Trump's Iran threats hide 'alarming' message as psychologist uncovers strategy

Clinical psychologist Dr Tracy King has analysed Trump's Easter press conference warnings to Iran, uncovering a calculated strategy designed to impact both supporters and critics

Maria Letcia Gomes GAU Writer and Kelly Williams Content Editor

20:22, 07 Apr 2026Updated 20:23, 07 Apr 2026

Trump said the US 'might' take out the entirety of Iran on Tuesday night(Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)

The Easter holiday proved anything but peaceful for the US Government, particularly for President Donald Trump. Amongst Easter Sunday photo sessions with an enormous bunny and upbeat festive posts on social media, Trump managed to address Iran while surrounded by young children, hold a chaotic and self-congratulatory press briefing, and publish aggressive messages on Truth Social.

The day concluded with announcements of another press conference arranged for Monday. The next day delivered a succession of audacious declarations - including his pledge he'd master Spanish to govern Venezuela, fresh enthusiasm for purchasing Greenland, and a claim that Kim Jong-un branded Joe Biden "a mentally retarded person."

All before Trump assembled with officials and reporters for an address described as featuring "military drama, triumph, punishment and command," according to clinical psychologist Dr Tracy King.

[President Donald Trump speaks during a conference]

Trump's message to the public could be interpreted differently depending on the audience, says Dr Tracy King.(Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)

Analysing the complete press conference, she highlighted the obvious intention behind this appearance, occurring alongside the President's latest ultimatums to Iran concerning the Strait of Hormuz, reports indicating the US may be benefiting less from the conflict than Iran, and persistent concerns about his condition, reports the Express US.

Dr King observed Trump's comments were packed with superlatives, a tactic intended to "raise the emotional heat and make everything sound huge, extreme and almost beyond question.

She explained: "That matters because repeated extreme language changes how people take things in. It reduces the room for proportion. It narrows the space for critical thought. It pushes people towards awe, fear, excitement or alarm before they have had time to weigh anything calmly."

During one section of the address, Trump discussed the rescue operation of fighter jet pilots who had been shot down in Iran. Dr King observed this portion was quickly steered to emphasise his own role.

[WASHINGTON DC, UNITED STATES - APRIL 6: The United States President Donald Trump holds a Press Conference in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House on April 6, 2026, in Washington DC, United States. (Photo by Celal Gunes/Anadolu via Getty Images)]

Donald Trump has received backlash for his recent threat to Iran(Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)

She noted: "Even though the speech is about the rescue and the bravery of others, it keeps coming back towards him. What he watched. What impressed him. What he thought. What he valued. What he will do. So the speech is not just about military success, but it also puts him back at the centre of events."

She connects this strategy to the context of recent developments concerning the President. "It works as a restoration of status. If he feared rumours had briefly made him look weak, absent or physically vulnerable, the speech answers that by placing him in the middle of power, action and command."

"To the American public, the message seems to be: do not see me as weak, absent or diminished. See me as the man at the centre of force, rescue, retaliation and control."

"For supporters, that can feel reassuring because strength can feel like safety when people are anxious. For critics, it can feel alarming because the same language can sound volatile, punishing and overheated."raise the emotional heat and make everything sound huge, extreme and almost beyond question, reports the Mirror US.

She explained: "So the speech works differently depending on who is hearing it, but in both cases it has an impact because it acts on the nervous system."

Finally, she examines the menacing nature of the language Trump chooses.

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She observed: "To those he is at war with, the message is harsher. It says uncertainty is part of the strategy. He can hold back, create confusion, and then hit hard."

"He appears to want to be felt as unpredictable, forceful and willing to escalate. That is psychologically useful in war because it keeps opponents guessing and makes them worry not only about military power, but about his threshold for using it."

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