The Narcissistic Chaos of It All: Trump, Musk, and the Cult of Chaos

By Leslii Stevens ERYT500, YACEP, Trauma-Informed Yoga Teacher

This isn't just politics. It's a game of manipulation, chaos, and lies that affects all of us.


Alright, let’s get real here for a minute. I’m a trauma-informed yoga teacher, and I’ve worked with survivors of narcissistic abuse for years. Let me tell you, what we’re witnessing with this administration, Trump, Musk, and their posse of ahem … let’s call them "freaking distractions" it's textbook narcissistic behavior. This whole thing is one big gaslighting nightmare that’s leaving people in turmoil. 

Our society is drowning in lies, manipulation, and the trauma that narcissistic leaders create. We're stuck in the storm, and it's time to fight back.


This isn’t just politics. This is personal. This is gaslighting on a national scale, a perpetual cycle of lies, manipulation, and chaos. It’s like being in a toxic relationship where someone continually denies your reality, shifts the blame, and keeps you spinning. You can’t trust anything or anyone, and you’re stuck in a pattern where you’re constantly questioning yourself. Sounds familiar, right? For many of us, it's like reliving the worst parts of our own trauma. 


Let’s break this down, because if we can recognize these patterns in leadership, we can also recognize them in our own lives and fight back. 

Gaslighting: A tool used to control and break down reality. A strategy used by narcissists to undermine truth and create confusion.


Gaslighting on a National Scale 


When a narcissist gaslights, they twist the truth, deny reality, and make you doubt your sanity. Sound familiar? Look at the constant flood of lies coming from people like Trump and Musk. They twist facts, create fake narratives, and leave the rest of us drowning in confusion. 


Do you remember when Trump started labeling the press the “enemy of the people”? Classic narcissistic move discredit everyone who isn’t bowing to their narrative. It’s not just a random insult; it's part of a larger tactic to undermine truth and make everyone question what's real. That’s gaslighting. Pure and simple. 


And let’s talk about the way Musk and his followers manipulate truth. The guy gets on Twitter, spreads bullshit, then acts like he’s the one being persecuted when people call him out. He builds this empire of “I’m a genius, you’re all just too stupid to get it.” That’s narcissism 101: making the world fit into their delusion. We’ve all seen how toxic this mindset is in personal relationships it’s just that now, it’s wreaking havoc on a global scale. 

The blame game: Pointing fingers at others while they stay hidden behind the chaos they've caused.


Blame Shifting and Lying 


Ever been in a relationship where you’re always the one to blame? Where no matter what you say, they twist the story, flip it around, and suddenly you’re the problem? That’s the playbook. These guys, Trump, Musk, and their posse are masters at shifting blame and deflecting accountability. 


Let’s talk about Trump and his role in inciting chaos. He literally got people to storm the Capitol, and then blamed everyone else. It’s like you’re in a toxic relationship where the narcissist gets you to do something terrible, and then turns around and says, “You did this, not me!” That’s narcissistic blame-shifting and it’s what these people are doing every damn day. 

Every time they speak, it's another lie. And we're all expected to believe it.


Now, Musk isn’t any better. The guy lies constantly, and when it’s pointed out, he somehow manages to make everyone else seem like the bad guy. It’s like being in a relationship where you’re gaslit, lied to, and then forced to apologize for pointing out the lies. This is how these leaders operate they lie, steal, and manipulate, and then try to turn the story around so we feel like we’re the crazy ones for calling them out. 

While we're distracted by the chaos they create, they're making off with the goods behind our backs.


The Chaos Game: Destruction Behind the Curtain 


Ever notice how these narcissists create chaos on one side, while behind the scenes, they’re profiting and moving their own agendas forward? Think about it. Trump created all this hysteria, division, and drama with his lies, all while building his wealth and securing his position of power. Musk does the same thing creating drama on Twitter, while his other business deals and investments keep rolling in. 


It’s chaos as a distraction. It’s controlling the narrative while making a shit-ton of money off of it. This is classic narcissistic behavior: keep everyone so busy fighting, so distracted, so gaslit that they never see the manipulation happening behind the curtain. 


How We Fight Back: Don’t Let the Gaslight Win 


First off, stop doubting your own reality. You’re not crazy. You’re not imagining the chaos. These people are manipulating everything, from the news to social media, to make sure you stay off balance. And they’re doing it on purpose. 

We may be in the middle of this storm, but we have the power to find calm, restore, and rebuild. Take back your peace.


We’ve got to build a culture of awareness, one where we recognize these narcissistic patterns and refuse to engage. We don’t need to keep following the distractions or letting their lies take hold. Just like in yoga, it’s about finding your center. Recognizing the lies and letting them go. It’s about learning to trust your own experience, your own truth, and not allowing these people to define it for you. 

It's time to take a stand, reclaim your voice, and fight against the chaos. Don't let narcissistic leaders steal your truth.

National Hotlines and Resources

Here’s a list of national hotlines and resources that can support people dealing with trauma, abuse, or distress caused by what’s happening in the country. These services can help people who may be struggling with mental health issues, anxiety, or dealing with narcissistic manipulation, gaslighting, or any form of emotional abuse.

National Hotlines & Support Resources

1. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (988)

Phone: 988 (available 24/7)

Website: 988lifeline.org

Description: A 24/7 crisis lifeline for anyone experiencing emotional distress or a suicidal crisis. Text or call for free, confidential support.

2. National Domestic Violence Hotline

Phone: 1-800-799-7233 (available 24/7)

Text: Text “START” to 88788

Website: thehotline.org

Description: Support for those experiencing domestic violence, providing confidential assistance for escaping abusive situations, including emotional abuse (which narcissists often use).

3. Crisis Text Line

Text: Text HOME to 741741 (available 24/7)

Website: crisistextline.org

Description: A free, 24/7 text line for people in crisis, offering emotional support through text messaging with trained crisis counselors.

4. The Trevor Project

Phone: 1-866-488-7386 (24/7)

Text: Text START to 678678

Website: thetrevorproject.org

Description: A suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ+ youth, offering support for mental health struggles, bullying, and emotional distress.

5. National Helpline for Mental Health (SAMHSA)

Phone: 1-800-662-HELP (1-800-662-4357)

Website: samhsa.gov

Description: A confidential, free, 24/7 helpline for people struggling with mental health or substance abuse issues. Provides support and referrals to local resources.

6. National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

Phone: 1-800-950-NAMI (1-800-950-6264)

Website: nami.org

Description: Provides free, confidential support for individuals dealing with mental health issues and their families, including information on resources, education, and advocacy.

7. Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN)

Phone: 1-800-656-HOPE (1-800-656-4673) (available 24/7)

Website: rainn.org

Description: The largest national anti-sexual violence organization offering support for sexual assault survivors, including confidential crisis support and resources for healing.

8. Veterans Crisis Line

Phone: 1-800-273-8255 (Press 1 for veterans) (available 24/7)

Text: Text 838255

Website: veteranscrisisline.net

Description: Confidential support for veterans in crisis or experiencing emotional distress, including suicide prevention.

9. National Child Abuse Hotline (Childhelp)

Phone: 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453) (available 24/7)

Website: childhelp.org

Description: A 24/7 hotline for reporting child abuse, with support for children and adults affected by abuse, neglect, and trauma.

10. Boys Town National Hotline

Phone: 1-800-448-3000 (available 24/7)

Website: boystown.org

Description: Support for children, teenagers, and families dealing with crises, providing counseling and resources for those struggling with emotional abuse.

11. Al-Anon/Alateen (For Family & Friends of Alcoholics)

Phone: 1-800-356-9996 (available 24/7)

Website: al-anon.org

Description: Provides support for family members and friends of people struggling with alcoholism, offering meetings, resources, and tools for coping.

12. Loveisrespect

Phone: 1-866-331-9474 (available 24/7)

Text: Text “LOVEIS” to 22522

Website: loveisrespect.org

Description: A resource for young people experiencing abuse in relationships, offering education, support, and advocacy for those facing emotional or physical abuse.

Self-Care Tips for Coping with Narcissistic Behavior

If you're feeling the weight of these narcissistic influences or you're just plain tired of the chaos, remember that your health comes first. Here are some ways to help cope:

1. Practice grounding techniques: Whether it's a few minutes of deep breathing or focusing on your body in a yoga pose (like Waterfall Pose), grounding helps bring you back to your own reality when the gaslighting feels overwhelming.

2. Set boundaries: Narcissists thrive on breaking down your boundaries. If you’re feeling manipulated or gaslit, remember you have the right to set firm boundaries, both emotionally and physically.

3. Talk to a professional: A trauma-informed therapist can help you navigate through the mental and emotional effects of narcissistic behavior.

4. Take breaks from social media: Sometimes, the best way to protect your peace is to step away from platforms that perpetuate chaos. It’s ok to mute, block, or unfollow.

5. Engage in activities that bring joy: Do something that brings you calm and joy be it reading, walking, yoga, or listening to music.

This list of hotlines and self-care suggestions is a reminder that people don’t have to go through this alone. We have resources to help navigate the chaos, support mental health, and offer guidance on healing from emotional abuse.

By taking care of ourselves and each other, we can stand up against the narcissistic chaos, find our center, and reclaim the peace and clarity that we deserve.