By now, you have heard the phrase “Trump Derangement Syndrome” tossed around casually by Donald Trump and his defenders. Most recently, our despicable POTUS used the phrase to describe filmmaker Rob Reiner when asked to comment about Reiner’s tragic death. Instead of empathy, compassion, condolences, or simple common decency, Trump called Reiner “deranged” because Reiner was a vocal critic of the president’s rhetoric and politics.
While nothing surprises me about Trump, this was a new low, even for him.
A beloved public figure had been murdered, a Family shattered, and the president of the United States responded not with humanity, restraint, or empathy—but with an insult. It was grotesque. And it clarified something for me. I’ll say this plainly:
If Reiner was Trump deranged, I, too, am Trump Deranged. And damned proud of it.
I’m “deranged” if it means:
Refusing to normalize cruelty.
Rejecting bigotry, racism, antisemitism, Islamophobia, misogyny, and homophobia.
Insisting that words matter, that violence matters, that human dignity still matters.
I am proud to be guilty as charged.
How Hate Became Normalized
Donald Trump didn’t invent hate in America. But he did something just as dangerous: he normalized it. He championed the notions that mockery is leadership, cruelty is strength, and dehumanization is acceptable so long as the targets are the “right” people.
He opened the door for people who once whispered their worst instincts to shout them through megaphones. And too many institutions—political, media, and civic—shrugged and adjusted.
I refuse to adjust, and I’m proud.
Announcing The ATDC: The Association of Trump Deranged Citizens
This is not a joke or a political party. It is not about blind opposition. ATDC has been organized for people who refuse to stand by silently while our civic culture erodes.
People who believe:
Empathy is not weakness
Democracy requires participation
Silence in the face of cruelty is complicity
And our leader owes both citizens and non-citizens respect and common decency, regardless of their political leanings or affiliations.
Joining ATDC is a statement: I see what’s happening, and I will not look away or stay silent.
What Membership Means (and What It Doesn’t)
Membership in ATDC is simple.
It means:
You value decency over dominance
You reject hate as politics
You believe disagreement does not justify dehumanization
It does not require:
Party loyalty
Ideological purity
Performative outrage
This is about values, not tribalism.
Optional Merchandise (Because Some People Ask)
For those who want them, “Proudly Deranged” hats and t-shirts will soon be available as an optional, discounted purchase for members.
If you’re sick of what Trump is doing to our country and are Proudly Deranged, join today! Membership is the point. Tell the president of the United States that his behavior is unacceptable in civilized society.
How to Join
Details on joining the Association of Trump Deranged Citizens (ATDC) are provided below. Membership information will be used solely for association purposes. A large portion of proceeds will be donated to organizations that oppose hate and injustice, defend civil liberties and democratic institutions, and support children’s charities serving families harmed by political neglect.
To join the ATDC, send us your contact information:
Name:
Address:
City/State:
Email Address:
along with a $25.00 (or more, if you’re as angry as I am) check, Money order, or include your credit card information to:
ATDC
C/O Mark M. Bello
4301 Orchard Lake Road
Suite 180-124
West Bloomfield, MI 48323
And again, a large portion of the proceeds will be donated to organizations that oppose hate and injustice.
Final Thought
History is not kind to those who “went along to get along.” If caring about democracy, empathy, and basic human decency makes me “deranged” in this moment—
Then I’m Trump Deranged. And I’m Damned Proud. Join me, won’t you?
For many years, Bob Gatty worked as a writer, editor, and communications consultant, based on the Washington, DC area with a focus on government and politics. He began at The Pittsburgh Courier, an African American weekly, covering crime and the courts. His salary was $55 per week before moving on to two local Pennsylvania dailies. At age 24, he began reporting for United Press International covering state politics in Pennsylvania and then New Jersey, where he was UPI’s state capitol bureau in Trenton.
Tempted by the allure of Washington, DC and big-time politics, at age 29 Bob became press secretary and chief of staff for two Congressmen – first Republican Edwin B. Forsythe, and then Democrat James J. Florio, who later became governor of New Jersey and until his recent death was a frequent podcast guest and co-host of Bob’s NFN Radio News podcast (now called Lean to the Left).
After seven years on Capitol Hill, Bob opened a communications business in Washington, first providing political media consulting to candidates and then freelance Washington coverage for business and trade magazines, plus creative communications services for trade and professional associations, including social media. This work involved articles and analyses of key governmental developments affecting businesses, such as the food and Health industries, retailing, and the environment.
His work as a communications consultant to trade and professional associations included launching and editing association publications, providing website content and social media assistance, and covering conferences and conventions.
Bob retired from G-Net Strategic Communications in 2016 and moved to Myrtle Beach, SC, where he launched his blog site, first called Not Fake News, now known as Lean to the Left.
Hijacked Nation
In August, 2020, Bob and co-author Chris Waldron, one of Lean to the Left's most loyal and prolific contributor, published "Hijacked Nation-Donald Trump's Attack on America's Greatness," a two-volume compilation of blogs regarding Trump's presidency and the consequences for our nation. A followup volume was published by Luna Global Media in September 2024. It is available at https://amzn.to/4ePrTF7 .
In all three volumes, blogs from Not Fake News and Lean to the Left create a virtual play-by-play of key actions of the Trump administration and Congress. For more information, please visit https://leantotheleft.net/books/, and visit Bob's Author's Page on Amazon, https://www.amazon.com/stores/Bob-Gatty/author/B08C7HWXZ5?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs_id=4e603563-7251-4074-b54d-40800c4ce40a.
The Lean to the Left Podcast
The Lean to the Left podcast provides commentary and interviews with newsmakers and others with interesting stories to tell. Video and audio podcasts stream twice weekly on major channels. More info at https://podcast.leantotheleft.net.
The Lean to the Left YouTube Channel
You'll find all of the audio tracks for the Lean to the Left Podcast here plus original videos, including complete video versions of each podcast.
https://www.youtube.com/@LeantotheLeft.
By Mark M. Bello
