I am uninformed about "narcissistic injury" theory and I am instinctively skeptical of psychological analysis but this theory does offer a single explanation for the multitude of individuals who turned on Trump or who were turned upon by Trump.
With a body count as long as Trump's, one must conclude that the single consistent element is Trump himself. One is hard-pressed to believe that so many people have one weakness of character or another that causes them to fall out with Trump. Heretofore, I had thought that the problem was that Trump was simply a bad judge of character and and abrasive personality which was a toxic combination destined to cause personality conflicts. This theory offers another explanation.
I agree that Trump has done great things as president, causing me to adjust my initial negative assessment of him based on his biography and demeanor. Frankly, I was appalled by the rough treatment those of us who saw virtue in others received at the hands of Trump bots in this forum. I felt then and continue to feel that that represented an abandonment of reason for personality in a rather shameful episode. Nevertheless, I have come to approve of Trump's policies and more or less enured to his raw edges, as I expect most of the Republican Party has become.
Beyond that, I have taken the position that it is important for the rule of law that Trump be returned to office. If Trump is defeated by corrupt law enforcement we will have established a standard a political and juridical behavior that is ultimately fatal to a civil society.
I understand that one does not conduct successful politics by looking in the rearview mirror. Furthermore, I understand that we owe Trump nothing, the question is not whether Trump should get full justice personally but whether our constitutional system of politics and rule of law will be vindicated.
Further, I believe with you that Trump will get the nomination but of all the possible candidates that come readily to mind, Trump is not more certain to win. As much as he stimulates the Republican base, he is equally competent to excite the Democrat base. The media will play it's role to the hilt with Trump but it would be less biased against other Republicans. It simply would be a heavier lift for Trump.
The American mindset concerning Trump has been set and electioneering is unlikely to change how Trump is viewed. If his record in office did not redeem him in the eyes of the electorate and bring him a landmark victory, I doubt that Joe Biden's pathetic record will either. To the degree that elections are menus of hope as well as referenda on incumbents, a newcomer like DeSantis has an advantage.
In other words Trump would carry the disadvantages rather than the advantages of an incumbent without the advantages of a newcomer.
But Trump will take the nomination if he wants it and when he does, we owe it not to Donald Trump but to the country to support him to the hilt.
