Trump ghostwriter 'deeply unsettled' by evidence of ex-president's 'psychopathy'

Donald Trump's ghostwriter for his myth-making memoir "The Art of the Deal" explained how the new film "The Apprentice" reveals how the former president's childhood trauma warped him into a "psychopath" intent on inflicting pain on the nation he seeks to lead.

The film depicts Trump's relationship with the two men who most influenced him – his father, Fred Trump, and his mentor and lawyer Roy Cohn – and author Tony Schwartz published a new op-ed for the New York Times describing how its depiction of the Republican nominee squared with his own observations.

"Since my time collaborating with Mr. Trump, I’ve spent my adult life studying, writing about and working with leaders and other high achievers," Schwartz wrote. "I’ve focused especially on how their early childhood experiences have influenced their adult lives — mostly unconsciously — and on exploring the often vast gulf between how they present themselves on the outside and how they feel on the inside. Mr. Trump, for me, has always been Exhibit A."

Schwartz, who has frequently expressed remorse for helping to build Trump's brand, said that his experience in writing the book he now views as "an unintended work of fiction" demonstrated two lessons he has seen play out in the reality TV star-turned-politician's life.

"The first lesson is that a lack of conscience can be a huge advantage when it comes to accruing power, attention and wealth in a society where most other human beings abide by a social contract," Schwartz wrote. "The second lesson is that nothing we get for ourselves from the outside world can ever adequately substitute for what we’re missing on the inside."

Trump has long demonstrated an "unquenchable thirst to be the center of attention," Schwartz wrote, which he attributes in large part to his admittedly "transactional" relationship with his father, who was "openly disdainful of any acknowledgment or expression of weakness or vulnerability."

"I still remember the chill I felt when Mr. Trump said those words, as if it was fine to have an almost completely transactional relationship with his father," Schwartz wrote.

Trump learned early on that bravado and boldness could substitute for actual accomplishments, Schwartz said, and Cohn taught him three principles that have been key to his success: "Attack, attack, attack; admit nothing and deny everything; and claim victory and never admit defeat. Mr. Trump took those principles to heart."

"It’s long been deeply unsettling to me how many behaviors associated with psychopathy Mr. Trump exemplifies," Schwartz wrote. "There are seven characteristics associated with 'antisocial personality disorder,' according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: deceitfulness, impulsivity, failure to conform to social norms with respect to lawful behaviors, irritability and aggressiveness, reckless disregard for the safety of self or others, consistent irresponsibility and lack of remorse."

"I’ve observed all seven in Mr. Trump over the years, and watched them get progressively worse," he then added. "It’s the last one — lack of remorse — that gives him license to freely exercise the other six."