In March 2025, a group of Republican state senators in Minnesota introduced a bill aiming to classify “Trump Derangement Syndrome” (TDS) as a recognized mental illness within the state’s legal framework. The proposed legislation seeks to amend Minnesota Statutes sections 245.462 and 245I.02 to include TDS in the definition of mental illness.
Definition and Symptoms of TDS
According to the bill, TDS is characterized as an “acute onset of paranoia in otherwise normal persons” triggered by reactions to the policies and presidencies of President Donald J. Trump. The proposed symptoms include:
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Intense verbal hostility toward President Trump.
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Inability to distinguish between legitimate policy differences and perceived pathology in Trump’s behavior.
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Acts of aggression or violence against Trump supporters or symbols associated with him.
This definition mirrors language previously used by the late political commentator Charles Krauthammer, who coined the term “Bush Derangement Syndrome” in 2003 to describe irrational hostility toward then-President George W. Bush.
Legislative Context and Prospects
The bill was introduced by five Republican state senators: Eric Lucero, Steve Drazkowski, Nathan Wesenberg, Justin Eichorn, and Glenn H. Gruenhagen. Given the current composition of Minnesota’s state legislature, with a Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) majority, the bill faces significant challenges in advancing through the legislative process. Political analysts suggest that the proposal is unlikely to be approved in its current form.
Controversy Surrounding the Bill
The introduction of the bill has sparked considerable debate. Critics argue that the proposal politicizes mental health issues and trivializes legitimate mental health conditions. They contend that labeling political opposition or intense criticism as a mental disorder undermines the seriousness of mental health diagnoses and could be used to delegitimize dissenting opinions. Supporters of the bill argue that extreme reactions to President Trump, including acts of aggression toward his supporters, warrant recognition of TDS as a mental health concern.
edical Perspectives
Currently, “Trump Derangement Syndrome” is not recognized as a mental illness by any medical or psychological association. The term has been used colloquially, primarily by supporters of President Trump, to describe what they perceive as irrational or disproportionate negative reactions to his policies and persona. Mental health professionals caution against the politicization of mental health terminology, emphasizing the importance of basing diagnoses on established clinical criteria rather than political viewpoints.
Recent Developments
In an unrelated but notable development, one of the bill’s co-authors, Senator Justin Eichorn, was arrested on charges unrelated to the proposed legislation. This incident has added to the controversy surrounding the bill and has led to calls for his resignation from both political allies and opponents.
Conclusion
The proposal to classify “Trump Derangement Syndrome” as a mental illness in Minnesota has ignited discussions about the intersection of politics and mental health. While the bill’s prospects appear limited in the current legislative environment, it raises important questions about how political discourse influences perceptions of mental well-being and the potential implications of legislating such classifications.
