Arizona lawmaker calls ‘Trump Derangement Syndrome’ a threat to social and political stability

By HPN Staff

An Arizona lawmaker wants her state’s public health department to study Trump Derangement Syndrome (TDS) and its long-term impacts. She’s bringing forth a new bill that would result in recommendations for further research or public health actions to mitigate what she calls a “public health crisis.”

Senate Bill 1070 defines TDS as “a behavioral or psychological phenomenon that is characterized by intense emotional or psychological reactions to Donald J. Trump, his actions or his public presence as observed in individuals or groups.”  

The bill, sponsored by Sen. Janae Shamp (R-Surprise), says TDS “affects mental health, social cohesion and political stability in the state.” It directs the Department of Health Services to look at the psychological and social impacts through collaboration with mental health professionals and other stakeholders to develop interventions and mitigate the syndrome. A report is to be produced in one year to “guide future public health strategies.”

Currently, TDS is not recognized as a mental health disorder by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5^th edition.

The bill cites Trump's achievements and notes that two assassination attempts on the president are the likely result of TDS.

This is not the first effort to define and resolve TDS. In March 2025, Minnesota legislators attempted a bill to define TDS as a mental health illness. Federal lawmakers are also considering a similar act.

Why it matters

Similar “derangement” syndromes have been discussed for decades. Psychologist and political commentator Charles Krauthammer first described “Bush Derangement Syndrome” in 2003. This kind of syndrome labeling continued with President Barack Obama and Presidential candidate Mitt Romney in the years following.

Opponents to policies attempting to address TDS call them a “waste of time,” and say that they trivialize mental illness conditions. In Arizona, the former director of health services called SB 1070 “silly.” A KPHO/KTVK evening anchor echoed the comment, blurring the line between reporting and editorializing.

“It’s not silly when people are being assassinated,” Shamp said.

Shamp told HPN that she took action following the slaying of Turning Point USA leader Charlie Kirk, and she adamantly disagrees with her opponents’ assessments.

“People are being weaponized to kill other people because of this syndrome, and we’ve got to talk about it,” she said. “This is a mental health crisis.”

Shamp, who is a registered nurse, said there is a stark difference between past references often used as a political tool and what is seen today.

“As a nurse, I can’t even ask a patient who we’re trying to find out if they’re alert and oriented, who the president of the United States is,” said Shamp. “People lose their minds when you ask them that.”

Shamp said she has received alarming emails, calling her names for carrying the legislation.

“They’re proving my point,” she said, and will present the emails in committee as further proof of TDS.

New York psychotherapist Jonathan Alpert agrees, calling TDS an obsessive disorder, reinforced through echo chambers of thought.

“People are obsessed with Trump. They’re hyper-fixated on Trump,” he said during a TV interview. “They talk about some of the features of this disorder. They can’t sleep, they feel traumatized by Mr. Trump, and they feel restless.”

Alpert called it the “defining pathology of our time.”

The bigger picture

In Minnesota, a Senate committee passed the bill, but it failed to become law. Its sponsor was also embroiled in a separate scandal. In Congress, HR 3432 was introduced in May but has not been through committee.

Shamp believes her bill will pass both the Arizona House and Senate but will eventually be vetoed by the governor.

“We need to start having the conversation,” Shamp said. “These extreme political obsessions are detrimental and are impacting the mental health and the safety of citizens of Arizona. I take that very seriously.”