This newsletter is going to be different.
Whether you love him, hate him, or just enjoy the spectacle, there’s no denying that Donald Trump is one of the most fascinating figures in modern history. He’s not just a politician. He’s a brand, a movement, a force of nature.
And if you strip away the noise—the politics, the scandals, the larger-than-life persona—you’re left with something undeniably interesting: a personal growth strategy that has propelled him from real estate mogul to reality TV star to President of the United States… and back to the political arena again.
Now, before you throw your phone across the room or start composing an angry tweet, let me be clear: this is NOT an endorsement or a takedown. This is an exploration. A deep dive into the four rules that have shaped Trump’s worldview and, in turn, his success.
So let’s step back from politics for a moment.
What if, instead of judging, we simply observed? What if we looked at Trump—not as a politician—but as a case study in personal growth, influence, and the psychology of success?
What if we examined his mindset?
Because here’s the truth: The man has defied every expectation, broken every rule of conventional leadership, and still remains one of the most influential figures on the planet. He has lost and won, been written off and resurrected, faced scandals and indictments—and yet, his grip on his followers is unshakable.
So, what’s his secret?
What guiding principles have shaped him into the force he is today?
And perhaps most importantly—is there anything we can learn from them?
Visiting Mar-a-Lago & the movie The Apprentice
I got a firsthand glimpse into Trump’s world when I was invited to Mar-a-Lago a few months ago. I also have friends who have worked with him, been in meetings with him, and even done business deals with him. The insights they’ve shared with me paint a fascinating picture.
But what really sparked this letter was watching the film The Apprentice. The movie explores Trump’s relationship with the infamous American lawyer Roy Cohn, a man who once defended the mafia and was an ally of Senator Joseph McCarthy during the communist Red Scare in America.
The acting in the film was phenomenal— and the actors Sebastian Stan as Trump, Jeremy Strong as Cohn delivered Oscar-worthy performances.
But what struck me the most about the movie wasn’t just the acting—it was how it depicted Trump’s evolution. It showed his transformation from an eager, sweet, and somewhat naïve young man into the relentless, larger-than-life force he eventually became.
At the heart of it all were three laws that Roy Cohn imparted to Trump. These three rules—plus a fourth one that I picked up from reading The Art of the Deal years ago—form the foundation of Trump’s personal growth philosophy.
Are you ready? Buckle up.
Who was Roy Cohn?
To understand Trump’s personal growth philosophy, you need to understand Roy Cohn. If Trump is the ultimate showman-turned-politician, Cohn was the mastermind behind the curtain.
Cohn first rose to prominence as Joseph McCarthy’s chief counsel during the infamous Red Scare, where he helped orchestrate the anti-communist witch hunts of the 1950s. He was ruthless, unapologetic, and had a simple rule—never admit defeat, never apologize, and always attack.
When McCarthy fell from grace, Cohn reinvented himself as a power broker in New York, working as a mob lawyer and rubbing shoulders with the rich and powerful. It was during this time that he became Donald Trump’s mentor.
Cohn taught Trump how to weaponize the legal system, how to manipulate the press, and—most importantly—how to create an untouchable personal brand. He wasn’t just Trump’s lawyer; he was his strategist, consigliere, and attack dog all rolled into one.
Cohn had three ironclad rules. Rules that Trump absorbed like a sponge.
- Attack, attack, attack
- Admit nothing, deny everything
- Always claim victory
And then, years later, Trump added his own fourth rule—one that would become his ultimate superpower.
- Relentless optimism
These four rules became the foundation of Trump’s personal philosophy. And whether you agree with them or not, you can’t deny their impact.
Ironically, Cohn’s own downfall mirrored the tactics he taught Trump. In 1986, he was disbarred for unethical conduct—fraud, perjury, and unethical business practices. His response? Complete denial. Even as his career crumbled, he insisted he was the victim of a political conspiracy.
Trump absorbed all of this. And even after Cohn’s death from AIDS in 1986, his influence lived on in Trump’s philosophy of power and survival.
In the movie The Apprentice, it’s suggested that Cohn mentored Trump and asked him to follow the following 3 Rules of Life.
Rule #1: Attack, attack, attack
In The Art of War, Sun Tzu wrote:
“Opportunities multiply as they are seized.”
In other words: Never play defense. Always strike first.
This was Roy Cohn’s number one rule, and Trump didn’t just adopt it—he made it his core philosophy.
If you observe Trump’s career, you’ll see one pattern repeating over and over again: He never waits for an attack. He preempts it. He overwhelms. He escalates. He turns every battle into a scorched-earth war.
I had a fascinating conversation about this with Richard Branson on Necker Island in September 2024. Branson—who has been quite vocal about his distaste for Trump—shared something revealing.
During the 2016 elections, both Trump and Hillary Clinton invited him to separate meetings.
When he sat down with Hillary, she spoke about governance, strategy, innovation, and policy.
When he met with Trump? The entire conversation was about revenge.
Trump listed people who had wronged him, one by one, and described exactly how he planned to destroy them.
Branson walked out of that meeting shaken.
He had never met someone so singularly obsessed with retaliation.
But here’s the thing: It worked.
Trump’s relentless attacks obliterated his political rivals. In 2016, one by one, every Republican candidate who stood in his way was demolished.
This isn’t just politics. This is branding warfare.
Robert Greene, in The 48 Laws of Power, puts it this way:
“Crush your enemy totally.”
Trump doesn’t just defeat opponents. He erases them from relevance.
But what about those who stand with him?
That’s a different story.
At Mar-a-Lago, I saw this firsthand.
I had been invited to a private dinner for an incoming governor in March 2024. The attendees were some of the most politically influential people in America. And while I didn’t necessarily share their political views, I found them to be polite, warm, and genuinely kind individuals.
But the conversations? Fascinating.
One person confidently told me that 350,000 Chinese operatives had crossed the U.S. border and were waiting for China’s signal to attack America.
Another person claimed that two million terrorists were currently hiding within the United States.
Someone else insisted that Biden wasn’t actually running the country—that Barack Obama was secretly in charge, funded by George Soros.
Now, let’s be clear—I don’t think these beliefs hold up under objective scrutiny.
But what struck me was this: These weren’t angry, aggressive conspiracy theorists. They were polite, rational, and open to discussion.
When I questioned some of their claims, they listened. No tension. No fights. Just discussion.
And then, Trump walked in.
The energy in the room shifted instantly.
I have only seen a handful of people who radiate this level of charisma in person. The Dalai Lama is one of them.
As he greeted the crowd, he pointed at us and said:
“I love you!”
The room exploded.
“We love you, Mr. President!”
“We’re with you till the end!”
It was a level of loyalty that is extremely rare for any leader.
Regardless of what you think of him, Trump’s magnetism is undeniable.
But here’s the paradox: If you oppose him, he will try to destroy you.
And in American politics, that Machiavellian strategy has proven to be highly effective.
Rule #2: Admit nothing, deny everything
If Rule #1 is about overwhelming your enemies with force, Rule #2 is about something even more powerful: controlling reality itself.
This is Roy Cohn’s second golden rule, and Trump has turned it into an art form.
The rule is simple: Never admit fault. Never concede. Deny everything. No matter what.
This isn’t just about avoiding accountability. This is about bending reality to your will.
And Trump has done this over and over again, with astonishing effectiveness.
Let’s look at some of the most infamous examples.
Case study: The lawsuit that “never happened”
One of Trump’s earliest legal battles came in the 1970s when the U.S. Department of Justice sued Trump’s father’s company for racial discrimination in housing.
Trump’s response?
They didn’t just deny the charges—they counter-sued the U.S. government.
Eventually, the Trumps settled. But how did Trump spin it?
“We didn’t lose. We won.”
Factually, this was untrue. But in Trump’s world, it became true.
And this pattern would repeat throughout his entire career.
The 2020 election: The ultimate reality distortion field
Nowhere is this rule more evident than in Trump’s handling of the 2020 election.
Every court ruling, every recount, every single legal fact pointed to the same conclusion: Trump lost.
And yet, to this day, millions of people still believe he won.
Why?
Because he never admitted defeat.
Instead, he reframed the entire election as a stolen victory. He flooded social media with claims of fraud, manipulated perception, and planted a seed that no amount of evidence could uproot.
This is the power of Rule #2.
If you simply refuse to acknowledge reality, you force the world to choose: Do they believe their own eyes? Or do they believe you?
And if you’re charismatic enough, bold enough, and unyielding enough—people will believe you.
Trump’s superpower: The ability to rewrite history in real-time
A few months ago, I spoke to a seminar organizer who used to book Trump for speaking events before he became President.
He told me something mind-blowing.
There was a seminar where 8,000 people attended.
After the event, he followed Trump back to his suite for a quick chat.
Trump picked up the phone, called Melania, and said:
“Can you believe it? 18,000 people showed up to see me!”
Now—Trump knew the real number.
The seminar organizer was sitting right next to him.
And yet, in that moment, Trump rewrote the past.
Not out of forgetfulness. Not out of a simple exaggeration.
But because, in his mind, 18,000 was now a reality.
And this is where Trump does something most people can’t comprehend:
He doesn’t just lie—he creates a new truth.
Most of us, when confronted with reality, adjust our beliefs. Trump does the opposite.
He adjusts reality to fit his beliefs.
The big leap: Trump and the absence of an “upper limit”
Now, let’s pause for a moment—because there’s a fascinating personal growth concept at play here.
Gay Hendricks, in The Big Leap, talks about something called the Upper Limit Problem.
The idea is that most people have an internal thermostat for success, happiness, and self-worth.
When we exceed that limit—whether it’s a big career win, a massive relationship breakthrough, or a financial windfall—we subconsciously sabotage ourselves to return to our comfort zone.
Trump?
He has the opposite problem.
He doesn’t see limits at all.
He expands reality to fit his version of himself.
Call it narcissism. Call it delusion.
But the reality is—it works.
Because the world believes the people who believe in themselves the most.
This brings us to…
Rule #3: Always claim victory
There’s a phrase in branding and persuasion that goes like this:
“It’s not about the truth. It’s about the truth people believe.”
And no one embodies this more than Trump.
Roy Cohn’s third golden rule was simple but incredibly effective: No matter what happens, always claim victory.
Even when you lose.
Even when the facts say otherwise.
Because here’s the secret: People don’t remember details. They remember the story. And the story that wins is the one told with the most conviction.
Trump understands this better than almost anyone alive.
He doesn’t just claim victory—he does it with so much confidence that people start questioning reality itself.
The 2020 election: The biggest “victory” that never happened
Let’s take a step back to the 2020 election.
By every possible metric—legal, statistical, factual—Trump lost.
The courts ruled against him. Recounts confirmed the results. Every piece of credible evidence pointed to the same conclusion: Joe Biden won.
But Trump never conceded.
Instead, he reframed the loss as a fraudulent victory.
He planted the idea that the election was stolen, and once that narrative took hold, no amount of evidence could shake it. And here’s what’s absolutely mind-blowing—millions still believe it.
Not because the claim was supported by facts. But because it was delivered with conviction.
This is why Trump is still the dominant force in Republican politics today. Because he never allowed himself to be seen as a loser. In the world of influence and personal branding, losing is often worse than being wrong. And Trump knows that.
The bankruptcy “wins”
The 2020 election wasn’t the first time Trump rewrote history in real-time. In the 1990s, his business empire was crumbling.
- His Atlantic City casinos were bleeding money.
- He filed for multiple bankruptcies.
- His investors lost billions.
For most business leaders, this would have been the end. But not for Trump.
He never admitted failure. Instead, he rebranded bankruptcy as a genius business move. He walked away from his casino failures richer than before—while his investors got wiped out.
But if you ask him? He’ll tell you he won. And because he never acknowledged defeat, most people never saw him as a failure.
The inauguration crowd that “grew” on its own
One of the most blatant examples of this rule happened on Trump’s first day in office.
During his inauguration, news outlets published aerial photos comparing his crowd size to Obama’s 2009 inauguration.
And the difference was clear: Obama’s crowd was far bigger.
So what did Trump do?
He simply declared that his crowd was the largest in history. Even though the photos proved otherwise.
Rather than backing down, his press secretary doubled down on the claim. Suddenly, the conversation wasn’t about policies, the economy, or the future—it was about who had the biggest crowd.
And by the time the media finished arguing about it, Trump had already moved on.
The power of reframing reality
The lesson here isn’t just about Trump.
It’s about human psychology.
- Entrepreneurs sell themselves as billionaires before they hit their first million.
- Athletes visualize their victories before stepping onto the field.
- CEOs project confidence in their startups, even when their companies are burning cash.
Because here’s the truth: Winning is often a matter of perception. And if you can control the perception, you can control reality.
When this works (and when it doesn’t)
Now, this rule is incredibly powerful—but it has two sides.
If you declare victory with conviction, you can:
- Attract investors who believe in your vision.
- Build momentum even when the odds are against you.
- Create the feeling of winning—which often leads to actual success.
But there’s a dark side: delusion.
If you keep claiming victory even when reality is crumbling, eventually, the truth catches up.
- Investors stop believing in you.
- Employees lose faith.
- Your empire collapses.
So the real question isn’t just, “Does this work?”—because it clearly does.
The real question is: How far would you take it? Because once you start bending reality, it’s easy to lose sight of the truth altogether.
And that leads us to Trump’s final rule—his true superpower.
Rule #4: Relentless optimism
Roy Cohn taught Trump how to attack and deny, but the fourth and final rule in Trump’s personal growth playbook comes from a very different source: Norman Vincent Peale, the pastor who shaped Trump’s core belief system.
Peale’s philosophy, outlined in The Power of Positive Thinking, was radical self-belief taken to the extreme. His mantra? “If you think it, it will be so.” In other words, reality bends to the will of those who believe hard enough. And Trump has lived by this principle his entire life.
The power of positive illusions
This explains why Trump’s many financial collapses never seemed to faze him. Even when his Atlantic City casinos went bankrupt, he walked into meetings projecting absolute confidence—so much so that banks kept lending him money. He convinced investors that failure wasn’t real because, in his mind, it simply wasn’t an option.
And it wasn’t just business—this mindset shaped his entire approach to politics. Take his presidential campaign in 2016. Pundits laughed at the idea of a reality TV star with no political experience winning the White House. The media dismissed his campaign as a joke. And yet, Trump acted as if victory was inevitable from day one. His supporters felt his confidence, and that belief became contagious.
Failure? What failure?
Most people, when they suffer a public failure, go into damage control. They issue apologies, explain their mistakes, and try to win back credibility.
Not Trump.
When something doesn’t go his way, he simply acts like it never happened. His businesses collapse? “That was a smart business move.” His administration fumbles a policy? “It was actually a huge success.”
And here’s the wild part—people buy it.
Psychologists call this “positive illusions”, a cognitive bias where people who maintain extreme optimism—even in the face of failure—end up influencing reality itself. When a leader truly believes they are winning, they can convince others to follow them—even if the facts say otherwise.
Trump’s ultimate psychological shield
One of the most fascinating things about Trump’s relentless optimism is how it serves as a psychological shield.
A former White House aide once described watching him walk into a meeting completely unprepared, bluff his way through, and leave convinced he had dominated the room. He had no self-doubt. No hesitation. Just pure, unshakable confidence.
And the thing is, this kind of mindset is scientifically proven to work. Studies have shown that leaders who project confidence—whether or not it’s justified—are perceived as more competent. Even when they fail, people see them as visionaries rather than frauds.
The real lesson: When optimism becomes delusion
So, does relentless optimism work? Absolutely. It keeps you moving forward. It makes failure feel like a temporary inconvenience rather than a real setback. It builds an aura of invincibility.
But there’s a fine line between optimism and delusion.
At some point, reality catches up. Investors pull out. Supporters grow skeptical. And if you’ve built your empire entirely on positive illusions, the crash can be catastrophic.
So, the real question isn’t whether Trump’s relentless optimism is effective.
The question is: How far would you take it?
Final thoughts
Would you use these rules?
Trump’s rules—Attack Relentlessly, Deny Everything, Always Claim Victory, and Stay Relentlessly Optimistic—aren’t just political tactics. They are principles of influence, branding, and personal resilience that have been used by leaders, CEOs, and power players throughout history.
These rules have built billion-dollar empires, crushed opposition, and propelled him to the highest office in the world. They are also rooted in psychological strategies used by the most powerful figures throughout history—from military generals to corporate titans to media moguls.
But they also come with a cost.
When you attack relentlessly, you create enemies who never forget. When you deny reality, reality eventually catches up. When you always claim victory, you risk delusion. And when you stay relentlessly optimistic, you walk a fine line between confidence and blind arrogance.
Yet, these strategies work—at least for a time. And perhaps that’s why Trump, even in the face of indictments, bankruptcies, and political defeats, remains as influential as ever.
And here’s the thing. If you had asked me before that evening in March 2024 at Mar-a-Lago, I would have said—without hesitation—that I was anti-Trump. Not because of his policies, not because of his party, but because I had assumed he was a vengeful, hateful man. Someone so consumed by anger and ego that being in a room with him would be suffocating.
But that wasn’t the man I met. The Trump I saw was the exact opposite—charismatic, warm, full of high energy. And honestly? He was just fun to be around. Not the monster I had expected.
And it wasn’t just him.
I had also assumed that the MAGA movement was filled with narrow-minded conspiracy theorists, racists, and hateful and delusional people who saw the world in extremes. But the people I met in that room weren’t like that at all. They were kind. They were generous. They were intelligent. They operated from a different set of facts, yes—but they were open to discussion. They listened. They debated politely. They were willing to engage.
That night, I had to confront an uncomfortable truth about myself.
A lot of the conclusions I made about Trump and his followers came from one side of the media. And that had shaped my worldview into a rigid, binary perspective—where certain politicians were good and others were evil.
But life isn’t binary. Everything lies on a spectrum.
And in that spectrum are shades of gray—nuances that get erased when we let ourselves be polarized.
That night, I left with a newfound conviction: the moment you label one side as “good” and the other as “bad,” you stop seeing reality. You stop analyzing people for who they actually are, and instead, you judge them based on the version of them you’ve been fed.
I no longer see the world that way. And I don’t think anyone else should, either. Because the best way to truly see the truth about someone isn’t to assume. It isn’t to rely on what you’re told. It’s to analyze them yourself—to look at them with an open mind, to see both their light and their shadow, and to recognize that we all exist somewhere in between.
So, the real question isn’t just whether these rules work.
The real question is: Would you use them?
If you would or wouldn’t, let me know in the comments below.
Because at the end of the day, power isn’t about being right—it’s about knowing how to play the game.
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Comment by Vishen:
I want to be clear, this newsletter is not meant to be political – America is divided on their voting choices and I won’t bring politics into Mindvalley. But I have been clear since 2016 on my stance on Trump. He is not the right man to lead America and has too many flaws of character. Even the day before the election I went on Instagram live to endorse Harris (on my insta, not Mindvalley). I still hold the view that Trump should not have won. But my job is to bring unity and not get political on Mindvalley. This article is designed to provoke thought and to show that in politics today – Machiavellian and Sun Tzu principles oftentimes trump spiritual laws. For each rule I’m not suggesting one adopt them – I’m only shining light on the belief system behind them.
505 Responses
This is vishen. I want to be clear, this newsletter is not meant to be political – America is divided on their voting choices and I won’t bring politics into Mindvalley. But I have been clear since 2016 on my stance on Trump. He is not the right man to lead America and has too many flaws of character. Even the day before the election I went on instagram live to endorse Harris (on my insta, not Mindvalley). I still hold the view that Trump should not have won. But my job is to bring unity and not get political on Mindvalley. This article is designed to provoke thought and to show that in politics today – Machiavellian and Sun Tzu principles oftentimes trump spiritual laws. For each rule I’m not suggesting one adopt them – I’m only shining light on the belief system behind them. 🙏
I appreciate the response.
Thank you for responding Vishen.
In physics, in order to analyze a system, we put it in a ‘black box’, completely cut off from its connections and influences from the real world. It’s an oversimplification that allows us to find clarity. Ultimately we know that the system can never operate this way. The real world always skews the solution. I think you did this for this blog. You put Trump in a black box to (I believe correctly) analyze his strategy but your audience is (I think also correctly) calling out that it’s an oversimplification without regard to the consequences of Trump’s “winning” strategies. The two can never be separated for an accurate view rooted in reality.
Trump doesn’t operate in a vacuum. His winning is hurting so many people and empowering so much hateful barbarism. If he is indeed bending reality successfully, he is bending it in a backwards and dark direction. We need not accept his reality and can instead pursue a vision for the future that is more rooted in actual reality, allowing our inevitable interconnectedness and interdependence to uplift and empower us. This sort of commentary from someone of your stature would have created a tiny dent in the universe, a chip in Trumps aura, and an idea your community could run with. 🫶
🙏
Hey Vishen. I say this with great respect for you & everyone who has had a hand in building MindValley into this incredible resource of information to help us grow in all facets of life.
Have said that, & I know this might not have been your intention but by analyzing DT’s mindset your post is going to be political.
Believe there are other people OR examples to examine and explain these key points of relentless optimism. Not sure Denying Everything is even a good suggestion to forward along.
Keep in mind many of us in U.S. do not like the political structure and realize that U.S. is a very divided country.
MindValley should be a place where I do not have to be reminded of this.
Would appreciate if any & all analysis of DT is not any of the MindValley system. Either currently OR in the future.
It does not bother me enough to cancel my membership (not currently) but if more analysis is done, I will cancel.
Just know it is different reading your post as a U.S. Citizen verse non as it is tough to escape the media machine & MV is a place I come to seek comfort, solace, and knowledge. Not what DT is doing right etc..
Please consider dropping the DT analysis while he is President of the U.S.
Thank you.
Namaste.
SNB
I am glad you’ve opened your mind, and heart and eyes! I stopped following you when I felt your bias, even tho you tried to be unpolitical. You are a wonderful leader and offer many opportunities to many people and I commend that! Your news letter will help others to be more objective too I believe. Thank you for that
What shocked me about your newsletter was that, indeed, it was NOT about politics. Rather, you were illuminating the principles behind Trump’s mindset and then going on to tell what an interesting person he and his close mates are.
I am not American, I have never emotionally related to the deep division between the two parties, and thus I would be surprised to hear you are now pro-Republican, but honestly that wouldn’t be such a big deal in my eyes. I do not condemn Republicans.
However, to read that you normalize a person like Trump, who – daily, proves that he gives a f.. about the people he should be serving and protecting, that he is beneath nothing that will make him more money, make him more influential and more powerful – that really did shock me.
The aunt of my father-in-law used to rave about how charismatic Adolf Hitler was. “You should have listened to him – that man could talk!” she used to say, until she died aged 98, some twenty years ago. I do judge a person by what they DO, not by how “fun” their company is. Someone can be a great granddad and still be a fascist. Trust me, I have a nation of ancestors to back that up.
I also find it irritating that you claim the people at that meeting were willing to discuss – it was just that they believed in alternative facts. Wow. If THAT is where bending reality will lead your in the future, I fear I need to move away from Mindvalley. I am open to energetic alternative realities, but I will not debate immigrants eating cats because someone declares this their delusional reality.
How can you seriously ask your community if we will use the same oppressive, immoral and ruthless tactics that Trump and Elon are currently bringing to the table? You are right, this is not about politics at all. This is an insult to any morally healthy human being, and being asked this question by you – of all people, left me speechless.
I do find it interesting to investigate Trump’s mindset rules. And I agree, we have to bridge divides rather than deepen them. So my reaction is also not rooted in politics.
If you only wanted to shine light on the belief system, as you remarked in today’s reply, then this went wrong from my perspective. It pretty much came across like: nothing is more successful than success – so if you want success, maybe you should consider giving those principles a shot…
I sincerely hope this is not what you had in mind.
🙏
I totally agree with you. I Was also shocked to read that he thought Trump was fun and charismatic, while the world knows he is someone who would insult a handicapped person and sexually abuse women, etc… I assume Trump thought Vishen would be a good addition to his orchestra and Vishen thinks power is power… is that it? I am disappointed, but then I always had my reservations regarding MindValley and so even though considered many times, I never signed up for anything with them… I guess I could smell it
Well said Jack, thank you!
I so appreciate this analysis, it has heaped light on the conundrum of Trump. I like him less having read this. Most politicians and people in power are amoral I believe, single minded and power hungry. It’s difficult to reach the top of the pile if one is truly deeply compassionate, honest (with oneself and other people) and thoroughly decent. Understanding Trump better has made me fear him more. I appreciate this insight whilst realising it is not the intention of the article, each person will take something different from it, but no-one should feel unenlightened. Surely that is a good thing.
You stated it much better than I could have. I cancelled my subscription immediately upon reading this. The fawning over a man who is know to lie, cheat, sexually assault, etc is absolutely stunning. I do not trust Vishen or his company if he has such a stunning lack of integrity.
Lying doesn’t change reality. What utter bullshit.
Thanks for shedding light on these concepts and how they manifest in politics—and likely in some major corporations as well.
Your blog post clearly reflects your intention to promote a more objective perspective on any human being, even those whose decisions seem highly debatable.
Though you touched on it in your essay, I hadn’t fully grasped how figures like Trump often apply Machiavellian and Sun Tzu principles until reading your comment. So I appreciate this additional insight.
If I’m not mistaken, it seems they operate through a decision-making system largely driven by fear and survival instincts.
That said, if there’s one thing we may have to give Trump, it’s that his stamina is pretty insane—especially for his age.
Unfortunately, you did bring politics into Mindvalley and for that reason, I am unsubscribing. I have clients, colleagues, friends and family who are stressed and distressed by the current political climate. Every time I turn on the TV or log onto social media, divisive politics is all I see. I do not want to log into my email and see the same from a newsletter I subscribed to in the belief that it was about helping others to achieve positive growth.
I am from Europe and have a hard time to understand how these binary reactions (dem vs rep) can be possible. It seems that you have to belong to one side and one side only and the others are the bad guys. And as a consequence I take actions (like unsubscribe) if it doesn’t fit with my opinion. This behaviour is somehow weird. Can we live together respecting each other in a broad sense, can we go beyond black and white, can we be neutral and except certain points of view… Are we all impacted with social media style of reactions (quick, easy, responses hidden behind a screen and probably not having the same reactions if this contact would happen in real life)?
Trump drove us to this bipolar world. It wasn’t like this until he was running for president the first time, back in 2016. Maybe Vishen should have listed Trump’s 5th rule: Divide People. Another line I often hear Vishen use: Hurt people hurt people. Certainly applies to Trump.
I am only replying today because I didn’t realize this was an option. First, I tried customer service which does not provide any service at all.
Starting an offensive, insulting and vulgar commentary saying it is not your intention to be so, does not make it not so. If anything, the recognition that it is and, decision to publish, makes it worse. Would you ask us to consider the rise of Hitler?He certainly dominated the world. Trump is nothing short of evil as is Musk. Your worship of them says much of your value system. Keeping a program of the woman who spawned Musk is also disrespectful to everyone who has, is and will suffer at the whim of these two monsters. The few who have spoken out against this post indicates how many mindless minions there are in this community. It is scary. Your decision to admire rather than promote true leaders was an epic mistake in leadership. We should use it as an example of how someone can create an amazing enterprise and destroy it with one stupid action. Promoting the propaganda makes you as evil.
This newsletter has been upsetting me since I read it a few days ago and has shaken something at my core. I feel I need to get my voice heard so I can let it go and move on. This is my second comment as the first never appeared when I pressed submit.
Firstly, I am increasingly committed to not only hearing both sides of a story, but also trying to understand the other side. I try to put myself in their shoes and see the world as they see it, feel the fear, pain, excitement, love that they feel. It helps me understand the fierce protection people feel about the second amendment, for example.
So I read this newsletter with that mindset. How can I open my perspective and what can I learn?
I read to the end and this is what I learnt…
Power is the most important thing there is.
To get power these 4 strategies work.
That’s it. And yes you’re right. Because we have seen them work over and over and over, both in DT’s political career and before.
So I ask you this; if power is the most important thing there is… is that the underpinning principle of mindvalley? To gain power?
If it is, is mindvalley run in the 4 DT strategies? Because they work to get power?
There was a HUGE amount of nuance that was not explored in this newsletter. No moral or ethical lens was used to explore the 4 strategies. It seemed the only questions that was asked was ‘does it work to get power?’ No look into the cost to others, the environment, stability, happiness, kindness…
If power is key and mindvalley is part of that… if these strategies work and the founder of mindvalley acknowledges they work. Then I’m afraid mindvalley is no longer for me.
I am deeply saddened and disappointed Vishen, because I guess I assumed your moral compass just because of what I thought mindvalley was set up to achieve. I didn’t see any moral compass here and that shook me.
Please think about what you are actually here to achieve and what lessons you want to pass on and to what purpose, because I can’t believe this is it.
You say “I won’t bring politics into Mindvalley” well guess what you have posted that letter and by doing so you did bring politics into Mindvalley. Are you then being “inauthentic”
How do you know he is not the right man to lead America and you say he has “too many flaws of character” but instead is that what you see in yourself otherwise how would you know what those flaws are?
This reply really does sound like a massive “suck up”
There is no other way to put.
I still stand by lettered comments to acknowledging what you said and observed about Mr. Trump. It truly was brilliant then you had to write this response.
In phsychology if you tell someone he/she is good at something and then immediately tell that person how to be better at that thing than what you have done is erased the acknowledgement because the listener only hears the judgement and that is what you did as I see it.
Those that can only see hate in Mr. Trump then that hate has nothing to do with Mr. Trump but it is a hate that is inside most like a cancer and belongs to those who hate and want to blame Mr Trump for their hate when in fact he had nothing to do with their hate. But is that not what the world does and knows? What an interesting experience for me. thank you. Be well.
Isn’t actually hate itself being blind about hate when Trump is not recognized as hater but his “haters” are?
I would not use Trump’s tactics recommended by Coen. I believe in facts and integrity. Delay to the extent Trump does avoids consequences for your decisions and your actions. Lying is lying. I was taught to be honest. If you never face your failures you never grow as a wise person. However, I do believe what Norman Vincent Peale taught. My dad gave all six of his children Peale’s book.
I really appreciate this article and thread. For me. it’s pretty clear. Attacking others, lying, denying the truth, never accepting responsibility, claiming victory without evidence, and living on a diet on vengeance may be Trump’s keys to success but it’s a belief system rooted in being a horrific and awful human being. No thanks. I’ll keep on being successful by treating others the way I’d like to be treated. Relentless optimism is wonderful, I’ll give him that.
Thank you for sharing this Vishen.
Its a great piece of work and the whole breakup of the guiding principles of Trump is an insightful reflection of his life’s code. It gives such a great perspective of a belief system which shapes our reality. This blog is clearly not political and infact an eye opener to the nuances of character. While Trump is an extreme example but the scared lives we lead keeps us in a different vortex for ever.
If this can be applied even if in moderation (because the world is too petrified to acknowledge that DT is good), we just might end up becoming a little more confident and unapologetically forthcoming in showing up to the world. Instead of hiding in fear of judgement and move forward in the process. Its important to be accepting of the different shades of grey in between because there is a world of knowledge and a world of newer perspectives out there which we can open up to.
Hi Vishen, I believe that it is about how you use these rules, rather than whether these rules, should or shouldn’t be used! The question is whether individually one uses these rules as a ‘Trump,’ or as a ‘Gandhi,’ and as such one will act accordingly. Rule 1—Attack Relentlessly, when we are trying to change our lives, isn’t that what repeating a mantra is? Rule 2 -Deny Everything, don’t we often have to deny what is Infront of us to create a different reality? Rule 3-Always Claim Victory, don’t we do that in our visualizations? Rule 4-Stay Relentlessly Optimistic, isn’t necessary if we want change? Trump may use these rules coming from the base chakra, Gandhi would of used these rules coming from the heart chakra, that’s the only difference. I feel that it’s not the ‘tool’, but ‘how’ and ‘when’ it is used!
Bravo!
Brilliant!
The article was tone deaf to the reality of the moment in its high brow effort to rise above the sometimes devastating consequences of Trump’s second Presidency. It was almost laughable if not utterly disappointing. It was also unnecessary.
The thing is, Vishen, there is no such thing as “not being political.” These people–and now you by association–by presenting Tr*&p as a folksie, misunderstood, fun guy, have thrown your support behind someone who abuses every power he’s ever been granted, including the power of manifestation. He abuses everything: business partners, contractors, banks, non-profits, the rule of law, regulations, the judiciary, public trust, women, the Constitution, and he is abusing his power in the highest office in the world. He is not just an a-moral, repugnant human being to his core, he is extremely dangerous. And for you to attempt this neutral, pastoral examination of his impressive powers to abuse the creative powers of manifestation, the powers you have dedicated your career to, makes it all too easy for many of your readers (see comments below from confused fascists) to see that as an endorsement of all these abuses. You need to be more clear about where you stand if you care about your legacy. You are making the same dangerous error most news organizations are making. Instead of sticking your hand out the window and reporting whether its raining outside or not, you invite punditry to discuss the two different realities. Some people say its raining. Some people say its sunny. Who’s right? We don’t know, we’re just presenting both sides. Don’t do that. MAGA is a dangerous, bad-faith movement. Maybe you’re doing this for clicks. Fine, but your neutrality on the subject is like the mother in the family who stands idly by while her husband continues to abuse the children.
This is not a political statement, it’s a moral one. MAGA is in gross, repeated and ongoing breach of the Social Contract and the people who embrace MAGA, with the exception of due process (which they also abuse), no longer deserve to be beneficiaries of it. They no longer deserve the benefit of the doubt. They are Lucy with the football. Anyone who continues to try to negotiate in good faith with bad actors is enabling treachery (looking at you, Chuck Schumer). MAGA will lie, cheat and steal their way to the destruction of democratic society. They are destroying the rule of law. They may do it with a smile while sipping champagne and quipping about their golf handicap, but make no mistake, they have chosen their side of history.
I’m sure there were many cordial and pleasant Nazis, but that doesn’t mean they didn’t deserve to have their horrible influence ended, their powers curtailed at every turn, and their destructive role in society called out and held up as a cautionary tale for all of history, not offered as a perfectly normal alternative way to move through the world.
Here are my questions back to you: what do you stand for? What do you stand for if you don’t stand for truth, justice, the social contract, respect, decency, democracy, self-determination, the right to due process, the separation of powers? What good is the power of manifestation if it is used to destroy the lives of people it is supposed to serve. He is a public S E R V A N T and you cannot consider yourself a serious person if you believe for one second he has any interest in serving the public. Every day he sits in that office; every day his supporters rally behind his lies, every day they enable his treachery, is another day he is abusing the powers of manifestation. Are you cool with people abusing the powers you dedicate your life to? I’d be furious being in the presence of such people. Especially if they were being pleasant.
I agree wholeheartedly!
I’m quite dissapointed of read what I read.
To anyone who supports this (not only Vishen).
This is an ode to power for power’s sake, without regard for moral or ethical value or the means to achieve it.
Rewriting history (the one in his mind), denying responsibilities, and blaming others are typical traits of a narcissistic personality, and we all know it. In Trump’s case, he also uses power to threaten and silence anyone who opposes him.
This is not political, I repeat. This is something more. And the fact that it is praised in this way makes me see how lost you are. You mention delusion in your message, and incite others to delude themselves denying what they don´t like (reminds me of Don´t look up movie, it’s just about that for those who didn’t get it).
I could draw a parallel with Putin, who Attacks, Attacks, Attacks Ukraine and demonstrates his power by annihilating civilians in that country and also political adversaries in his own country. The question is, who here wants that power and for what? What do you expect to achieve with it? A better world? Do you really believe that this is the way?
This is not spiritual. This is not “light work.” This is not awakening or enlightenment. This is the opposite: materialism, falling into the same vicious circles without learning or understanding anything.
Trump denies what he doesn’t like. But you have to understand that this pain, this discomfort, is what makes us learn and grow. Denying it will only work against you.
Do you want a simple piece of advice for enlightenment? Ask yourselves: why? for what? and then what? continuously. For example, in this case, with that power you so desire. Let’s see if that wakes you up from the illusion you are asleep in.
Greets from Europe. 🙂
I want to thank you Vishen for writing about the psychology and the tactics of Donald Trump. This is an important topic. I believe awareness is everything. I believe that’s how we as individuals observe and respond, will move the dial collectively for the betterment of humanity. This all begins with understanding each other and seeing each other in the very best light.
I remember myself and my behavior during Donald Trump‘s first presidency. I spent so much time arguing and yelling at him at the TV screen. Sadly, some relationships with family members, and I’m sure friendships suffered due to my insistence that Mr. Trump was a horrible human being who was destroying not only our country, but also, our world.
Since then, I have taken a step back and have looked inward. I too see his followers as kind, compassionate, loving humans. When we talk about values and beliefs, we all desire the same for ourselves, our families, our communities, our country, and our world. This is what has made me more objective about Donald Trump and why the majority of our country chose to elect him for the second time.
We are simply divided. We are divided for so many reasons. The majority of the U.S. voting population, including me, are registered independents. Reading posts like yours is so refreshing. I can have conversations like this with the most of the people in my life. Many of these people are Trump supporters. I see the dial moving in the right direction. In the midst of chaos, I see hope.
In response to your question, would I use these tactics in my own personal life? I live in a first world country where I don’t have to fight for survival. I am a subscriber to your Mindvalley platform and I value personal growth as one of my most important goals. For me, this eliminates the need for tactics one, two, and three. Relentless optimism may hold value, as long as it doesn’t undermine the people around us. I work in the healthcare field, specifically, oncology. Relentless optimism, I believe can bring us to a path of better health outcomes.
Thank you once more for this brave post. I learned so much.
I also agree, Donald Trump is not good for our country.
Fascinating, insightful and terrifying. When does distortion of reality end? We are living through interesting times.
Wow – Vishen, you said a lot. Everyone here is commenting. Your article appears a bit contradictory, to the comments your made separately, later. So, You wouldn’t vote for Trump ….(well i DON’T care who you vote for, and wouldn’t be influenced by you because i like to consider influences from other informative areas… not a “mind and valley group,” (whom i have always liked, and still think you offer great things from your world and realm). Not the best idea to use your political stance to influence. The Republicans may have won, but really it was because the Democratics lost so badly, that’s why we have this outcome. Yes I agree with your points on your Machiavellian Trump, but Harris, i have watched many you tube, from across the ocean, and her “Word -salad” speeches made no sense, how could she converse with world-leaders, do what choice the USA have, not much. You say you vote for her, for the Democrates, God help Amercia. As i said the Democrates lost this vote, with its wokeness, illegal immigration, and “word-salad” Harris. Oz.
This is beyond disappointing for me. I followed your content for years, but somewhere in becoming wealthy through offering personal, spiritual, etc growth products, you just became another rich individual who is disconnected from the real world and reality. There is no breakdown or defense for Donald Trump. Even before he ever went into politics, he was a despicable human being who lied and cheated, didn’t pay and ruined his contractors, committed tax & financial fraud, was sued for sexual misconduct ( also best friends with Epstein!), cheated on his wive(s), and both him and his father were convicted for housing discrimination, and this doesn’t even cover it all. Now he is dismantling democratic institutions to take rights away from people, and cut funding that will affect our veterans, and most vulnerable in our society. If this is someone you think should be admired, excused or emulated through a fluff piece, I want nothing further to do with any of your content. I hope you enjoy your status and wealth, which allows you to associate with sh*t human beings who have no problem violating the law and human rights. You don’t have to turn to the media for this information, it is public record.
It seems, fallen angels still have a lot of magic, but they should be measured by their actions, and this one is malignant, full of hatred and revenge towards all those who did not shout back “I love you!” The strategy of power just to gain power is not a value in itself if you do not use it for the best of humanity. Just look at his face, listen to his speech, there is nothing loving and friendly anywhere!
Thank you so much for sharing such an honest and eye-opening story in your blog post. It’s refreshing to hear someone bravely step forward and admit how they’ve come to see the world for what it truly is—a place where so many blindly follow a single media narrative without digging into the facts themselves. Your journey of awakening is inspiring, and it’s a powerful reminder of how critical it is to question, explore, and think independently.
The comments section, sadly, proves your point all too well. The closed-mindedness and unwillingness to even consider a perspective outside their own bubble show just how much teaching and healing still needs to happen in our society. It’s disheartening to see verbal attacks—and sometimes even justifications for physical ones—excused because the media or certain politicians endorse it and deem it acceptable. You’re absolutely right that no society or individual should tolerate this kind of behavior. Your words shine a light on a truth that needs to be heard, and I’m grateful for your courage in speaking up. Keep it up—voices like yours are so needed right now!
I almost unsubscribed due to this email. I know you framed it as a factual account/analysis, neither for or against , but no matter how you spin it, it is hate, lies, and EVERYTHING bad about humanity.
Why would you even want to put it out there as food for thought.
Do you raise your children on these morals/choices/actions? Do you want your children to associate with others with these morals/choices/actions? Do you want your children to adopt these morals/choices/actions in their lives?
I certainly DONT!!!
It felt very clear towards the end that you are sympathetic to DT & Maga. This truly disturbed me…. It’s the equivalent of excusing a narcissist because he said ‘thank you’ at a dinner party, and all his enablers doing the same.
And isn’t that exactly what narcissists do = present their shiny warped image of themselves to the world and make you think you are mad – first hand experience living with one for 20 years so you would understand why I am feeling extremely triggered. The damage these people do…
There is a big difference between our shadows and evil.
I was drawn to Mindvalley due to its holistic spiritual foundation. Now I think it is just a business strategy that does not represent who you are at all. Honestly, if I hadn’t enjoyed my online quests as much as I do, which are the opposite of what DT & his enablers represent, it was be a very easy see you later from me. I will reassess my membership next year.
I am both disgusted and so deeply disappointed, and saddened to receive this email from you.
Promoting toxic traits, individuals and movements goes against everything I thought mindvalley was all about.
Let’s put our energy into making this world a better place, including for our children and future generations.
Dear Vishen,
the question at hand is not whether these tactics are “effective” or not. It is if whether they are ethical, morally just and that of a good role model one should aspire to. I think not. My answer is a no.
Food for thought. Very well written. I understand him much more clearly now.
Would be interesting to hear your thoughts on the Mockingbird Media and how that influence could shape people’s opinions in to absolute denial of facts to the point of encouraging violence and hate.
Thank you for your incite. Those with open minds understand where you are coming from.
Peace!
I have never loved him, nor hated him, but I have found him to be extremely confusing. I wonder if his intentions in the long run are evil or good. Is he motivated by self love or love for his country? Is he more interested in personal power or American power? Does he have any care or respect for the masses of people on our struggling planet? Can he make things better or does that not enter into the equation in his mind? I so appreciate this analysis, it has heaped light on the conundrum of Trump. I like him even less having read this. Most politicians and people in power are amoral I believe, single minded and power hungry. It’s difficult to reach the top of the pile if one is truly deeply compassionate, honest (with oneself and other people) and thoroughly decent. Understanding Trump better has made me fear him more. I appreciate this insight whilst realising it is not the intention of the article, each person will take something different from it, but no-one should feel unenlightened. Surely that is a good thing.
Wow! Too many things to talk about from the post and people’s comments and too little space to do it.
I can simply say:
-Vishen had said too many times (even live, I saw it myself) how despicable Trump used to be according to him. However, he has become part of Trump’s bended reality placing aside all evident flaws, wrongdoings and mistakes Trump had made (and will continue to) for the sake of how good he is at “faking it, till making it”.
-Vishen wanted us, nevertheless, to see how powerful these rules can be, their pros and cons. But forgot to give credit to all the massive amount of pain, frustration, disappointment, suffering and division Trump has brought into US (and even the world) with his sayings, laws, businesses, deals, etc.
-I don’t like Trump. But I understand the figure, the brand, why people made him believe and why some even voted for him. I don’t agree, but that’s what democracy is all about.
I think of him as “the anger-blinded man holding a gun” in the room. If you’re friends with the angry man, you can cheer him up, and even have fun as you see him mope and sulk around; if you aren’t his friend, you will be stressed, worried, anxious and willing to be as far as possible. In any case, an “anger damaged” person shouldn’t have the responsibility of carrying a gun (or holding an important office like the White House) while his mind is not calm or clear on when to pull the trigger (or execute orders: bearing a gun makes the bearer feel powerful, this is why I use the analogy).
He is a great businessman, no doubt. Businesses sometimes take no-remorse actions to destroy business enemies and get to the top. But politics isn’t business. Business is money, politics is people.
-But people are tired of politics not yielding positive enough results, so I understand Trump as a symptom of social annoyance. I do believe he is a great lesson for humanity just as many villains have been. There will be suffering, there will be some wins (for a few, unfortunately), moderate progress (again, not even for all Americans, but for some), and much damage to the world, even losses, even death. But this is the natural course of life. I don’t think he is the solution, I think he is a problem, but one that will inspire others to seek better, long lasting solutions.
-I understand sensitive people who are willing to even give up on their subscription. You can simply click out while others like me who can’t currently afford it and would be glad to enjoy the subscription. You can simply turn your eyes away and pretend there is no chaos.
I don’t want you to look out the window, see the tornado and leave home to follow the destruction path. But you can’t simply say “I turn on the news and see the tornadoes. I want to forget about them!” If there’s a tornado, you should know as much, for you don’t whether it will sooner or later hit you (or your beloved ones) on the head.
Be open. We cannot be non-political when politics is the life we live in! I hate politics, but I live with people! We share a country, communities, morals, beliefs, etc. You don’t need to know it all, but merely understand what’s going on, understand both parties and choose one without fighting the other. Otherwise you become part of the manipulation even if you pretend or seek not to know anything at all.
-Yeah, Vishen might not have said it at the right time, in the right way or with the right purpose. But what’s “right” after all?
Trump is not the role-model, exemplary human being. He frankly irritates me as he speaks, I only hear his bladder speaking a few good ideas and hell of a lot of awful ones. 😅 But hey? Are you afraid? 🤔 Come on! He is the hurricane which will bring destruction, but it will breed creation.
Are you a better human being by saying “you, Vishen, disappointed me!”, or by giving up on your subscription? (Give it to me 😅) Are you helping your growth by ignoring what’s going on at the top of leadership? Even if you live in the middle of nowhere in a Pacific ocean island, do you really think you should not care, you should not know? Should you dismiss the commentary of people who can think differently from the way you do? Do you only want to hear what you think is “right”, “positive”, “unbiased”, “logical”, etc? What kind of growth is that? Even shit makes flowers bloom, feeds them and shapes beautiful landscapes.
-Prettying sure he won’t even read this 🥴😅 just as my other mails he ignored too 😪🤪, but I do want to thank him for taking on this topic. Again, I think it could have been discussed in a more, say, convenient way. But it is an important topic to discuss, come on! I don’t say Vishen is right or wrong. I say I not wrong for simply not dismissing the elephant in the room.
-For you, dear reader, and with all due respect: do you think Vishen is right? Wrong? What about me? Well, guess what. It doesn’t matter at all, not to him, not to me, not to anyone. What really matters is… What will you do with this information? Whatever you do with this and from here one will speak of you whether you’re actually “right” or “wrong”. How will you help others?
-Information is also power. Exchanging visions empowers people. Union is not thinking alike. Different thinking enriches experiences. We all make a Human Citizenry, we all can make a wonderful world, together.
Wow! Talk about delusional! You wrote as if you thought you weren’t being biased when your very words “he creates new truth” indicates a complete bias towards him. Your whole piece sounds like hero worship. I’m glad that you met MAGA people who were willing to politely discuss things, but I haven’t. They just talk over me as loudly as possible and repeat his “new truths” as facts. You have swallowed the Kool-aid.
Ah…my instincts to quit MindValley were correct. I’m sure the Nazis were very personable people as well. Hitler loves dogs, Vishen. Their ACTIONS speak and this administration is EVIL. How dare you try and attentuate that evil. I am NEVER coming back to your platform.
Hi Vishen,
Saying 18 000 people attended when he knew that 8000 actually came is not “Creating a new truth”
It’s called lying.
Claiming victory when you did not actually win is not rewriting history – its called delusion, and once again lying. Or as Trump likes to say “Fake news”
Attack relentlessly – well ok that may have some merit as long as you are not lying or being delusional or both.
Being relentlessly optimistic – has merit but sounds exhausting. There is also a case for facing worst case scenarios and preparing for things not working out perfectly all the time.
I don’t think the question is Would I or anyone else use these tactics, it is “Should we”
If you have to lie and manipulate, crush others and inflate your own victories to get where you want to go, are you someone who deserves to be followed? Is that Vishen how you would choose to behave to get what you wanted, or achieve your dreams?
Very courageous of you to write. I enjoy your analyzing and observing perspective. Very interesting and important to be nonjudgmental interested in Trumph and his doings.
All the media driven hate and criticism is itself toxic and brings no good to the humanity, only pushing the crowd closer to being worse than the worst.
Thank you!
NO!!!!!!!!!!! I would not use those rules. Using those rules is BAD KARMA
Greetings Vishen,
That was an interesting observation and analysis of Trump.
What you call Trump’s psychological shield and relentless optimism could also be aptly described as Narcissistic don’t you think?
The extreme skewed reality that he creates for himself appears to me to be a form of mental illness-in my view.
Where is the balance? Where is the compassion? His relentless extreme behavior will definitely go down in history. I can only hope that what he is modeling does not become a standard for future politicians.
Just observing you observing. Lindy