When a person says, “Walk a mile in my shoes,” it means, “Don’t judge me until you consider things from my perspective. How would you feel if you were in my position?” The phrase encourages me to have empathy. But I can’t walk in Donald Trump’s shoes.
There is a difference between empathy and sympathy. Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person. Sympathy is feeling sorrow or pity for another person’s misfortune.
Shortly before Trump began his first term, I wrote about why I pity him in a post entitled Love Your Enemies, Guard Your Heart. I still pity him.
I have been thinking about why I do not understand Donald Trump or share his feelings. I certainly can’t relate to his life. I grew up poor. I’ve never lived a life of luxury. My life is a humble but happy one. Nevertheless, I can empathize with rich people who experience misfortune.
The desires that motivate Trump do not motivate me.
Clearly, one of Trump’s greatest desires is to deport and imprison immigrants, specifically immigrants with brown skin. He is motivated by racism, a sin I can’t abide. Trump believes that immigrants are poisoning the blood of the country, so he believes he is purifying the country by deporting people who aren’t white. This is a wicked way to walk. We were all created in God’s image and have an inalienable right to dignity and respect.
Trump is also motivated by a desire to humiliate his opponents and to seek revenge for perceived wrongs. His political opponents live rent-free in his head. His enemies include judges, the media, and anyone who criticizes or asks him hard questions. This is also a wicked way to walk.
We are commanded to love others as we love ourselves. That means caring for others, even our enemies, and leaving vengeance to God.
Trump is not a normal human being. He has been called a malignant narcissist. You don’t have to be a psychologist to see that he exhibits the signs of a narcissist. He believes he is superior to everyone else. He believes he is entitled to special treatment. He is obsessed with status and appearance. He needs to be admired. He can’t handle criticism. He is envious of others. He manipulates and exploits people. He lacks empathy.
In addition to narcissism, I believe that Trump has an anti-social personality disorder. Take a look at the list of traits in this article by Anton Ashcroft.
Superficial. Grandiose. Deceitful. Lacks remorse. Lacks empathy. Doesn’t accept responsibility. Impulsive. Poor behavioral controls. Lacks goals. Irresponsible. Antisocial behavior.
When I think about what it would be like to be the president, a position I wouldn’t want in my wildest dreams, I know that I would be overwhelmed by the responsibility. I would be humbled. I would seek advice from trusted experts. Yet Trump has not been humbled. He claims to know more than experts. He surrounds himself with sycophants.
I can not walk a mile in Donald Trump’s shoes because his shoes don’t fit a child of God. I do feel sorry for him. He is not at peace with God. He is walking down a path that leads to destruction and dragging many unfortunate souls with him.
Innermost Being 