America Admits To TDS In Themselves And Others

A national survey of 1,250 registered voters conducted by TechnoMetrica’s TIPP Poll from October 16–19, 2026, will surprise those who don’t believe Trump Derangement Syndrome (TDS) is real because 38% of those polled reported personally experiencing what the survey described as TDS, and 70% say that they have observed emotional stress, anger or agitation (some symptoms of TDS) in others, in response to appearances or events involving President Trump.

Why DSM Recognition Matters

As a board-certified psychiatrist, who has spent the past two years developing diagnostic criteria for Trump Derangement Syndrome for the purpose of advocating that it be added to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), the results of this poll strongly support such inclusion.

The DSM is published by the American Psychiatric Association (APA), the nation’s leading professional organization for psychiatrists. The APA represents more than 40,000 psychiatrists and establishes standards for psychiatric diagnosis and treatment in the United States. Because the DSM serves as the primary reference used by clinicians, hospitals, researchers, and insurers to identify and classify mental disorders, recognition of a condition in the DSM can encourage greater research, awareness, diagnosis, and access to treatment.

If TDS was an official diagnosis, more people would have access to treatment, since more mental health professionals would recognize the symptoms, understand the psychodynamics underneath the disorder, and recognize the urgency of treatment, since it can lead to serious consequences for friendships, marriages, families, businesses, and society as a whole.

TDS is due to an individual’s personal reaction to President Trump based upon their childhood or adulthood experiences. They project these past experiences and their general dissatisfaction with life onto Trump and blame him for them. This is elucidated in more detail in my proposal to the APA.

It has also contributed to an atmosphere in which extreme hostility toward President Trump can flourish. In the most extreme cases, it has emboldened people to attempt to assassinate President Trump, his family and cabinet.

Furthermore, our enemies have taken advantage of this “virus” to weaken our morale and democracy.

Additional Poll Findings

The survey revealed a number of other noteworthy findings. More than half of respondents (54%) said they had personally experienced negative emotional reactions to President Trump, with 18% describing those emotions as intense.

Seventy-seven percent said negative reactions toward President Trump are stronger than those directed toward recent presidents, including Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Joe Biden. In fact, this proved to be the most lopsided finding in the survey.

Seventy-three percent believe negative feelings toward President Trump will influence how people they know vote in the upcoming election, while 74% believe media coverage contributes to negative reactions toward President Trump.

Impact on Relationships and Behavior

In a question asking about specific types of behavioral changes, 72% of respondents reported observing at least one of the listed behaviors among people with strong feelings against President Trump.

Looking at the types of behavior change, 41% said these people refused to socialize with friends or family who liked President Trump; 38% engaged in some activity to protest President Trump; and 37% were obsessed with Trump and had simmering anger toward those, even strangers, who might like him.

The Most Serious Manifestations

One of the most disturbing findings is that 22% of respondents reported observing threatening, aggressive, or violent behavior associated with strong negative reactions toward President Trump.

While many manifestations of TDS involve emotional distress, family conflict, social isolation, or political activism, this finding suggests that, in its most extreme forms, these reactions can escalate into conduct that threatens public safety. The most extreme manifestations of anti-Trump fixation have included assassination attempts against President Trump.

Understanding the psychological roots of these intense reactions is therefore not merely a political question, but a mental health and societal concern.

The poll also found that 50% of respondents acknowledged that they, themselves, had experienced behavior changes because of negative emotional reactions toward President Trump, including withdrawing from family members and friends, engaging in protest activities, or becoming preoccupied with President Trump and those who support him.

Treatment and Counseling

Another interesting finding is that 44% of respondents agreed that psychological counseling should be available to people who are experiencing intense negative emotional reactions toward President Trump. This would be facilitated if TDS was given an official place in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.

Looking Beyond Politics

In my proposal to the American Psychiatric Association, presented on October 28, 2026, I go into far greater depth regarding the symptoms, diagnostic criteria, and underlying psychological causes of TDS. The condition goes far beyond merely “liking” or “disliking” President Trump. This is a critical step in the recognition of the disorder and its treatment, not only for people across a broad spectrum of demographics today, but for future generations.

The survey findings suggest that we are witnessing a phenomenon that affects emotions, relationships, behavior, civic engagement, and even voting decisions. The roots of TDS are profound and deserve serious study by mental health professionals, researchers, policymakers, and the public alike.

As Americans continue debating the future of our nation, the findings of this first national survey suggest that understanding the emotional and psychological dimensions of our political climate may be more important than ever—not only for today’s society but for future Americans.

Dr. Carole Lieberman, M.D., M.P.H., is a board-certified psychiatrist. She has spent the past two years developing proposed diagnostic criteria for Trump Derangement Syndrome and advocating for its consideration by the American Psychiatric Association.

TIPP’s reputation for polling excellence comes from being the most accurate pollster for the past six presidential elections.

Download: Executive Summary and Survey Results

Proposal to the American Psychiatric Association