Inside Trumps allornothing mindset

Inside Trump’s all-or-nothing mindset

TEHRAN - In Donald Trump’s world, a deal is rarely about negotiation. It is about showing who is in charge!

His background in real estate and branding shapes the way he negotiates. In business, especially high-stakes property deals, the goal is often to get the most advantage possible, push the other side to give in, and walk away if terms aren’t favorable. Flexibility is tactical, not principle-driven.

Many psychologists believe that Trump’s behavior shows signs of “malignant narcissism,” a combination of narcissistic personality disorder, antisocial behavior, paranoia, and sadism. Clinical psychologist Dr. John Gartner stated in 2017 that Trump suffers from an incurable disorder, the symptoms of which include aggressive, antisocial behavior, paranoia, and grandiosity.

According to Dan P. McAdams, a professor of psychology at Northwestern University, Trump is a narcissist who wants to win at any cost, but does not know why he is doing it.

Swedish psychotherapist Carl Petter Wierson points out that Trump uses the humiliation of others as a defense mechanism to preserve his grand self-image. This behavior is clearly evident in his interactions with global leaders, such as when he publicly rebuked Volodymyr Zelensky for not showing “gratitude.”

Philip S. Gorski, a sociologist at Yale University, believes that the election of Donald Trump may be the greatest threat to American democracy since the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Diplomacy, however, doesn’t work the way Trump chases, framing negotiations as black-and-white: winners versus losers, strength versus weakness, victory versus humiliation.

Such a zero-sum approach shows clearly in his dealings with Iran. His demands, from ending Iran’s nuclear program to limiting missile capabilities and regional influence, have often been presented as conditions Iran must accept, rather than starting points for discussion. On the other side, from Tehran’s perspective, these demands look like surrender, not compromise.

It’s obvious that just Trump does not want a strong deal -- most leaders do. The difference is that he doesn’t seem to allow the other side to feel like they’ve won anything. Below is some reasons to do so:

The psychology of ‘having it all’

Trump’s personal traits substantially affect his negotiating style. Analysts have often pointed out patterns in his behavior: a strong need for attention and praise, sensitivity to criticism, and a tendency to present himself as larger-than-life.

These qualities can lead to a style that demands everything he wants, even when some goals conflict. For example, he has sometimes called for the complete dismantling of Iran’s nuclear program while also suggesting limited enrichment might be okay!
Trump’s many rounds of negations with Iran has proved his “wanting it all” approach makes negotiations harder. Such talks can loop endlessly, with changing goals and no clear finish line.

Unpredictability and eroding trust

It is widely accepted that trust is the backbone of diplomacy, and consistency builds trust. Here, Trump’s record also raises concerns.

The U.S. withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal, despite Iran’s compliance at the time, is a defining moment. For Iranian officials, it confirmed the fear that agreements can be reversed whenever a new U.S. President comes in, especially one willing to break precedent!

Trump’s unpredictability has also worried allies. From Europe to Ukraine, sudden policy shifts, trade disputes, and criticism of traditional partners have created uncertainty. His approach has sometimes been described as a “backstab” style -- friendly one day, conditional the next--making long-term partnerships risky.
When agreements can be dropped or changed at any moment, their value is reduced.

Pressure as the main tool

Trump often uses pressure to get results--economic, political, and sometimes military. The “maximum pressure” campaign against Iran is a clear example. Iranian people, in that regard, never forget that U.S.-imposed sanctions have been increased dramatically in years, and aimed at forcing Tehran to agree to U.S.’s bullying terms.
Pressure can work, but when it’s the main tactic, it can backfire. If one side feels cornered, it may resist rather than concede, especially when pride and sovereignty are involved.

Image and performance

Trump isn’t just negotiating. He is also performing! His social repeated media posts, rallies, and public statements may turn diplomacy into a public show. It limits what the other side can do, because they also have to manage how their own public sees them.

For Iran, for example, where national pride and sovereignty matter deeply, this makes negotiations even harder. Any deal seen as humiliating could face strong internal backlash, even if it has practical benefits.

The limits of forceful diplomacy

Decades of unsolved hostilities between Iran and the U.S., suggest that the existing huge gap isn’t just political and ideological; it’s also about expectations.
Iran is unlikely to accept terms that look like surrender, and Trump is unlikely to accept a deal that doesn’t clearly show U.S. dominance.

Some analysts argue that under Trump, a truly “fair” agreement becomes almost impossible.

AM

source: tehrantimes.com