Have you ever heard of “Trump Derangement Syndrome”?
Well, a group of Republican senators in Minnesota thinks it should officially become a mental health diagnosis.
Last week, five Minnesota senators introduced a bill, known as SF 2589, that would make “Trump Derangement Syndrome” (TDS) an official mental illness in state law.
Their goal? To call attention to what they see as an over-the-top reaction some people have to former President Donald Trump.
So, what’s TDS exactly?
It’s so real pic.twitter.com/f0nyUCe6ES
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 21, 2025
According to this new bill, it’s “the acute onset of paranoia in otherwise normal persons that is in reaction to the policies and presidencies of President Donald J. Trump.”
In simple terms, it’s when people become extremely upset or even angry anytime Trump’s name is mentioned or when they hear about his policies.
The bill says common signs of TDS include “general hysteria,” an inability to separate real policy disagreements from exaggerated anger, verbal attacks against Trump, and even aggressive actions towards his supporters or symbols associated with him.
The senators behind this unusual proposal are Eric Lucero, Steve Drazkowski, Nathan Wesenberg, Justin Eichorn, and Glenn Gruenhagen—all Republicans.
Senator Mark Johnson, the Republican leader in the Senate, explained it as a way to point out how obsessed some people have become with Trump, describing the bill as mostly “tongue-in-cheek.”
But not everyone thinks this is a good joke.
Democrats, who currently control Minnesota’s Senate by a slim margin, have criticized the bill strongly.
Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy said it’s “possibly the worst bill in Minnesota history,” calling it disrespectful to people dealing with real mental health issues.
Other critics argue the bill might even threaten free speech by labeling political disagreement as mental illness.
Still, supporters say it’s a humorous way to highlight what they see as excessive anti-Trump sentiment.
Now, let’s be clear: “Trump Derangement Syndrome” isn’t recognized by medical professionals. You won’t find it in official books like the DSM-5, the manual doctors use to diagnose mental illnesses.
The term originally started as a joke, created from another phrase, “Bush Derangement Syndrome,” coined by conservative writer Charles Krauthammer back in 2003.
Minnesota’s bill, introduced on March 17, 2025, has stirred plenty of debate.
Many see it as a symbolic move to spotlight the ongoing, intense reactions some have towards Trump.
Others see it as a waste of time, energy, and resources, especially with Minnesota’s divided legislature.
In the end, while SF 2589 probably won’t become law, it has definitely got people talking.
It highlights a key conservative idea: government shouldn’t get involved in everything, especially our personal opinions or emotional reactions to politicians.
So, the next time someone loses their cool at the mention of Trump, just smile and remember Minnesota’s senators—and their unusual way of pointing out that maybe we’ve all gotten just a little too worked up about politics.
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
