“By limiting Donald’s access to his own feelings and rendering many of them unacceptable, Fred perverted his son’s perception of the world and damaged his ability to live in it … lying was defensive — not simply a way to circumvent his father’s disapproval or to avoid punishment, as it was for the others, but a way to survive.” WaPo with some outtakes from the book the Trumps tried to stop. Trump’s worldview forged by neglect and trauma at home, his niece says in new book. These revelations, while interesting, won’t be particularly surprising. But you might be surprised by my reaction to them. I don’t think it’s impossible that Donald Trump will end up being viewed as a tragic figure when this is all over. He wanted his father’s approval. He wanted to be welcomed by the liberal elite. He wanted to be loved by fellow celebrities. How’d all that go? Sure, he’s a terrible president at a time when we need a good one. But he should have never been elected in the first place.