In a recent installment of her Substack newsletter, clinical psychologist Mary Trump, the niece of former President Donald Trump, delved into the psychological complexities behind her uncle’s deep-seated obsession with crowd sizes at political rallies. According to Mary, the reported “shrinking” crowd sizes and low attendances at some of Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign rallies will likely incense the former president and Republican 2024 front-runner.
“Crowd size is one of the key ways Donald measures success,” Mary Trump explained. Drawing on her expertise as a clinical psychologist, she illuminated the significant role that the size of the audience plays in shaping her uncle’s perception of accomplishment. This perspective sheds light on why past instances of smaller crowds have triggered a notable emotional response from Donald Trump.
A poignant example of this fixation is evident in Trump’s false claims about the size of the audience at his inauguration in January 2017. Mary Trump highlighted this as one of the first instances where her uncle propagated untruths, with his then-White House press secretary, Sean Spicer, falsely asserting that it was “the largest audience to ever witness an inauguration, period, both in person and around the globe.” The incident set the stage for a pattern of misinformation that characterized Trump’s tenure in office.
Mary Trump emphasized that for Donald Trump, large crowds and their energetic enthusiasm serve as a source of motivation and validation. These gatherings become a crucial crutch for the former president, providing him with a means of deploying his message and sustaining momentum. Without the buoyant energy of massive crowds, Trump loses a vital method of connecting with his base and projecting an image of strength.
“Small turnout, muted responses, and louder hecklers challenge him and stress him in a way few other things can,” Mary Trump added. This insight into the psychological impact of diminished crowd sizes on the former president helps explain his visible discomfort during events that don’t meet his expectations in terms of attendance and audience response.
Mary Trump, who has emerged as one of her uncle’s fiercest critics, further illuminated the significance of crowd dynamics by noting that huge crowds, and the intensity of their energy, played a pivotal role in shaping Trump’s messaging strategies. As the 2024 campaign unfolds, it becomes apparent that the absence of these large crowds presents a unique challenge for the former president in effectively conveying his political message.
The insights provided by Mary Trump offer a nuanced understanding of the psychological underpinnings that drive Donald Trump’s preoccupation with crowd sizes. As the 2024 campaign progresses, it remains to be seen how this aspect of his persona will influence his political strategies and how the absence of massive rallies may impact his perceived effectiveness as a front-runner in the Republican race.