Minnesota Republicans have proposed legislation to classify ‘Trump Derangement Syndrome’ as a mental illness.
Minnesota Republicans have introduced a bill that would amend state law to include ‘Trump Derangement Syndrome’ (TDS) within the definition of a psychiatric disorder. The bill defines TDS as a condition affecting individuals who demonstrate irrational behavior in response to the policies and presidency of Donald Trump.
The term ‘Trump Derangement Syndrome’ is often used by Trump supporters and conservative commentators to describe strong negative reactions to the former president.
Introduced on Monday by five GOP lawmakers, the Minnesota bill seeks to add TDS to the state’s official list of mental disorders, defining it as “the acute onset of paranoia in otherwise normal persons that is in reaction to the policies and presidencies of President Donald J. Trump.”
The bill asserts that TDS can manifest as “verbal hostility or acts of aggression against those with differing political opinions.” It also suggests that individuals with TDS have difficulty distinguishing between political disagreements and genuine psychological issues.
Senator Glenn Gruenhagen, a sponsor of the bill, defended it by stating that the “irrational behaviour” shown by some Trump critics suggests a “deeper psychological problem.” He added that the bill aims to address this issue, and is “not mere political disagreements.”
“We should be able to have civil debates without demonstrating violent and unreasonable reactions such as burning down Tesla dealerships, threatening people who wear Trump hats or committing road rage at the sight of a Trump bumper sticker on a person’s car,” the senator stated on Facebook.
Gruenhagen admitted that the bill is unlikely to pass the Minnesota Senate, where Democrats hold a slim majority. He acknowledged the controversy the bill has caused, stating, “Of course, we all know that the Democrats and Governor Walz will never allow this bill to pass anyway, so take a deep breath and calm down.”
Critics of the term TDS argue that it is a tool to dismiss legitimate criticism of Trump and his policies. Some also note that the label could be applied to Trump supporters who react aggressively to those who oppose him.