Treasury Secretary Bessent's Attributed Remarks Fuel Debate on "Trump Derangement Syndrome" Amidst Political Polarization

A recent social media post by user "淘喵先生" has brought renewed attention to the intense political divisions in the United States, featuring a quote attributed to U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and referencing a Wall Street Journal editorial on "Trump Derangement Syndrome" (TDS). The tweet circulated widely, reflecting ongoing discussions about the nature of criticism directed at former President Donald Trump.

According to the tweet, Secretary Bessent offered a vivid analogy: > "如果川普发明了治癌症的特效药，民主党和主流媒体会立刻跳出来说——‘行吧，但会掉头皮屑！’" (If Trump invented a cure for cancer, Democrats and mainstream media would immediately jump out and say, 'Okay, but it causes dandruff!'). This statement, as presented in the social media post, underscores a perception that Trump's actions are often met with predetermined negativity from his political opponents and certain media outlets.

The tweet further claimed that a recent Wall Street Journal editorial featured a clinical psychiatrist who concluded that "Trump Derangement Syndrome" is indeed a psychological condition. While the term "Trump Derangement Syndrome" is widely used in political commentary, particularly by supporters of Donald Trump to characterize his critics, it is not recognized as a legitimate mental disorder by mainstream psychiatric authorities, such as the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5).

Scott Bessent, a prominent investor and hedge fund manager, was nominated by then-President-elect Donald Trump on November 22, 2024, and confirmed as the 79th U.S. Treasury Secretary on January 27, 2025. Bessent has been a significant economic advisor and fundraiser for Trump's political campaigns, advocating for policies such as tariffs and deregulation. His attributed remarks, though not independently verified in this exact phrasing, resonate with the broader narrative of political frustration expressed by some Trump allies.

The discussion surrounding TDS highlights the deep polarization prevalent in American politics. While some individual therapists and conservative commentators have supported the idea of TDS as a genuine pathology, and legislative attempts have been made to define it as such, these efforts are generally viewed as political rather than clinical. The tweet concluded with the author's observation that "川普总统不管做啥，总有人能给你挑出一个‘新问题’；在它们眼里，川普总统总是不对," reinforcing the sentiment of persistent opposition.