Over two centuries ago, the red, white, and blue flag swung in victory as people celebrated their hard-earned independence. Today, people rip apart the sacred symbol and engulf it in flames in defiance of what the United States has become. Today, America is on fire. 

Chaos has welcomed the new year, already inciting public outroar. Donald Trump’s executive orders, such as reducing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs and withdrawing the United States from the ​​World Health Organization, have caused millions of Americans to question the President’s intentions for the country. 

For years, the media has highlighted the nation’s crumbling foundation, from Donald Trump bypassing Congress to fund the border wall to the unprecedented 2021 Capitol raid. Although these events are symptoms of deeper, long-building political instability, we have reached a breaking point leaving many questioning how or if we will survive a country on the verge of collapse.

To understand the crisis facing America, we must examine the complexity between political leadership, public trust, and our nation’s multiculturalism — powers that have set the stage for a deep national reckoning. There is no singular story. 

As we face the consequences of our political climate, it is essential to understand how deeply the government affects the American people in their everyday lives. An American Psychological Association poll in October 2024 identified that the future of our nation is a major stressor for 77% of survey participants, with 69% attributing it to the 2024 presidential election. Although this percentage is similar to the 68% of Americans cited in a 2020 poll,  a major difference exists in how Americans perceive the outcome of the 2024 election — the end of democracy as we know it. 

With Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 presidential election, it is important to note two things: first, before the election, over 200 mental health professionals signed a letter to warn the public and government that Trump showed “symptoms of severe, untreatable personality disorder — malignant narcissism.” Malignant narcissism is a personality disorder that merges narcissistic traits with antisocial behavior; with symptoms such as manipulation, aggression, and sadism. However, the leader of America must exhibit traits opposite to these as the position demands empathy, compassion, and selflessness, second, a post-2024 election study in December 2024 found that 39% of respondents emphasized less trust in the government, with 41% saying they had less confidence that the government is honest with the public. Trump’s shining victory has cast a tragic shadow over millions of lives and this erosion of trust signals a deeper instability in the nation’s political state — one that raises urgent questions about the future of democracy itself. As shown, the diagnosis of Donald Trump as a narcissist correlates to poor perceptions of the government by emphasizing a perceived lack of empathy and selflessness in leadership. When leaders prioritize their desires over the needs of the public, it creates a cloud of doubt over the government’s honesty and integrity. Why is it important to understand the psychological makeup of government leaders? It helps the public understand the intentions behind government actions and how to recognize and combat potential corruption or self-serving behaviors.

To explore this further, I spoke with Dr. Samuel Gosling, a psychology professor at The University of Texas at Austin, who focuses on how personality is expressed in everyday contexts. In our interview, Dr. Gosling tackled our current government through a personality lens: 

Ximena Carrillo (Interviewer): Why do you think many people who were very outspoken during the most recent presidential election are now expressing regret?

Dr. Samuel Gosling: You have to deal with reality. I mean, I guess that’s the difference. Right? Is that you have to face reality because you are in a position to do so. You know that reality has constraints imposed by economic or political factors, or what other people say and do. It’s common across elections for people to over-promise.

Carrillo: So, how do you think Donald Trump’s personality influences the landscape and people’s behavior during his presidency? Do these traits resonate with the public in ways we might not expect?

Gosling: Yeah, I think so. There is evidence for impulsiveness. Lots of people are frustrated with the current situation. I am basing this on something I read by a political psychologist named Arie W. Kruglanski. Essentially, there are two ways that people want to bring about change: one is rallying behind a leader who says, “I am going to lead you,” and that is sort of very much part of why people are captured by Donald Trump, who says, “Leave it to me. I am going to take care of it. I am the deal maker. I am the boss on this,” versus people who want to be more part of a movement — you know where it is saying, “Hey, let us all do this together. We are all in this.”

Carrillo: It sounds like the two different ways are between individualism versus something that invites collaboration. Do you think that Trump is leaning more toward the individualistic side? 

Gosling: Yeah, yeah, very much so. I think Kamala Harris was taking the movement position, you know. Yeah, Trump’s a very good example of that “leader” position — “It is about me doing this, and you will follow me and believe what I say.” 

Carrillo: Regarding that, how do you think the dynamics between the public and government have shifted in recent years? Are people becoming more cynical? Or are they just responding to political trauma in different ways?

Gosling: There is evidence for this increasing divide. People do not know where to turn to for reliable, unbiased information. As a consequence, all sides have been led to distrust what the various governments say, and what all politicians say, whether they are in power or not.

Carrillo: Interesting. What personality traits are most valued in the United States? And have they, or have they not, evolved?

Gosling: Assertiveness, dominance, extroversion, independence, you know? In general, Democrat-leaning people see compromise as a positive thing, whereas in general, Republican-leaning people see it as a bad thing. I think these subtle changes in values are at the heart of the difficulties in getting along and finding solutions. 

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Dr. Gosling’s insight highlights how the personality of the government is tied to the public’s trust and support. Yet, instead of enabling openness, clarity, and prosperity, our government deepens the divide between those in power and the public, prioritizing political maneuvering over accountability and democratic principles. As a result, citizens are left feeling disillusioned and powerless in a system that is designed to serve only the elite. 

The divide between the government and the public is only deepening as Americans face the consequences of politics. Specifically, Donald Trump continues to target the “underdog” — marginalized communities who feel the impact of his words, orders, and distaste the most. 

To better understand how political dynamics impact marginalized communities on a deeper level, I spoke with Dr. Gladys Valdez, a psychology professor at The University of Texas at Austin, who focuses on how multiculturalism exists in today’s society. In our interview, Dr. Valdez analyzed our current government through a multicultural lens. 

Carrillo: In your expert opinion, has American society progressed, stagnated, or regressed in terms of multicultural competence?

Dr. Gladys Valdez: I do not think multicultural competence is something that we can achieve. I think that we can strive towards being more inclusive and towards competence. But if you ever believe you achieved it, you are already behind because the world changes. People change, the players change. So has our society improved, declined, or stayed the same? It is cyclical. I do not think it is one-directional. I think overall, if you want to look at the slope, I think it has improved, but I do not think it has been a smooth ride at all. Yeah, not linear. 

Carrillo: I agree! Do you think our current government has that (striving for multicultural competence) as a priority, or is it something that has been put in the back? 

Valdez: I do not think it has been “put in the back.” I think it has completely been purposely obliterated. Our government is making efforts to eradicate any movement towards multiculturalism and cultural competence. I think it has been seen as something that is threatening. 

Carrillo: Interesting. Considering our current government, what do you believe is the root cause of the lack of empathy they have toward minorities? 

Valdez: Fear. Fear of losing power. In the government’s mind, there is a pie of the amount of resources. People who have more conservative values around multiculturalism see it as, “This is my pie, and I am not going to give you a little bit of my pie, because then I am without that piece of pie. So I am going to keep the pie myself. There is only so much pie to go around, so I may throw you a crumb here and there to appease you, but I am not going to.” Is this realistic? No. I think that inclusivity does not threaten other than it creates change. And people do not like change because they fear they will lose power. 

Carrillo: Concerning that, do you think that America’s multicultural landscape will continue to evolve? 

Valdez: I like to think that eventually, things will continue to evolve for more inclusiveness. I just think that, at the moment, there is a lot of resistance. If you told me just now, in the next four years what is going to happen, I am not hopeful. But from a broader view and thinking about the future, I do see a lot of hope. 

Carrillo: Do you have any opinions on the entitlement that white individuals might feel over people of color? 

Valdez: I think it speaks a lot to who we have valued as human beings on a very basic level. Sometimes it is just so pervasive in our society, though, that I do not think people even think about the biases they hold. The entitlement is given, passed down, and reinforced. 

Carrillo: I see. Do you have any opinions on why people of color who backed Trump during the election are now regretting it? 

Valdez: I remember one time I was talking to a friend who said that they would hire “una Bucha” to come and clean their house. And I was like, “Oh, how young is she?” because “una Bucha” is a teenager or young adult. My friend said, “She is older than my mom.” And I was like, huh? And what I uncovered is that they had a certain superior status. They felt superior to the woman because she was from Mexico and was “browner.” I think, even when we are Mexican and Mexican-American when you have a status where you still can see yourself above someone else, you want to hold that place. So why do people support Trump when they are part of marginalized groups? Because they do not see themselves as the lowest of the low. So I think that if we can “otherize” people and feel superior, then we can support regimes that make us not want to unify. They do not want that, so they will support rhetoric that will reinforce “them versus us.”

Carrillo: Now, how do you think that the emotional and psychological responses to political leaders and movements impact the mental health of individuals? 

Valdez: People are suffering. A lot of people are being victimized, targeted, and made to feel othered. And that’s on a very basic level. On a more extreme level, people are being hurt and opportunities are being taken away — from subtle microaggressions to full-on racial attacks. So yeah, it impacts mental health a lot. It is hard to thrive when you are feeling like it is not safe. The impact is apparent, and we are in it.

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Dr. Valdez’s analysis of current American society paints a clear picture — we are in the middle of a historical choice between fear and collaboration. America stands at a crossroads, and to reclaim the values that once united us, we must take responsibility as citizens and individuals to challenge the system’s intent to divide us. 

The psychological perspectives shared by Dr. Gosling and Dr. Valdez highlight how leadership traits, government actions, and fear-driven resistance to multiculturalism have shaped the nation’s current crisis. The consequences of these dynamics manifest in everyday anxieties, fractured communities, and a growing sense of hopelessness among Americans.

A nation’s fate is not predetermined, but shaped by the people who challenge its injustices. Democracy’s survival will need more than passive hope — it will demand accountability, resilience, and a commitment to equality. Only through action and understanding can the red, white, and blue fly high again, not just as a symbol, but as a true reflection of the ideals it once embodied. Therefore, the question is not whether America will burn, but whether the American people will rise from the ashes to rebuild a stronger and united nation.