Five Minnesota Republican state senators are proposing a bill to classify “Trump Derangement Syndrome” (TDS) as an official mental illness. Because if you can’t win an argument, why not just label your critics as mentally unwell?
The bill, set to be introduced on Monday, defines TDS as an “acute onset of paranoia” concerning Donald Trump’s presidency. Symptoms allegedly include excessive verbal hostility, an inability to distinguish policy differences from personal pathology, and, presumably, uncontrollable eye-rolling every time Trump speaks.
Medical Science or Political Gimmick?
The five co-sponsors—state Senators Glenn Gruenhagen, Justin Eichorn, Nathan Wesenberg, Steve Drazkowski, and Eric Lucero—insist that this is a serious medical issue. And who are we to argue? After all, nothing says “serious medical research” like five politicians with no background in psychology diagnosing half the country with a made-up disorder.
Their proposed remedy? Codifying TDS into Minnesota’s mental health statutes. Because when someone doesn’t like your favorite politician, the obvious solution is to pathologize their dissent. What’s next? Declaring disagreement with tax cuts a sign of schizophrenia?
Dissent Is Madness—Unless You’re a MAGA Fanatic
Democrats, medical professionals, and anyone with a functioning frontal lobe have pushed back against the bill, arguing that TDS is simply a political label used to dismiss legitimate criticism. Some have countered with the idea that blind loyalty to Trump—despite impeachments, criminal investigations, and, well, reality—might be a more appropriate subject for psychological study. After all, if believing every word from a man who once suggested injecting bleach as a COVID cure isn’t delusional, what is?
Meanwhile, political commentator Ed Krassenstein suggested on X (formerly Twitter) that if Republicans are serious about diagnosing political behavior, perhaps “MAGA” should be classified as a cult. But let’s be real: that would require the same lawmakers to admit that irrational devotion is a problem. And that, folks, is not happening.
What Happens Next?
The bill will be read before the Democrat-led Senate Health and Human Services Committee on Monday, where it will likely be received with the same enthusiasm as a wet paper bag. Given that Democrats hold a slim majority, there’s a good chance this political theater will amount to nothing more than a few extra headlines and some chuckles from late-night comedians.
But hey, if Republicans are determined to turn political disagreements into diagnosable conditions, maybe they should start by looking in the mirror. After all, there’s a fine line between “Trump Derangement Syndrome” and “Trump Worship Disorder”—and one of those might actually require intervention.