A BILL IS BEING INTRODUCED in the Minnesota Senate today that should alarm everyone, whether you live in Minnesota or not. That’s the addition of “Trump Derangement Syndrome” to the definition of mental illness under current state law.
Apparently this term has been floating around for awhile, although I just learned of it on Sunday. My jaw dropped. I could not believe what I was hearing on an evening newscast. Five Republican senators from central Minnesota have authored the bill, which will be introduced today in the state Senate and then referred to the Health and Human Services Committee. It reads in part as follows:
Subd. 40a. Trump Derangement Syndrome.
“Trump Derangement Syndrome” means the acute onset of paranoia in otherwise normal persons that is in reaction to the policies and presidencies of President Donald J. Trump. Symptoms may include Trump-induced general hysteria, which produces an inability to distinguish between legitimate policy differences and signs of psychic pathology in President Donald J. Trump’s behavior. This may be expressed by: (1) verbal expressions of intense hostility toward President Donald J. Trump; and (2) overt acts of aggression and violence against anyone supporting President Donald J. Trump or anything that symbolizes President Donald J. Trump.
My reaction was immediate and emotional. Why? First, this proposed legislation is an affront to anyone who has ever dealt with/deals with a mental illness or who has a family member or friend who has ever dealt with/deals with a mental illness. The National Alliance on Mental Illness lists 12 mental health conditions, including anxiety, ADHD, bipolar disorder, depression, OCD, postraumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia and more. One in five U.S. adults experience mental illness in a given year, according to NAMI. My guess is that each of the five senators proposing this change in state law has been touched in some way by mental illness, whether they admit it or not.
Now, just as we’ve been making strides in raising awareness about mental health and reducing the stigma, along comes a bill like this which stigmatizes, degrades and demoralizes. It’s insensitive, absolutely unnecessary and is politicizing mental health conditions.
The other component of this proposed change in state law which really concerns me is the wordage “verbal expressions.” Yes, that’s further defined as “intense hostility.” But who defines “intense hostility?” And what happens if you’re found to be “hostile” by whomever simply because you disagree? Perhaps you’re just “passionate.” There’s a lot to think about here.
I support free speech. We have the right to criticize, voice our opinions, speak our minds in a democracy. Or so I thought. Note that I don’t condone acts of aggression and violence against anyone, even if I don’t care for the individual or his/her policies.
But I do care about mental health.
© Copyright 2025 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
What I read on social media is self-radicalization, smacking of the “deadly sin” envy/jealousy.
Interesting. Not sure I understand that connection. I’m not on social media, unless you count blogs as social media.
It will never make it to the DSM which is the psychiatric diagnostic manual. That said, the bill is over the top, even for the present moment.
I was trying to remember the name of that diagnostic manual, so thank you for including that in your comment. I hope you’re right on the never making it into the manual. And, yes, this bill is over the top and much more.
It takes years and a ton of verifying research for a new diagnosis to make it into the DSM. It is a very long haul.
Thank you for that info. I appreciate it. I figured it was a process, and one not done flippantly as seems to be the case with this Minnesota bill.
If expressions against a nation’s leadership can be met with a diagnosis and involuntary incarceration for mental illness, that tends to put a chill on protest and speaking out.
Trump cut funding in the US for Voice of America, Radio Liberty, and other pro-democracy American programming yesterday.
I’m so sorry for what you’re facing.
Thank you, Michelle. There’s a lot happening in the U.S. right now which is deeply concerning. Thank you for referencing those cuts made yesterday regarding free speech. Am I remembering correctly that you live in Canada?
Yes. The feelings here are tense.
I’m sorry, Michelle, for what Trump, with his policies, is doing to Canada and other countries. I did not vote for him, don’t support his actions or those of his minions. Many of us don’t. There’s a lot of tension, concern, stress, worry, etc. in America over what is happening. I attended a town hall meeting the other evening and 300 people showed up. Unfortunately, our representative in Washington DC did not. I could write pages about my concerns. I fear for our country. I hope Canadians can separate “we the people” from our authoritarian President. I love having your country as a neighbor to us here in Minnesota.
On the topic of this blog post, there’s an update. One of the bill’s authors, Senator Justin Eichorn, was arrested Monday evening and will appear in federal court this afternoon on charges of soliciting a minor (layman’s words). Republicans in the Minnesota Senate are also seeking his expulsion from the Senate. That is happening today, too. As far as the bill, I will try to stay on top of it and post an update if anything happens. I don’t see any way this will be passed. But then a lot of things have happened in this country which I would never have thought possible.
I think most Canadians are able to separate good guys from MAGA.
I’m glad that someone who’s involved in hurting children has been apprehended. I just don’t get it.
I look forward to updates.
I’m glad to hear that Canadians can separate the two. I just wish none of this was happening in our country. Or yours.
I just checked on the status of the Trump Derangement Syndrome bill. Today (former) Senator Justin Eichorn was stricken as one of five authors of this bill. The bill was referred on March 17 to the Health and Human Services Committee. Let’s hope that committee has enough smarts to strike the bill, or whatever the legal term is to put an end to this proposal.
That is scary. Hopefully the 2026 elections can fix some of this stuff.
I hope you’re right.
I couldn’t believe it when I read the StarTribune article. I, like you, was not familiar with the term. The introduction of such a bill is ludicrous. It’s mocking mental health and mental illness. I’m glad to see the earlier comment about the DSM and the lengthy process it would take. Mental health and mental illness should never be politicized as these lawmakers are attempting. Thanks for calling attention to this.
Thank you, Colleen. And I fully agree with you on all points.
Wow Audrey, I was hoping this was some kind of joke, but looking at the links you provided, Yikes! I was writing down my thoughts to send emails to these politicians. I had to walk away and calm down a bit to write a more coherent and succinct note…I wonder what they propose as treatment or cure? I’m glad Michael Watson shared that this would take years to make into the DSM…. Like you, I also support free speech and do not condone acts of aggression and violence. The lives of many good, decent, wonderful Minnesotans are falling apart, because the cost of food, housing, healthcare, and utilities is outrageous. We need equality and we need to balance the budget in our state and our country. We Need a Government that that cares about all of us, can bring people together, and encourage us all to do our best. This bill is not it.
I hear you, Rose, and feel your passion. I wanted to scream and SHOUT when I heard about this bill. So I definitely understand your reaction. Thank you for emailing politicians. I’ve made a few phone calls to DC in recent weeks. Your comment is spot on.
This is a ridiculous bill aimed at further oppression of anyone who disagrees with Trump. This is a horrifying time in America and this bill does nothing to ease anyone’s suffering. The people who came up with this bill must be terrified of their opposition or they wouldn’t be grasping at such wild ideas as tools.
I fully agree. Your last sentence is a truly insightful comment. Thank you for sharing that.
I feel like this is more of a political stunt or satire of some sort not actually something that will even go much further. I’ve heard this term a lot with regard to how people are making choices not of their own, but based on following the cult of the leader, as they describe it.
I doubt this bill will progress. But the very fact that it was introduced, for whatever reason, is truly hurtful, inconsiderate, disrespectful, uncaring and a lot of other words you could insert here. I am appalled by this bill.
Here’s a story published an hour ago on Minnesota Public Radio news which offers additional information: https://www.mprnews.org/story/2025/03/17/trump-derangement-syndrome-bill-causes-minnesota-capitol-discord
absolutely, and I so agree. mental health is not something to be made fun of for any reason and it’s a constant challenge to get care for those who need it. the stigma still exists and this kind of stunt doesn’t help.
Precisely.
Unbelievable! There are no words.
I know. Just when you think you’ve heard it all…
I agree with Michael that it is very unlikely this will ever make it through the process to get included in the DSM. I feel like it is maybe another effort to continue to “rile” folks up and get their focus redirected for some reason. I imagine if I was aware of all of the proposals and proposed bills over the years I would be amazed and probably horrified. Hopefully your state will see this for what it is….
Reaction in Minnesota, at least from the DFL, has been swift with nothing good to say about this proposed bill. Whether the bill is intended to deflect or rile people up, it’s offensive, mean, hurtful and downright scary. Yes, I take seriously anything that’s proposed, because I’ve seen too many unbelievable things happening in this country that I would never have thought possible in a democracy. The system of checks and balances (executive, legislative and judicial) is basically being ignored by the executive branch at the federal level.