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.
527 Responses
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
Vishen, your recent blog post regarding your experience at Mar-a-Lago and your analysis of Donald Trump’s perceived ‘rules’ has understandably generated significant controversy. While your stated intention was to explore these principles from a perspective of personal growth and influence, the context in which they are presented is deeply problematic for many.
Several concerns arise:
Normalization of Harmful Tactics and their Real-World Consequences:
The ‘rules’ you outlined—”attack, attack, attack,” “admit nothing, deny everything,” “always claim victory”—have been demonstrably used to spread misinformation, undermine democratic institutions, and incite division.
These tactics have contributed to a climate where marginalized groups, including people of color, women, and LGBTQ+ individuals, feel increasingly threatened.
It’s not just about abstract tactics; these strategies have real-world consequences. For example, the denial of basic human rights at detention facilities has led to documented cases of deaths due to lack of water, food, and medical attention.
The rise of concentration camp like conditions in facilities such as those reported in areas such as within the US southern border, or in El Salvador, or Cuba, illustrates the dark side of these tactics.
It is vital to acknowledge, that marginalized groups have been the target of increased hate crimes, and discrimination.
The Setting and its Implications:
Mar-a-Lago is not a neutral space. It is a symbol of power and privilege, and it is associated with a political movement that many perceive as hostile to their fundamental rights.
Your presence there, and your subsequent description of the event, can be interpreted as tacit approval of this movement and its ideology.
The Impact on Marginalized Communities:
Many individuals, especially those from marginalized communities, are experiencing heightened anxiety and fear due to the current political climate.
Your blog post, regardless of your intent, can be seen as insensitive to these concerns and as a dismissal of their lived experiences.
The danger of misinformation:
The blog post mentions that people at the dinner where sharing misinformation, and conspiracy theories. It is dangerous to give a platform to misinformation.
It is important to remember, that there are statistics that show the rise of hate crimes, and the effects that the political climate has on marginalized groups.
Hate Crimes:
According to the FBI’s Hate Crime Statistics, hate crimes targeting specific groups have shown fluctuations in recent years. For example, in 2020, the FBI reported 7,759 hate crime incidents. It’s crucial to consult the most recent FBI data for updated figures.
The Department of Justice, also releases reports on hate crimes.
Discrimination:
Organizations like the NAACP, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), and the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) provide data and reports on discrimination against racial, religious, and LGBTQ+ groups.
These organizations document instances of discrimination in housing, employment, and other areas.
Impact on Mental Health:
Studies have shown that exposure to discrimination and hate speech can have significant negative impacts on the mental health of marginalized individuals.
Organizations like the American Psychological Association (APA) provide resources and research on this topic.
By ignoring or minimizing these very real consequences, a blog post that only talks about the “rules” and “mindset” is viewed as dangerously out of touch. It gives the impression that those who push those damaging principals can be studied, without moral consequence. To speak of the principals, is to ignore the people that are dying because of those very principals.
While you may have intended to foster open-mindedness, it is crucial to recognize the potential harm in presenting these ideas without a clear and unequivocal condemnation of their destructive applications. It is vital to create a space that is inclusive and safe for everyone, especially those who are most vulnerable
Vishen, your recent blog post regarding your experience at Mar-a-Lago and your analysis of Donald Trump’s perceived ‘rules’ has understandably generated significant controversy. While your stated intention was to explore these principles from a perspective of personal growth and influence, the context in which they are presented is deeply problematic for many.
Several concerns arise:
Normalization of Harmful Tactics and their Real-World Consequences:
The ‘rules’ you outlined—”attack, attack, attack,” “admit nothing, deny everything,” “always claim victory”—have been demonstrably used to spread misinformation, undermine democratic institutions, and incite division.
These tactics have contributed to a climate where marginalized groups, including people of color, women, and LGBTQ+ individuals, feel increasingly threatened.
It’s not just about abstract tactics; these strategies have real-world consequences. For example, the denial of basic human rights at detention facilities has led to documented cases of deaths due to lack of water, food, and medical attention.
The rise of concentration camp like conditions in facilities such as those reported in areas such as within the US southern border, or in El Salvador, or Cuba, illustrates the dark side of these tactics.
It is vital to acknowledge, that marginalized groups have been the target of increased hate crimes, and discrimination.
The Setting and its Implications:
Mar-a-Lago is not a neutral space. It is a symbol of power and privilege, and it is associated with a political movement that many perceive as hostile to their fundamental rights.
Your presence there, and your subsequent description of the event, can be interpreted as tacit approval of this movement and its ideology.
The Impact on Marginalized Communities:
Many individuals, especially those from marginalized communities, are experiencing heightened anxiety and fear due to the current political climate.
Your blog post, regardless of your intent, can be seen as insensitive to these concerns and as a dismissal of their lived experiences.
The danger of misinformation:
The blog post mentions that people at the dinner where sharing misinformation, and conspiracy theories. It is dangerous to give a platform to misinformation.
It is important to remember, that there are statistics that show the rise of hate crimes, and the effects that the political climate has on marginalized groups.
Hate Crimes:
According to the FBI’s Hate Crime Statistics, hate crimes targeting specific groups have shown fluctuations in recent years. For example, in 2020, the FBI reported 7,759 hate crime incidents. It’s crucial to consult the most recent FBI data for updated figures.
The Department of Justice, also releases reports on hate crimes.
Discrimination:
Organizations like the NAACP, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), and the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) provide data and reports on discrimination against racial, religious, and LGBTQ+ groups.
These organizations document instances of discrimination in housing, employment, and other areas.
Impact on Mental Health:
Studies have shown that exposure to discrimination and hate speech can have significant negative impacts on the mental health of marginalized individuals.
Organizations like the American Psychological Association (APA) provide resources and research on this topic.
By ignoring or minimizing these very real consequences, a blog post that only talks about the “rules” and “mindset” is viewed as dangerously out of touch. It gives the impression that those who push those damaging principals can be studied, without moral consequence. To speak of the principals, is to ignore the people that are dying because of those very principals.
While you may have intended to foster open-mindedness, it is crucial to recognize the potential harm in presenting these ideas without a clear and unequivocal condemnation of their destructive applications. It is vital to create a space that is inclusive and safe for everyone, especially those who are most vulnerable.
Perhaps you can do an in-depth exploration of Hitler’s attributes and rise to power and explain how we can be objective observers and not be judgmental. That would be as relevant to me as this piece.
Dear Vishen,
I appreciate your work in personal transformation, but I believe Positive Thinking, as popularized by Norman Vincent Peale, has unintended consequences. While empowering on an individual level, it can foster denial of systemic issues, replacing strategy with wishful thinking. This mindset, deeply ingrained in American culture and leadership (e.g., Trump), has made the U.S. vulnerable to disinformation, governance failures, and geopolitical manipulation.
Meanwhile, Russia and China operate through realism, long-term planning, and psychological warfare. They exploit the West’s tendency to dismiss inconvenient truths, using propaganda to destabilize democracies. The current erosion of the rule of law, scientific integrity, and the U.S. political and education systems follows a clear Russian-Chinese agenda—one designed to weaken critical thinking, fracture institutions, and render the U.S. incapable of strategic resistance. When belief overrides analysis, it becomes a tool of control, not empowerment.
Mindset matters, but true transformation requires both vision and hard reality. Optimism without strategy leads to collapse. If we want to evolve, we must ask: Are we creating a better reality—or ignoring the one we’re in? Looking forward to your thoughts on bridging empowerment with strategic intelligence.
Dear Vishen,
I appreciate your work in exploring consciousness, personal growth, and transformational thinking. Your approach has empowered many to rethink their reality and potential. However, I’d like to share a critical perspective on how certain philosophies—especially those rooted in Positive Thinking as popularized by Norman Vincent Peale—have not only shaped individual mindsets but also contributed to systemic vulnerabilities, particularly in the United States.
As you know, Peale’s philosophy teaches that one’s mindset creates reality and that negativity is an obstacle to success. This idea, while empowering on a personal level, has also influenced political and social structures in ways that make societies blind to systemic threats. When belief overrides analysis, when optimism replaces strategic thinking, and when uncomfortable truths are dismissed as “limiting beliefs,” the result is not empowerment—it’s vulnerability.
In the U.S., Peale’s ideology profoundly influenced figures like Donald Trump, who was a lifelong follower. His administration often operated on the assumption that problems could be willed away, that expertise was overrated, and that faith in one’s own success was more important than facts or strategy. This type of thinking—widespread in American culture—has led to systemic failures in governance, science, and foreign policy.
Why does this matter geopolitically?
While the U.S. embraces a culture of manifestation and positive illusions, geopolitical rivals like Russia and China operate in the realm of strategy, realism, and system-based analysis. Their long-term planning is rooted in understanding reality as it is, not as they wish it to be.
This contrast has profound consequences. While Russia and China use disinformation and weaponized narratives to weaken the West, Americans—conditioned by “Positive Thinking” to reject bad news—fall directly into these traps. Rather than confronting challenges, many choose to deny them, reframe them, or assume that solutions will magically appear.
Russia & China’s Approach vs US approach:
Systemic, long-term planning vs Short-term emotional decision-making
Strategic analysis of threats vs Dismissal of inconvenient realities
Psychological operations & disinformation
vs High susceptibility to propaganda
Science as a national security asset vs Science politicized and distrusted
I believe in the power of mindset, but it must be balanced with rational inquiry, deep strategic thinking, and systemic awareness. True transformation—whether personal or societal—requires both inner mastery and an unflinching engagement with reality. Manifestation without analysis leads to delusion. Optimism without structure leads to collapse.
If we are to evolve as a civilization, we must recognize when belief becomes a tool of control rather than liberation. We must ask: Are we designing a better reality, or are we being conditioned to ignore the one we’re in?
I’d love to hear your thoughts on how we can bridge personal empowerment with strategic intelligence—so that our reality is not just imagined, but also fortified against those who seek to manipulate it.
Best,
Mark K
Dear Vishen,
I appreciate your work in exploring consciousness, personal growth, and transformational thinking. Your approach has empowered many to rethink their reality and potential. However, I’d like to share a critical perspective on how certain philosophies—especially those rooted in Positive Thinking as popularized by Norman Vincent Peale—have not only shaped individual mindsets but also contributed to systemic vulnerabilities, particularly in the United States.
As you know, Peale’s philosophy teaches that one’s mindset creates reality and that negativity is an obstacle to success. This idea, while empowering on a personal level, has also influenced political and social structures in ways that make societies blind to systemic threats. When belief overrides analysis, when optimism replaces strategic thinking, and when uncomfortable truths are dismissed as “limiting beliefs,” the result is not empowerment—it’s vulnerability.
In the U.S., Peale’s ideology profoundly influenced figures like Donald Trump, who was a lifelong follower. His administration often operated on the assumption that problems could be willed away, that expertise was overrated, and that faith in one’s own success was more important than facts or strategy. This type of thinking—widespread in American culture—has led to systemic failures in governance, science, and foreign policy.
Why does this matter geopolitically?
While the U.S. embraces a culture of manifestation and positive illusions, geopolitical rivals like Russia and China operate in the realm of strategy, realism, and system-based analysis. Their long-term planning is rooted in understanding reality as it is, not as they wish it to be.
This contrast has profound consequences. While Russia and China use disinformation and weaponized narratives to weaken the West, Americans—conditioned by “Positive Thinking” to reject bad news—fall directly into these traps. Rather than confronting challenges, many choose to deny them, reframe them, or assume that solutions will magically appear.
Russia & China’s Approach vs US approach:
Systemic, long-term planning vs Short-term emotional decision-making
Strategic analysis of threats vs Dismissal of inconvenient realities
Psychological operations & disinformation
vs High susceptibility to propaganda
Science as a national security asset vs Science politicized and distrusted
I believe in the power of mindset, but it must be balanced with rational inquiry, deep strategic thinking, and systemic awareness. True transformation—whether personal or societal—requires both inner mastery and an unflinching engagement with reality. Manifestation without analysis leads to delusion. Optimism without structure leads to collapse.
If we are to evolve as a civilization, we must recognize when belief becomes a tool of control rather than liberation. We must ask: Are we designing a better reality, or are we being conditioned to ignore the one we’re in?
I’d love to hear your thoughts on how we can bridge personal empowerment with strategic intelligence—so that our reality is not just imagined, but also fortified against those who seek to manipulate it.
Best,
Mark K
Vishen, your lens on Trump’s legacy mirrors mine—he’s a tragic, heinous figure history will unravel. I can’t forgive how his election fraud lies bred hate and division, spilling into January 6th chaos. Yet our greatest innovators coped with his mess, turning his deregulation bent into opportunity. Why? I track them closer than most. Voices like Brian Armstrong and Ben Horowitz on X and YouTube reveal a fight for hope—hope Biden’s crew nearly crushed, excluding Elon from their EV summit and choking blockchain with Chokepoint 2.0, all while GOP gridlock stalled progress. Few notice this stifling. Governments grapple with exponential change, but our innovators see it: leadership demands tech preeminence. Lose that edge, and breakthroughs slip to rivals—we don’t just stall; we surrender the future.
I was shocked by your newsletter and so disappointed in you. You used denying actual support for him as a thin excuse to go to his house, hang out with his followers, and be impressed to be in his company with the glamour of his stolen wealth. (“my friends are doing it too” is not an excuse an evolved adult would use) Sounds like you “drank the koolaid” if you can call his minions “warm” people. Of course they were polite, did you expect they would hiss and spit at a party? These “warm people” are destroying us, causing people to die. Hope you had a great time at the party ! But, “when you lay down with dogs, you get up with fleas.” After being in their group, you chose to use his name to stir up your own base. I’ll never look at your videos again without wondering if you’re using his tactics on any level, or simply using his name for clickbait. Either way, I’m really sorry you tainted Mindvalley, and your image, with this.
I just wonder, besides the non political comment of Vishi, still think it is necessary to ‘explain’ Trumps mind: again the only thing to undertand is that the state of mind of Trump is that of an seriously mental ill person: a narcissist malicious Sociopath of the finest sort. He is not just not neurotic and the only thing you support with your explanation
and ‘different’ look behind the scene, just supports Trumps grandiosity getting more and more extreme. Vishi wiht al your mind-healers don’t you realise that to normalize Trump you make things worse, not only for this felon, as result of his mentally sick state of mind you’re not ‘helping’ Trump and certainly not the world’s state of mind. Please think and consider for what you and your company stand for, that can’t be the normalising or Trump’s state of mind, if you don’t want that his state of mind of a mentally ill is infecting more then already half of Americans are suffering from
Trump didn’t change, didn’t grow, didn’t develop; he is just a criminal, a malicious artistic sociopath. In that sense, he is authentic, has charisma, and is quite simple to read. His mental illness, fortified by his dementia, makes his behavior even more outrageous; maybe the form or sort of eruptions are too foreseeable, but certainly, the course of his mentally ill state of mind is quite predictable: he gets more and more nuts and (self)destructive.
From a nonpersonal distance, ‘useful’ as this area is coming to its (natural) end; everything comes and goes and is therefore unavoidable. He is infecting millions of people with his sick mind (as psychiatrists already predicted and warned for in 2016, they all got fired and defunded). His behavior is unjustifiedly normalized, and you want to promote and advertise this mentally ill person as an example of extraordinary Personal Growth. His mind set is that of a maiciousl sociopath. The only thing which is growing is his dementia.
What’s the matter with you? Do you all get infected as well?
I just listened to an interview with Charlie Rose and Michael Wollf. Michael Wollf did a quite accurate description of Trump’s state of mind and character. He wrote a chronicle of this creature, most interestingly his latest book, ‘All or Nothing’. You should READ it and then consider whether it is a good idea to propagate Trump’s ways as an enrichment of being.
Thanks
Vishen, you seem to approach the analysis of the personality of Trump as some “fascinating” theoretical arm chair exercise or thought experiment which might be easy to do sitting in your fancy hotel room in Dubai running an aspiring personal growth platform. This attitude unfortunately puts you out of touch with reality.
This political leader, along with his billionaire buddies both domestic and overseas, is making consequential decisions with real-life impacts on people all around the world for decades to come. What you seem to be completely oblivious to is that the views you are putting out there are influencing the people following your newsletter, current and future – and by avoiding to take a moral stance on whether the ends justify the means you are absolutely endorsing Trump’s behaviours which are narcissistic, amoral, and dangerous to humanity. Are you even aware that you are promoting narcissism as a path to success? This person stands for everything I assumed Mindvalley was diametrically opposed to. The world needs to be made aware of the dangers of narcissism not being encouraged to adopt it.
In light of your lack of insight & awareness around your own position in life and in this community with potentially harmful effects, I cannot continue my subscription unfortunately.
Regardless of how this article is framed by Vishen – as taking an ‘exploratory perspective on Trump’ – it still reads as an encouragement and promotion of adopting Trump’s “traits for success” which is not only questionable but incredibly dangerous. Anyone with a basic grasp of narcissism can recognise that what Vishen touts as “highly effective strategies for success” are nothing more than the hallmarks of a narcissistic personality disorder – self-aggrandisement, gas lighting & distortion of reality, attacking and putting down others to elevate his own fragile ego, a complete absence of taking any self-responsibility, charismatic manipulation during the courtship phase to bring you into their web of coercive control to then use/control you for their agenda.
Vishen may have fallen victim to the narcissist’s common talent of “making him feel special and loved” when he attended his event at Mar-A-Lago. And it is frankly shocking to see him promote narcissistic behaviours as a path to success.
I understood that Vishen’s whole angle was about personal growth on the basis of self awareness and compassion and bringing collective good to the world. Narcissism may bring about success, however only if it is very narrowly defined as “personal success” as opposed to “collective success” and only if it is defined as “financial success” as opposed to “joy and authentic loving relationships”.
I am supremely disappointed and lost for words as to this article by someone in the “personal growth” field – it lacks any balanced perspective as to the costs of narcissism to one’s self and those affected by it. No matter how “fascinating” Vishen may find it, given the size of his readership and potential influence, he has a responsibility for what views he puts out there that will influence people. I really don’t know how he can come back from this. My view of him has changed.