Armstrong & Getty On Demand

Episode: I'm Sorry Jim, It's T-D-S
Date: November 19, 2025
Podcast Host: iHeartPodcasts

Episode Overview

This episode of "Armstrong & Getty On Demand" explores the intriguing concept of "Trump Derangement Syndrome" (TDS) through the lens of psychology and pop culture. The hosts dive into recent scientific perspectives on anxiety and obsessive-compulsive tendencies triggered by political figures, focusing mainly on reactions to Donald Trump. They kick off with a quirky digression about the domestication of raccoons, drawing parallels to dogs, before digging into the main discussion on TDS—its clinical reality, emotional impact, and broader implications for American society.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Domestication of Raccoons (00:13–05:13)

• The hosts begin with a lighthearted discussion about the potential domestication of raccoons, linking it to how dogs were once wild animals before becoming companions:
  • Raccoons are increasingly bold around humans, and less aggressive ones are more likely to survive and reproduce, potentially leading to domestication similar to dogs.
    • “The bolder, less aggressive ones, we kind of ignore. … The ones that are not aggressive reproduce. Thus evolution and… cool”—Getty (01:24)
  • Armstrong shares a basic overview of the genetics behind domestication, mentioning neural crest cells responsible for behavioral and physical changes (floppy ears, shorter muzzles, white patches).
    • “The very genes that control, ‘Hey, I’m bold enough to get close to humans,’ … [are] the same group of genes that result in a shorter muzzle, floppier ears, and like, white patches…”—Armstrong (01:59)
  • Both hosts reflect humorously on the future of raccoon pets and similarities to baby animals, suggesting that “cuteness” factors drive domesticity.

Transition to Trump Derangement Syndrome (TDS) (05:13–06:10)

• Armstrong clarifies the episode’s main focus: TDS, or Trump Derangement Syndrome.
  • Getty jokes about people fixating on Trump’s opinions and acting in opposition, even when it seems irrational:
    • “If Trump’s masks are bad, I’m wearing a mask for the next five years.”—Getty (06:10)

Clinical Perspective: TDS as a Real Syndrome (06:10–10:41)

• Armstrong discusses a psychotherapist’s findings that TDS can manifest as a mental health issue, sharing traits with anxiety and OCD:
  • Symptoms include intrusive thoughts, emotional dysregulation, compulsive news checking, physical agitation, sleeplessness.
    • “Many confess they can’t stop thinking about Donald Trump even when they try. … They interpret his every move as a threat…”—Armstrong (06:42)
  • Armstrong stresses that these symptoms can seriously affect people’s ability to relax or enjoy daily life:
    • “One patient told me, he writes, she couldn’t enjoy a family vacation because it felt wrong to relax while Trump was still out there.”—Armstrong (07:46)
    • Getty draws an analogy to “being in hate,” where Trump is the first and last thought of the day—(07:02).
• The hosts differentiate between genuine anxiety and performative group outrage, where people derive community and validation from shared fear.
• The psychotherapist’s analysis broadens the discussion from left-leaning sufferers to include some Trump supporters who feel personally threatened when Trump is criticized.
  • “In both cases, emotion replaces reason and psychological distance collapses. … Trump just becomes Trump or anti-Trump becomes how they express that.”—Armstrong (10:36)

Emotional Fixation vs. Rational Engagement (10:41–12:19)

• Armstrong shares his own example: he’s deeply concerned about socialism, but he’s still able to compartmentalize and enjoy life. He expresses sympathy for those unable to separate political obsessions from personal well-being.
  • “I hate it intensely … but the idea that I couldn’t enjoy a vacation knowing that Marxism is knocking on the door, no … I can’t imagine being so tortured by, you know, like any issue like that.”—Armstrong (10:54)
• Getty introduces the “God-sized hole” phrase, suggesting that for some, politics now fills roles once occupied by religion or community life—(12:06).
• Armstrong notes that modern isolation and lack of communal activities incite political obsession online, where anger and outrage are rewarded with attention.

Clinical Solutions and Final Thoughts (12:19–14:30)

• Armstrong discusses the recommended psychological treatment: differentiation, or learning to separate internal anxiety from external political figures.
  • “Patients must learn to separate internal anxiety from external reality and see Mr. Trump not as an emotional projection but, but as an external figure whose significance can be managed rather than magnified.”—Armstrong (13:16)
  • He empathizes with listeners who struggle with these fixations, joking that they might benefit from a pet raccoon instead.
  • Getty and Armstrong riff on amusing raccoon pet names and lightly mock early adopters of raccoon domestication.
• Armstrong wraps with sensible advice:
  • “You will never meet the President of the United States. Most likely, he will be gone in three years. Just control what you can in your own life and just leave it at that. Words of wisdom there, folks.”—Armstrong (14:17)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “The idea is that it’s kind of… the raccoons are kind of taking the same trajectory as dogs did.” — Getty (00:29)
• “The very genes that control… boldness are the same group of genes that result in a shorter muzzle, floppier ears, … and a dampened fear response.” — Armstrong (01:59)
• “It’s like being in hate. Your first thought in the morning is Donald Trump and what did he do to make my life worse?” — Getty (07:02)
• “Trump himself isn’t the pathology, he’s the trigger. For many, he functions as a psychological screen onto which unresolved fears and insecurities are projected.” — Armstrong (09:44)
• “You will never meet the President of the United States. … Just control what you can in your own life and just leave it at that.” — Armstrong (14:17)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Raccoon domestication, genetics, and cuteness: 00:13–03:30
• Metaphors about dogs, alert systems, and domestication history: 03:30–05:13
• Introduction of Trump Derangement Syndrome topic: 05:13–06:10
• Detailed description of TDS as an anxiety disorder: 06:10–07:59
• Personal/anecdotal experiences with TDS-like behavior: 07:59–08:35
• Clinical differentiation & projection dynamics for both Trump critics and supporters: 08:35–10:41
• Host reflections on emotional fixations & compartmentalizing political anxiety: 10:41–12:06
• “God-sized hole” theory and discussion about anger as an online motivator: 12:06–13:16
• Treatment suggestions and raccoon humor: 13:16–14:17
• Final, pragmatic advice about personal control vs. obsession: 14:17–14:30

Tone and Language

The conversation blends Armstrong & Getty’s hallmark mix of wry humor, philosophical pondering, and plainspoken social commentary. Their conversational style pivots between serious and comedic, ensuring clinical perspectives on TDS are accessible and often seasoned with irreverent asides (e.g., raccoon jokes, affectionate ribbing).

Summary Takeaway

In this episode, Armstrong & Getty use the phenomenon of TDS to raise thoughtful questions about modern anxiety, partisan obsession, and the psychological repercussions of 24/7 political news. They argue for both self-awareness and emotional distance, urging listeners not to let distant political figures dominate their inner lives—or their vacations.

For listeners interested in the intersection of psychology, politics, and everyday life (with a sprinkling of raccoon trivia), this episode is an insightful, engaging listen.