Mary Trump claims Donald Trump uses projection to mask personal failings

Mary Trump, a clinical psychologist and niece of former President Donald Trump, has characterized her uncle’s frequent attacks on opponents as a psychological defense mechanism known as projection. In a recent newsletter and podcast, she argued that when Donald Trump uses terms such as ‘stupid’, ‘corrupt’, or ‘traitorous’ to describe others, he is effectively describing himself.

Mary Trump explained that this behavior is intended to convince the president of his own perceived strengths—such as being smart, strong, and successful—by attributing unacceptable personal shortcomings to others. She noted that because projection often occurs outside of conscious awareness, it differs from hypocrisy.

She traced these behavioral patterns back to her grandfather, Fred Trump, noting a family history of dividing individuals into winners and losers. According to Mary Trump, acknowledging personal failings would be unthinkable for the former president as it would undermine his self-constructed identity.