US President Donald Trump (L) attends a bilateral meeting with France's President Emmanuel Macron on the sidelines of the G7 summit, in Evian, France on June 15, 2026. LUDOVIC MARIN/Pool via REUTERS
Dr. John Gartner, a former Johns Hopkins assistant professor, warned President Donald Trump is the sickest individual he has encountered in 40 years of clinical practice, displaying extreme symptoms suggesting dementia combined with malignant narcissism and sadism.
During a new episode of "The Daily Beast Podcast" with host Joanna Coles, Dr. Gartner argued Trump is grooming the American public to accept nuclear war, driven by desires to become history's most destructive military leader.
Dr. Gartner drew comparisons between Trump and Alexander the Great and Julius Caesar, illustrating his military conqueror fantasies. He also highlighted one of Trump's 2025 social media posts, when the President referenced Napoleon, "he who saves his country does not violate any law."
Gartner stated Trump's deteriorating domestic position — collapsing poll numbers, economic troubles and potential congressional losses — incentivizes him to exercise commander-in-chief power destructively.
Trump's disinhibition from dementia amplifies narcissistic and sadistic impulses, according to Gartner, who believes Trump "gets incredible gratification from destroying things and hurting people."
Watch the video below.