US Representatives Introduce Bill to Study 'Trump Derangement Syndrome'

Anyone who has experienced broken relationships in their family or between friends because of politics may have no difficulty believing that this problem evokes strong emotions sometimes to an alarming degree. But did you know that lawmakers are actually proposing the current emotional state be given an official name and medical designation? Well, it has. You may have heard of it. It's called "Trump Derangement Syndrome" or "TDS." I have begun to believe it really does deserve a name, and although it has yet to be added to The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), and likely will never be, I believe the phenomenon is worthy of recognition and should be studied, and, for the sake of a saner society, it might help every American if they learned some useful skills in dealing with it. Serious lawmakers are considering this very thing. On May 15, 2025, Rep. Warren Davidson (R-OH) introduced the Trump Derangement Syndrome (TDS) Research Act of 2025. He was joined by original cosponsor Rep. Barry Moore (R-AL). "TDS has divided families, the country, and led to nationwide violence--including two assassination attempts on President Trump. The TDS Act would require the National Institute of Health (NIH) to study this toxic state of mind so we can understand the root cause and identify solutions," said Davidson. "Instead of funding ludicrous studies such as giving methamphetamine to cats or teaching monkeys to gamble for their drinking water, the NIH should use that fundingt to research issues that are relevant to the real world." "TDS has become an epidemic on the Left," said Moore. The TDS Research Act addresses a critical issue: the instinctive negative and often violent reaction to any supportive statement or event related to President Trump by leveraging NIH's existing programs. "The TDS Research Act addresses a critical issue: the instinctual negative and often violent reaction to any supportive statement or event related to President Trump. By leveraging NIH’s existing programs at the National Institute of Mental Health, the bill will: • Investigate TDS’s origins and contributing factors, including the media’s role in amplifying the spread of TDS. • Analyze its long-term impacts on individuals, communities, and public discourse. • Explore interventions to mitigate extreme behaviors, informing strategies for a healthier public square. • Provide data-driven insights into how media and polarization shape political violence and social unrest. • Require an annual report to Congress. • No Additional Spending: Uses existing NIH resources and avoids new spending.” The proposed legislation is entitled HR3432. Definition: “In this Act, the term ‘Trump Derangement Syndrome’ or ‘TDS’ refers to a behavioral or psychological phenomenon characterized by intense emotional or cognitive reactions to Donald J. Trump, his actions, or his public presence, as observed in individuals or groups.” Earlier, on March 25, 2025, the Senate of the state of Minnesota introduced a bill for an act relating to mental health; modifying the definition of mental illness; adding a definition for Trump Derangement Syndrome. It is called SF2589 (SF stands for “Senate File”) and proposes adding “Trump Derangement Syndrome” to the state’s definition of mental illness. It will be interesting to watch this process play out in the days and months ahead. Reference: https://davidson.house.gov/2025/5/rep-warren-davidson-introduces-the-trump-derangement-syndrome-tds-research-act-of-2025