Ursula: The real ‘Trump Derangement Syndrome’ is not what you think

Every time Gee and I criticize President Trump or his administration, some listeners text in with that tired refrain: “You’ve got Trump Derangement Syndrome.”

It used to bug me. Now? I wear it like a badge of honor.

Labeling fact-based criticism as “derangement” is a lazy deflection. We call out his actions because the stakes are real — and what’s transpired under this administration is alarming. All of it is also public record.

In the past nine months alone, President Trump has acted less like a public servant and more like a strongman. He’s invoked emergency powers to sidestep Congress, he’s thrown out career officials in favor of loyalists, and continues to attack journalists, calling them the enemy of the people.

Just this week, dozens of reporters handed in their badges in protest of the Pentagon’s new rules that would force them to sign away their independence.

These moves are aimed at consolidating power, silencing dissent, and chipping away at the very checks and balances that keep our democracy alive.

This should be worrisome to EVERYONE.

Trump has also gone after civil rights and diversity programs under the guise of being anti-woke.

And while his administration is handing out billions of dollars overseas — including a $20 billion package to Argentina — the U.S. government is now in its 15th day of a shutdown, with hundreds of thousands of federal workers missing paychecks. At the same time, deep cuts are hitting special education, food assistance, and other vital programs that serve the most vulnerable here at home.

Let’s not forget: he’s the first convicted felon to serve in the White House, he was found liable for sexual abuse and defamation, attempted to overturn a legitimate election, and called the January 6 rioters “patriots” — later pardoning them. He’s weaponized the Justice Department to punish opponents, and he rewards loyalists and grifters while firing anyone who dares to say “no.”

That’s a lot … but it doesn’t stop there.

He’s mocked scientists, turned public health into a culture war, pushed anti-trans policies, and demonized immigrants — all while using racial dog whistles. It’s been lucrative for him—he’s enriched himself by billions.

Meanwhile, working families are still struggling with grocery prices, and the Epstein files remain locked away.

If there’s a syndrome at play here, it’s Trump Denial Syndrome — the refusal to see corruption, cruelty, and authoritarian behavior even when it’s right in front of you.

Blind loyalty doesn’t make someone virtuous or more attractive. It makes them complicit. Too many right-wing influencers and media figures profit from that complicity. Their silence isn’t neutrality — it’s cowardice and a total grift.

That’s why dissent matters.

Democracy doesn’t die from outrage. It dies from apathy.

No, I don’t have Trump Derangement Syndrome.

I have a functioning moral compass — and I refuse to apologize for using it.

Listen to Gee and Ursula on “The Gee and Ursula Show” weekday mornings from 9 am to 12 pm on KIRO Newsradio. 

Follow @https://twitter.com/UrsulaKIROFM