Donald Trump 'never considered invading Greenland' but his tactics are seen in his book, The Art of the Deal, psychologist says
Donald Trump never seriously considered taking Greenland by force – but by threatening to do so was simply using tactics outlined in his book, ‘The Art of the Deal’, a Portadown psychologist believes.
Dr Arthur Cassidy was speaking after the US president made a dramatic climbdown from persistent threats of taking Greenland by force, his stated aim being to use it to strengthen US defences against Russia.
However, he rowed back on his threats on Wednesday in Switzerland after a meeting with Nato secretary-general Mark Rutte.
Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, the US president said they had instead “formed the framework of a future deal” for security in the Arctic region.
In his 1987 book Trump says: “My style of deal-making is quite simple and straightforward. I aim very high, and then I just keep pushing and pushing and pushing to get what I’m after. Sometimes I settle for less than I sought, but in most cases I still end up with what I want.”
He also says he likes to use “bravado” and also “truthful hyperbole” which he calls “an innocent form of exaggeration”.
The Financial Times published an article the day after he dropped his Greenland threats, entitled: 'Art of the deal: Greenland edition'.
It opined: “Trump, having invoked the threat of the ultimate hostile takeover approach for Greenland – deploying the US military ... is now looking at a negotiated transaction.”
Dr Cassidy specialises in political and celebrity psychology and has many years broadcasting experience across the BBC, Sky News, ITV and RTE.
“Having studied Trump for years I find that he is one of the most complex political leadership mindsets that I've ever come across,” he said.
“He has three major ingredients of psychopathy – Machiavellianism, control and dark narcissism.”
Dr Cassidy told the News Letter: “Objectively, I don't think he has ever thought of taking Greenland by force.”
He believes Trump's repeated threats on Greenland and related tariff threats are all classic 'Art of the Deal tactics' – using extreme language to soften up negotiating partners.
“I think scaremongering is one of his tactics,” he said.
Trump’s extreme rhetoric also supports his aim of pressuring European nations to ramp up investment in their own military and not depend on the US.
“I think that would be a very accurate and reasonable assessment,” he added.
He believes that analysts who take most of Trump's threats at face value often deeply misunderstand him – and the ‘Art of the Deal’.
“The Art of the Deal is his Bible, that is the way he plays the game. He plays his cards so close to his chest, so he's not going to reveal the truth of the matter [his actual goal].”
Dr Cassidy said Trump is so unusual that he cannot think of another historical political figure like him – except perhaps the devious 16th century diplomat Niccolò Machiavelli, whose book, ‘The Prince’, advocates distracting the masses with spectacles while working in the background to achieve your true aims.