seventy percent oppose such military action.

Did you know that:
Only 55% of those who voted for Trump in 2024 see themselves as MAGA and that 38% do not consider themselves as MAGA and are less enamored of him than are his MAGA loyalists.

Did you know that:
Florida governor Ron DeSantis, a Republican, recently joined California governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, in speaking out against the Trump administration’s plan to offer up to 34 offshore drilling leases off the coasts of Alaska, California, and Florida.

Did you know that:
Indiana state senator Greg Walker, a Republican who is standing firm on his refusal to vote in favor of redistricting, said, “I was taught as a child the difference between right and wrong,” Walker told The (Columbus) Republic, “and this is just wrong on so many levels.”

Did you know that:
Walker also said, "The president trying to save his own skin by holding a majority in Congress,” and, “It’s so that he’s not impeached again. That’s all this (mid-decade redistricting) is about.”

(All the above is from Heather Cox Richardson, Letters from an American <heathercoxrichardson@substack.com>

USMC Helicopter Support in Vietnam Congressional Gold Medal Act

If you are a Marine, served in Vietnam, and flew or worked in a helicopter squadron, you'll want to read this. It's a little long for a social media post, so find a comfy place with good lighting and take your time. It's probably one of the most definitive renditions of the role we played "in country," including the places and battles, all with stark numbers that define the missions we had in cold reality. It's the writeup, i.e., "Findings," that has been included with the proposed act mentioned above under consideration by Congress now as H.R.5939.