Dwain Northey (Gen X)

In the twisted brain of Donald J. Trump, the world operates on a single principle: if it doesn’t serve to glorify him, it must be rigged. This mindset has become a defining feature of his political and personal narrative, a convenient excuse for every loss, every criticism, and every measurable fact that doesn’t reflect the adoration he demands.

It started long before politics. Take the Emmys — when The Apprentice failed to win television’s most coveted award, Trump didn’t shrug and move on like a normal person. No, he declared the whole process rigged. In his mind, there was no way he could be passed over unless the system was corrupt. Never mind the quality of the show or the competition — the mere act of not honoring him became evidence of bias.

Fast forward to 2016: Trump won the presidency, but lost the popular vote by nearly 3 million. Most people might consider that a technical win and focus on the job at hand, but not Donald. Instead, he insisted — without a shred of credible evidence — that millions of people voted illegally. Why? Because the numbers dared to suggest not everyone loved him. So again, rigged.

Then came 2020. The loss was undeniable. Courts rejected his lawsuits. Recounts confirmed the results. State officials, including Republicans, stood by the count. But Trump didn’t lose — no, the election was stolen, rigged, manipulated. Why? Because his ego couldn’t process rejection. In Trump’s world, the idea that the American people might choose someone else is inconceivable.

Even when the economy falters or jobs numbers don’t shine a golden light on his legacy, he cries foul. The Bureau of Labor Statistics? Rigged. The media? Fake. The Fed? Disloyal. Truth itself is suspicious unless it flatters him.

What we’re left with is a man who views objective reality as a personal conspiracy. Data, institutions, and democratic norms are all subject to the same filter: Do they praise Donald? If yes, they are to be celebrated. If not, they are fraudulent. It’s not just delusion — it’s a dangerous, authoritarian trait that undermines trust in systems we all rely on. Because in Trump’s narcissistic brain, truth is not a fixed point — it’s a mirror. And if the reflection isn’t worshipful, the mirror must be broken.