In my opinion, the late, great Richard Thompson was a genius. He had this uncanny way of capturing grown-up emotions through the lens of a child. This particular cartoon nails how bullying can be used to get your way — and let’s be honest, that’s not a tactic exclusive to kids. (Major understatement.)
Case in point: Trump’s verbal attack on Somalis, especially Somali immigrants in the United States.
- In a December 2025 cabinet meeting, he reportedly called Somali immigrants “garbage,” said he did not want them in the country, and urged that many be sent back.
- He claimed Somali immigrants “contributed nothing” to the U.S. while relying on aid — remarks broadly described as disparaging and demeaning.
- He also attacked Ilhan Omar — a U.S. Congresswoman of Somali origin — calling her “garbage” too.
Why does he say things like this?
People disagree about why Trump uses name-calling and insults, but most analysts agree it’s a deliberate communication style rather than random childishness. Here are the main explanations political psychologists and communication experts give:
1. It’s a strategy to dominate the conversation
Trump often uses insults to establish dominance and frame opponents before they can frame him.
- Nicknames like “Sleepy Joe,” “Little Marco,” or “Crooked Hillary” stick in the public mind.
- It simplifies complex political battles into easy-to-remember labels.
- This is a classic tactic in branding and marketing: reduce your opponent to a memorable caricature.
2. It energizes his base
Many of his supporters enjoy the blunt, confrontational style because they see it as:
- “Saying what others are afraid to say”
- Rejecting political correctness
- Punching back at elites or institutions they dislike
For this audience, the insults come across as authentic rather than childish. If you notice, it’s the same technique that’s employed in a WWE wresting match.
3. It keeps him at the center of media attention
Outrage generates headlines. Headlines generate attention.
Trump learned early that provocative comments guarantee:
- Media coverage
- Social media virality
- Control of the news cycle
Political consultants note that Trump is extremely effective at using controversy to stay relevant.
4. It’s consistent with his personality style
Psychologists who study public behavior point to traits often associated with his style:
- Aggressiveness
- High competitiveness
- Low impulse inhibition
- Preference for conflict over cooperation
These traits make personal attacks feel natural to him, not unusual.
5. It’s a defensive mechanism
Some experts say the insults function as preemptive defense.
If Trump feels challenged, threatened, or criticized, he often attacks first, redirects blame, and frames the critic as weak, dishonest, or inferior. This can look childish, but it also serves a psychological purpose: maintaining control and avoiding vulnerability.
6. It reflects the influence of entertainment culture
Trump spent decades in tabloid media, reality TV, wrestling promotions, and high-conflict branding battles. Those environments reward trash talk, drama, and persona building. His political style borrows heavily from those worlds.
So why does he act so childish?
- From a psychological angle, it’s a mix of personality, strategy, and learned behavior.
- From a political angle, it works for him. Consistent with the ideals of his base. Helps him dominate the narrative.
- From a personal angle, I think he genuinely prefers a confrontation over diplomacy. That he actually enjoys conflict.
So what’s the point of this post?
While Trump’s communication style may work to his advantage, it results in real harm—fueling division among friends and families who were once close. His rhetoric often triggers an amygdala response—what psychologists call an AMYGDALA HIJACK—similar to the shock tactics wrestlers use to stir a crowd. But what works in entertainment shouldn’t be a tool for political popularity.
My hope is that once you can “see the man behind the curtain,” some of the mystique will fade. You’ll feel less triggered, and the language will begin to lose its grip. When you understand the strategy behind the rhetoric, it becomes easier to stop taking the emotional bait. And once you’re no longer caught in that cycle, those words lose much of their power to drive wedges between you and the people you care about.