I’m using Trump as a metaphor, an example of our own double-binding imperatives when conflicted between nature and duty. A compulsion happens when we find a ritualistic way of doing both at the same time, of going up and down both at the same time. That ritual is a compulsion that we have to do in order to release the tension of the double-bind, which can be a torture. Our compulsive ritual (which psychology might call a complex) is as pressure release valve. If you don’t do it we will explode like an amplifier when you put the mike next to it. 

Trump flip flops to relieve the painful pressure of the conflict between his personal nature (story) and his duty. When president you can’t serve two gods: self and country. But Trump, because he never released his personal taxes (example), kept his Personal Power which is in conflict with Presidential Power of the office. His personal power is dependent upon his Brand Trump, his Story of being a Winner. The double=bind is that in order to win as a Person, he has to lose as a President.

That is a categorical imperative in America, to be Unique. Yet…there opposing imperative is to be in relationship with something greater than you: a marriage, a religion, a gang, or movement, something that is the whole of which you are a part. That point where the part conflicts with the whole is the flash point that has to be solved.

And those who are passionate about Trump are also caught in a compulsion like Trump. They have to vote for Trump no matter what he does. That is not logical. What is their compulsion? What are the two contradictory imperatives that they can’t obey at the same time, so they create the compulsion of Trump to release the tension. They too want to be Unique, powerful, self defining, and free to follow their instincts. Yet they have to belong to a greater whole or movement. Trump offers them the solution: You can be Unique and free by identifying with Trump as your Center. 

Now you can obey both imperatives: be Unique and Belong at the same time. Supporting Trump no matter what keeps releasing the tension between these two commandments. Trump becomes their compulsion because they are not solved the riddle personally, but vicariously through Trump. In order to be Unique, they would have to disavow Trump. But to disavow Trump they would have to stop being unique. Catch 22.