Here's a great Twitter thread on how this likely ends.

[Bleacher Creature]

Link to tweet

(And if someone knows how to post the entire thread, let me know).

[dewsgirl]

1. I literally just read that thread. K and R.

[Iliyah]

2. K & R!

Unfortunately the Republican party only care about themselves over country. Let's hope that they see a end game for t-rump and let him go into oblivion.

[Pachamama]

3. Excellent post and read - and warning and plea to people working in this administration

"But life has multiple chapters. John Dean created a meaningful life after doing time because of Watergate. John Mitchell? Not so much.

Be a hero, not a victim"

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

4. And here this whole time I'd assumed that image was Photoshopped. I should

know better by now.

[blaze]

5. Here's the full thread

https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1180311785703788546.html

or

I don't know who needs to hear this, but back in the day, when I was a lawyer, over 30 years, I represented 2 high-functioning narcissistic sociopaths.
So I know how the endgame is going to be played out:
Bail out now, enablers. Quit. Cut your best deal.

1/x

I was the guy the awful people came to after they'd screwed up so badly in front of federal judges with their first lawyers and wanted saving. It's seductive, thinking that you're making a difference, making it marginally less awful, managing to a result that's slightly okay.
2/x
Here's the thing: Narcissistic sociopaths can't change course. Not even when it's in their self-interest. They--literally--don't see that people other than them have legitimate self-interests that need to be satisfied in any agreed solution. It's like they're colorblind.
3/x
Narcissistic sociopaths don't have loyalty. They don't have empathy that extends beyond themselves and a narrowly-defined family. Even if you're taking care of them, keeping them out of jail (literally) they won't take care of you, even by paying their legal bills. Seriously.
4/x
Narcissistic sociopaths are unable to straighten up and fly right, even when it's in their self-interest. And they hang in there long after the rest of us would throw in the towel (from self interest or otherwise.) See, the rules don't apply to them. Never have.
5/x
That's why they do so well--for a while--narcissistic sociopaths, among the rest of us: We assume we're dealing with rational people who think like us--they couldn't possibly expect to get away with...
Sorry. They do. But you won't. They won't take care of you. No pardon.
7/x
So if you're in the WH, State Department, etc., and you've been pulled into this fiasco, you might be going to jail. Sorry. That's what happens when you facilitate crimes. I was lucky--I was an outside lawyer with a clear duty to act within the bounds of the law.
8/x
Each time, I was in front of a federal judge who had more power than my client, and I had a lot of other clients, which made it easier to resign. And easier to see and set limits. I had a clear duty, to zealously represent my clients _within the bounds of the law_. You don't.
9/x
So I'm sorry--but if you're working for the President, you're screwed. Depending on your involvement, it's quite possible you'll lose your job, your license, your career, or even your freedom. But the sooner you jump, the less damage. And: Your soul. Do the right thing.
10/x
The endgame here is going to be almost inconceivably worse than anyone who hasn't worked with narcissistic sociopaths expects. Now is the time to unstrap yourself from the "suicide bomber" President, as @TheRickWilson calls him. Good luck. Seriously.
11/x
You probably think of yourself as a competent, nice person, with specific political beliefs that didn't include fascism, authoritarianism, and letting Russians, Ukrainians, and other foreigners pick our leaders. Sorry. If you broke the law, you may be going down.
12/x
But life has multiple chapters. John Dean created a meaningful life after doing time because of Watergate. John Mitchell? Not so much.
Be a hero, not a victim. Those of us who write fiction know that heroes suffer. But meaningfully--they get to a better place.
13/x
Anyway, if you work for this president, do some research about narcissistic sociopaths, so you know how this ends, for him and for you. And my DMs are open. (Create a new account. Seriously, y'all--if you're in this WH, your life sucks enough.) Best--been there, Dean
13/13

Missing some Tweet in this thread?

[Bleacher Creature]

6. Thanks! NT

[Hermit-The-Prog]

13. thank you

[Kitchari]

14. Thx n/t

[Wellstone ruled]

30. So true.

The vindictiveness of a Narcissistic Syco gets damn ugly,been on the receiving end,got lucky,the Corporate Legal Beagles shut the sucker down once the smell surfaced.

[Newest Reality]

7. That was a good thread.

The assessment of the malignancy and its effects are consistent with what one studies and experiences with this type.

Of course, one can extrapolate the kind of outcome from that and it sounds right to me.

I've read some books on the sociopath phenomenon, (and have dealt with a few). There has been more investigation into how they think and operate. One little, unexpected fact is that they can tend to have more empathy than people who do not have this mal-adaptation, (which is one, biased way to put it). What? Yes, they tend to be very finely tuned to other people in general, the difference is that they are immune to the feelings that the empathy would normally evoke.

The reason I bring that up is for general understanding. It can help you understand that their capacity to size a person up from even subtle cues, movements, vocal inflections, etc., is very heightened and precise. This was demonstrated in some experiments done. It explains how they can be so successful in manipulating people, so keep that in mind. Consider that they have highly sensitive "antennas" that reveal much more than you might expect.

[Kitchari]

15. Agree

I read that they have "intellectual empathy," where they can assess the inner workings and vulnerabilities of others, but no "emotional empathy" which makes them untouched by the plight of others. All that matters is how they get their own way.

[mercuryblues]

8. unrolled thread

https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1180311785703788546.html

I don't know who needs to hear this, but back in the day, when I was a lawyer, over 30 years, I represented 2 high-functioning narcissistic sociopaths.
So I know how the endgame is going to be played out:
Bail out now, enablers. Quit. Cut your best deal. 1/x

I was the guy the awful people came to after they'd screwed up so badly in front of federal judges with their first lawyers and wanted saving. It's seductive, thinking that you're making a difference, making it marginally less awful, managing to a result that's slightly okay. 2/x


Here's the thing: Narcissistic sociopaths can't change course. Not even when it's in their self-interest. They--literally--don't see that people other than them have legitimate self-interests that need to be satisfied in any agreed solution. It's like they're colorblind. 3/x


Narcissistic sociopaths don't have loyalty. They don't have empathy that extends beyond themselves and a narrowly-defined family. Even if you're taking care of them, keeping them out of jail (literally) they won't take care of you, even by paying their legal bills. Seriously. 4/x


Narcissistic sociopaths are unable to straighten up and fly right, even when it's in their self-interest. And they hang in there long after the rest of us would throw in the towel (from self interest or otherwise.) See, the rules don't apply to them. Never have. 5/x


That's why they do so well--for a while--narcissistic sociopaths, among the rest of us: We assume we're dealing with rational people who think like us--they couldn't possibly expect to get away with...
Sorry. They do. But you won't. They won't take care of you. No pardon. 7/x

So if you're in the WH, State Department, etc., and you've been pulled into this fiasco, you might be going to jail. Sorry. That's what happens when you facilitate crimes. I was lucky--I was an outside lawyer with a clear duty to act within the bounds of the law. 8/x


Each time, I was in front of a federal judge who had more power than my client, and I had a lot of other clients, which made it easier to resign. And easier to see and set limits. I had a clear duty, to zealously represent my clients _within the bounds of the law_. You don't. 9/x


So I'm sorry--but if you're working for the President, you're screwed. Depending on your involvement, it's quite possible you'll lose your job, your license, your career, or even your freedom. But the sooner you jump, the less damage. And: Your soul. Do the right thing. 10/x


The endgame here is going to be almost inconceivably worse than anyone who hasn't worked with narcissistic sociopaths expects. Now is the time to unstrap yourself from the "suicide bomber" President, as @TheRickWilson calls him. Good luck. Seriously. 11/x


You probably think of yourself as a competent, nice person, with specific political beliefs that didn't include fascism, authoritarianism, and letting Russians, Ukrainians, and other foreigners pick our leaders. Sorry. If you broke the law, you may be going down. 12/x


But life has multiple chapters. John Dean created a meaningful life after doing time because of Watergate. John Mitchell? Not so much.
Be a hero, not a victim. Those of us who write fiction know that heroes suffer. But meaningfully--they get to a better place. 13/x


Anyway, if you work for this president, do some research about narcissistic sociopaths, so you know how this ends, for him and for you. And my DMs are open. (Create a new account. Seriously, y'all--if you're in this WH, your life sucks enough.) Best--been there, Dean 13/13

[lindysalsagal]

9. Bottom line: it's hopeless. Abort.

So I'm sorry--but if you're working for the President, you're screwed. Depending on your involvement, it's quite possible you'll lose your job, your license, your career, or even your freedom. But the sooner you jump, the less damage. And: Your soul. Do the right thing.

[SMC22307]

10. What does it say about the people who choose to work with known narcissistic sociopaths...

Last edited Sun Oct 6, 2019, 02:43 PM - Edit history (1)

like Trump? Not family members, but those who choose to be pulled into his toxic orbit. I've had the misfortune of working with a couple over the course of my career and they're impossible to deal with. I dated one or two but got out once I figured out what was going on (these people are highly manipulative and a challenge to those of us who don't operate that way). In most cases, ETTD, but in some cases, there are survivors. Sarah Huckleberry seemed to get out relatively unscathed. Hope Hicks. Fellow sociopath Stephen Miller is hanging in. Kellyanne. What's their secret? I guess they just stand there and allow the abuse to be heaped upon themselves while remaining loyal. Loyalty is key.

[Nasruddin]

21. Like follows like

Many of the people in the supporting roles for this problematic person are probably narcissistic sociopaths themselves. I am not sure why, but they are often attracted to each other. It may be that they have some kind of empathy for each other and can figure out how to work together, for a while. It may be that they are attracted to the bright light of a more successful narc and want some of that. Some of them are probably more clever calculators than the president and think, this is a cakewalk, when the music stops I'm going to be the one left, naturally, & I will take over.

They aren't going to read this thread and say to themselves, "Maybe I should rethink my position here." They aren't going to see that it applies to them.

On the other hand, eventually the narc behavior will out. Some get shoved out, some jump. I wouldn't trust any of them without further testing! The "tell" I'm using for this is some variant on "that guy was a moron." The ones reported saying this - the ones who worked for him for any period and said this - those guys are narcs. Treat them like pariahs.

[Pluvious]

25. Very insightful, makes a lot of sense n/t

[SMC22307]

27. I heard Pompeo threw binders at subordinates and his security detail...

had some sort of "emancipation party" once he moved on as head of the CIA. Barr is a corrupt prick dating back decades. It will be interesting to see how they fare when all is said and done. I'm just disappointed in the career military men who were "beaten" by Trump. SOMEONE'S got to be able to bring Fat Nixon down. In honor of my stepfather, hopefully it will be the intelligence community.

[Fla Dem]

22. Well if any of those still hanging on think their careers will be rewarded

or that DJT will reward them in the future, good luck with that.

Huckleberry saw the writing on the wall. Or maybe her father did and she got out before the fall of Rome. She may have a future. But seriously, I can't think of anyone in politics who would want any prominent person in the Trump administration to be associated with their futures or careers. They will always be identified with the most corrupt administration in American history.

[SMC22307]

28. I'm not sure they see the corruption. Or they see it, and don't care.

The hard-core ones certainly don't. Look at the George Dubya re-treads from Reagan. Barr still carries the stench of Iran-Contra. He's been rewarded, despite of his decades-long corruption. I'm just hoping with all my might that Trump, et al. are brought down HARD.

[Fla Dem]

31. The Trump administration is so much more vile and corrupt than the GWB administration.

This will be a stain on America for at least the next 20 years.

[Beringia]

11. So many predictions, I wonder who will be right or if there is scenario no one has thought of

[Beringia]

12. There will have to be a 2nd movie titled "Downfall"

[empedocles]

26. 'Chances various' happen

[Garrett78]

16. I appreciate that some are far more optimistic than I am.

[Thekaspervote]

17. Read the whole thing... very true and worth the read

[iluvtennis]

19. +++ agree.

[defacto7]

18. K&R

[Pacifist Patriot]

20. He is absolutely correct.

[getagrip_already]

23. so the question I asked myself after reading this is.....

Would trump order a nuke strike on us cities as his last act, including washington.

Would the person entering the codes obey the order.

These orders don't require a lot of military involvement. Big pieces are automated for speed in an emergency.

There is the guy holding the football and the potus. After that, off they fly.

Hopefully there is some kind of safeguard, but I'm skeptical. People firing missiles don't know the targets.

[cp]

24. Excellent

[NewJeffCT]

29. Meh

he has an interesting take, but it's more like advice to get out now because he thinks Trump is taking down everybody with him which is what a ton of other people are saying

[lunatica]

33. Except he's saying he has experienced someone like Trump twice

on a professional level and thinks he should have gotten out earlier. There is a bit of a difference from getting the advice from a smart person without such experience. Plus, people who have been victims of abusive behavior tend to give meaningful advice, unless they’re Sociopathic Narcissists themselves.

[Cha]

32. KR!! Mahalo, BC!