A.B.O.U.T. Behavior #25 : Not Listening
Last week the nation listened as Anthony Fauci, head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, informed the nation about the threat of coronavirus, and government measures being taken to combat COVID-19. Mr. Trump grimly stood behind him, pursing his lips, and twisting his torso, but the president’s movements and facial expressions did not track the content of the scientist’s speech. When the president spoke, a few minutes later, he directly contradicted several points that his medical team had just presented.
Numerous pundits proclaimed that Mr. Trump’s actions demonstrated his narcissism by not listening to advisors and speaking out on topics where his knowledge was limited. We have all seen the angry and arrogant Trump naysaying, badgering, and talking over his aides and opponents, but that behavior requires active engagement. Actually, Mr. Trump displayed boredom and disconnection while others spoke during the coronavirus presentation. He simply wasn’t listening.
“Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly.” summarizes one of the cardinal feature of inattentive ADHD. We have heard and seen Mr. Trump behave in such a fashion repeatedly over the last four years, over issues big and small, when talking with allies and enemies. Part of this propensity may well originate…
