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
Vishen, you just proved something I read a few months ago: “If you want to upset Conservatives, tell them a lie. If you want to upset Liberals, tell them the truth!” It does not surprise me that some individuals who are registered in a platform that is all about personal growth and becoming a better person, are incapable of respecting an opinion contrary to their beliefs. It does not surprise me that they do not care about the truth. Some people just believe what they want to believe, and if you believe anything different, you must be cancelled and disrespected. I don’t agree with everything you said, but I think it was a well thought out analysis worth reading. Above all, your opinion should not be a reason to change how we view your mission to help others grow, something you have proven beyond any reasonable doubt. I don’t know how you will take the rejection shown by many on their comments and their decision to leave the platform, but I will tell you how I see it. If they don’t know how to deal with an opinion different than their own, they are wasting their time in the platform. Let them go. If they do not want to grow beyond their limited beliefs, we don’t need them. Do not apologize! First, there is no reason for it. Second, they will only use it against you. Jim Rohn said, “You are the average of the five people you hang around the most.” I want to hang around people with open minds that will help me grow because, despite being in my senior years, I know I have a lot to learn and grow, and that is a never-ending endeavor. That is why I am on this platform. Thanks for your brave opinion, and let’s keep growing and moving forward!
I read all 233 comments on this article. It looks like the time has come for a purge in the Mindvalley community. Thanks to this article, all the haters will eliminate themselves.
I have been an immigrant in the US for 20 years and have done everything necessary to become a citizen. I’m not involved in politics—I simply observe from a distance. It’s astonishing to see that those who consider themselves democrats, who claim to embody empathy, understanding, and tolerance for differences, are often the ones displaying the most hatred and intolerance when someone disagrees with their views.
I notice that these individuals actually have weak personal boundaries and a lot of unresolved negative issues hidden in their shadow. They try to mask it with love, but when push comes to shove, they can’t contain their shadow, and it spills out.
People with extra-strong boundaries, like Trump, serve as convenient projection objects—someone onto whom all inner negativity can be dumped, allowing the person doing the projecting to avoid taking responsibility for it. Luckily, Trump is completely unaffected, like water sliding off Teflon.
The most interesting part? The article doesn’t mention politics at all—it simply analyzes the strategy behind a particular action and considers all aspects of the picture, not only the filtered ones.
Personally, I believe that the principles outlined here can only be applied when one has reached a certain state of consciousness. People who are still caught in internal struggles and conflict, who need constant validation, will end up hurting themselves and others if they try to apply these principles. That’s why it’s better for them not to use them and instead eliminate themselves from this space.
When a person is well-integrated, these words take on a completely different meaning. They are no longer seen through the lens of victim and perpetrator, but rather as part of an unshakable path. When someone walks that unshakable path and is also fully integrated within, they won’t be able to harm others along the way—simply because it goes against the very nature of true intelligence. And true intelligence always considers the whole system.
So those who are still in the process of healing their rejected parts would be better off not attempting this, as it will likely overwhelm and re-traumatize them.
Vishen, great job. One of the hallmarks of true spiritual development is the ability to see all aspects of our world from a neutral perspective, where nothing is either glorified or rejected.
Those who are outraged and consider themselves spiritual, they talk about oneness, but when it comes down to it, their sense of oneness only extends to those who think and feel the same way they do—everyone else is excluded. That is the spirituality of a child in kindergarten, still unable to cope with differences.
This article turned out to be a great test.
Many people talk here about narcissism and how much they despise it. But the most interesting thing? One of the key traits of a narcissist is that the moment you say something they don’t like, no matter how much good you’ve done for them, they immediately flip to the other side and turn to hatred.
And here it is, happening in real time. Just another projection and the truth being revealed.
People write that they’ve admired you for years, followed you, taken courses on Mindvalley. And yet, one article was enough to trigger a complete flip—suddenly, all the other content on Mindvalley is dismissed, all the coaches and teachers, the courses, the meditations, everything.
Well, Vishen, judging by these comments, it looks like it’s time for you to apply point 3: “Always claim victory.” 😀
As for the first two points, I see it this way:
💡 “Attack, attack”. Depending on a person’s level of awareness, they will interpret it differently.
• Those who still live in the victim-perpetrator paradigm will see an “attack” as violence.
• Those who are integrated will see an “attack” as: “When someone tries to harm or take advantage of you, set a boundary. When you face difficulties, stand your ground.”
💡 Point 2: “Admit nothing, deny everything”—two possible interpretations:
• The first group will read it as: “Never admit guilt, reject the truth.”
• The second group will understand it as: “Don’t take sides, stay in zero point neutrality.”
Let the big shift begin…
Fully agree with every point. I am also an immigrant, a legal immigrant who has become in due time, a citizen. The virtues and values of the society I have yearned to become a part of, seem to be the last on the self-righteous’ agenda – the intolerance and hatred prevailing. If you are indeed driven by this, perhaps Mindvalley really isn’t right for you.
Vishen, I understand that you want people to be objective about this, but it’s just not possible. I’m sure Hitler was a very charismatic person and used similar tactics to influence others into believing that killing millions of people, Jews, homosexuals, and disabled people, was a good idea. These tactics work perfectly when your goal is to convince others that such atrocities are warranted.
I concur with your non-binary view of the world; I’ve been practicing it from a while ago. When you take judgement out, you free yourself. Things are neither good nor bad, they are just what they are. I learned instead to see things to be either productive or counterproductive towards specific purposes.
The problem is not Trump, the problem is the overwhelming amount of stupid people there is in the world who eat his crap. The only reason his Hitlerian tactics work, is because there is a fucked-up world who believes him.
I’d love to see a future newsletter from you titled “Why most people are stupid?”
And to your question: fuck no! My integrity will always be over any potential results. If it’ll take multiple reincarnations for me to live in a world where decency, truth and intelligence are widely supported, instead of mediocrity and deceit, then so be it.
Vishen, you just did bring politics into MindValley. So disappointed that you are validating the incredible harm that Trump is doing and his morality-free power grab- visible even from Australia. I really can’t stay on Mindvalley after this.
I was starting to follow this website, but after reading this I changed my mind. Trump is the devil. I am watching myself and my sister worry about our social security and medicare, which I just started. I am someone who could be stopped just for “looking like I could be undocumented,” even though I am an American citizen, born in Portland, Oregon. This man has wreaked havoc on our country in just a few weeks. I am sorry, but I will have to disassociate with an organization who is praising this man for what? Being evil? That is not a trait to be admired.
Wrong is wrong. Dictators and Cult leaders have charisma too.
Mob mentality is not the way to teach. I never expected that from you. 😞
Thank you for the insight and brilliant analysis! I value your perspective and willingness to show both sides of a coin we all think we know.
To answer your question- yes 🙌 I would employ the Optimism rule – I’ve been doing it for years and it has helped me move some stubborn mountains! But the “Attack” – no – not my style.
This was so enlightening and it helped me better understand how and why Trump has been doing what he’s been doing.
I’m not sure why so many commenters are negative about this article – I didn’t find it political at all. I value your opinion so very much. I found it refreshing.
It’s sad how everything is so polarized these days. I hope we can change that.
There is no way you can not call this a political piece in today’s political climate. The fact that you would use such a passive-aggressive “analysis” really surprised me. Honestly, I’m appalled. This entire piece is written with a tone of admiration for the guy. I did not see it as balanced at its core premise. And just to answer the question that I now wonder how you would answer having read this drivel, absolutely no, I would never use those tactics. They lack integrity, and merely writing a piece to present them with some semblance that he is a “brand” or that he is “successful” blows my mind… He is nothing but a fraud that has caused and is causing great harm. I read a great many of the comments, and I have to agree that you must have drunk the Kool-Aid. Who are you, and what have you done with Vishen? Time for a little soul-searching, my friend.
In a way, it feels like you are forgetting that one interaction doesn’t rewrite the larger story of who Trump is. It’s easy to fall for all the charisma, but the question is: how much weight should we give one personal encounter when it contradicts the broader evidence of someone’s behavior? While it’s understandable to be affected by someone’s personal warmth, it does seem like there’s a bit of a blind spot here, maybe even letting that charm obscure a more troubling truth about Trump’s behavior and impact on politics.
It’s natural to be taken in by someone’s charm, but it feels like you’re downplaying how consistent Trump’s more hostile, aggressive tendencies have been over the years. And while you might find him fun to be around in that one instance, it doesn’t change the reality of the character that’s been on display for decades, someone who seems to thrive on conflict and retribution.
You acknowledge in the article that Trump is someone who “attacks relentlessly” and seeks revenge, yet after spending a bit of time with him, you describe him as warm, charismatic, and “fun to be around.” It’s almost as if you were swayed by Trump’s charm in that moment and let the experience shift your perception of him. Sure, he might have been engaging in that dinner, but does that change the history of his more vengeful and divisive actions? It feels like you are allowing Trump’s charisma to blur the larger patterns of behavior that have defined him, especially in the political arena.
While I appreciated the playbook insight you’ve shared in this article, it did leave me curious about the intent behind it and what you were aiming to convey with your perspective.
Warmly an inescapable soul searcher
In a way, it feels like you are forgetting that one interaction doesn’t rewrite the larger story of who Trump is. It’s easy to fall for all the charisma, but the question is: how much weight should we give one personal encounter when it contradicts the broader evidence of someone’s behavior? While it’s understandable to be affected by someone’s personal warmth, it does seem like there’s a bit of a blind spot here, maybe even letting that charm obscure a more troubling truth about Trump’s behavior and impact on politics.
It’s natural to be taken in by someone’s charm, but it feels like you’re downplaying how consistent Trump’s more hostile, aggressive tendencies have been over the years. And while you might find him fun to be around in that one instance, it doesn’t change the reality of the character that’s been on display for decades, someone who seems to thrive on conflict and retribution.
You acknowledge in the article that Trump is someone who “attacks relentlessly” and seeks revenge, yet after spending a bit of time with him, you describe him as warm, charismatic, and “fun to be around.” It’s almost as if you were swayed by Trump’s charm in that moment and let the experience shift your perception of him. Sure, he might have been engaging in that dinner, but does that change the history of his more vengeful and divisive actions? It feels like you are allowing Trump’s charisma to blur the larger patterns of behavior that have defined him, especially in the political arena.
While I appreciated the playbook insight you’ve shared in this article, it did leave me curious about the intent behind it and what you were aiming to convey with your perspective.
Warmly an inescapable soul searcher, Kehaulani
When these tactics are used at the expense of others, there is nothing kind about the person. I’m all about positive thinking but when the reality you shape is the opposite of the truth, that’s simply mental illness with a nicer name. I appreciate these tactics but it sounds like the right tools are in the wrong hands.
I’ve lowered my respect for Mindvalley and Vishen after this.
I LOVED reading this, Vishan, because your opinion and perspective is so important to me. How amazing that you were invited to Mar a Lago! How did that even happen?!
I did vote for Trump, but not because I like him – it’s because I want to see my country be safer for women and children. (I always voted Democrat, until last year). These past few years things have gotten very dangerous.
I love that you are open minded enough to see that we ALL are brainwashed by our media. Me included! I try so hard to not be stuck in one way of thinking. It’s absolutely challenging.
At this point, I don’t know if Trump will be good for America or not. But I pray that at least the big shake up will help us create a new, better world here.
I’m getting to this thread late so pretty much everything I would say
has already been said.
I have a question or two for you, Vishen.
What was your motivation to go to Mar-a Lago?
Other than your travel expenses, did you pay to attend the event itself? And if so, how much?
Your honest answers might do a lot to illuminate the “why” of it all, for all of us and perhaps for your own benefit as well.
I totally get why this topic stirs up strong emotions, but I think the point of this article wasn’t about supporting or opposing anyone—it was about understanding the psychology of influence and power.
Whether we like it or not, these principles shape the world we live in—in politics, business, and leadership. And if we ignore how they work, we risk being manipulated by them without even realizing it.
Thank you Vishen, I’ve had these questions in my mind as I see friends who are intelligent people get sucked in by Trump. I’ve wondered what is it about this guy that makes some people just so “In love” with him that he can do anything and they will still believe in him. Your analysis of his habits goes a long way to explaining this question.
The thought I did have about his 10 bankruptcies though is, would he have walked away from them claiming success if he had not made a visit to Putin after his first company failure. It seemed after that visit in 1986, (was it?)he could do no wrong and as his son explained to the press on one occasion, “all our money comes from Russia.” It certainly seems the case with his property sales where floor after floor of Trump towers was sold to wealthy, influential, Russian clients.
It seems a similar effect is had by Putins propaganda on intelligent peoples minds. Some how the utter BS sets itself in their minds so they can no longer analyse what is being told to them and make a critical choice as to truth or propaganda. The Russians have it down to a fine art and I believe that their internet propaganda pouring forth from their bot factories can account for much of Trumps following in the USA and elsewhere around the globe!
It seemed Hitler had a similar effect on people, with many of the British aristocracy being sucked into his vitriol. Maybe it’s something the wealthy suffer as their wealth comes between themselves and humanity.
I will never regard anything Trump does as a model for my behavior. You are seemingly justifying lying, cheating, and denial as positive ways to achieve something. This amoral, lying power-hungry egomaniacal sociopath is destroying our American values and way of life, making enemies of our friends and friends of our enemies. He will meet his downfall as a result of all his lies and deception and I hope it comes soon.
Trump and Musk are causing enormous pain and suffering to real people and to civil society and doing possibly irreversible damage to our democracy, if it can survive. Trump may be charming in person and other dictators may be that as well, but he’s a sociopath and narcissist and has no regard or even understanding/feeling for the pain and suffering that he is inflicting on individuals and society and, at this point, the world. This is nothing to emulate. Words escape me.
Tough crowd…you’ve all failed personal development. The most insightful comment award goes to AK. That is an example of how thinking people should have read this article. Pretty much everyone else is just reacting emotionally.