Proudly Deranged: Join ATDC

By Mark M. Bello

By now, you have heard the phrase “Trump Derangement Syndrome” tossed around casually by Donald Trump and his defenders. Most recently, our despicable POTUS used the phrase to describe filmmaker Rob Reiner when asked to comment about Reiner’s tragic death. Instead of empathy, compassion, condolences, or simple common decency, Trump called Reiner “deranged” because Reiner was a vocal critic of the president’s rhetoric and politics.

While nothing surprises me about Trump, this was a new low, even for him.

A beloved public figure had been murdered, a family shattered, and the president of the United States responded not with humanity, restraint, or empathy—but with an insult. It was grotesque. And it clarified something for me. I’ll say this plainly:

If Reiner was Trump deranged, I, too, am Trump Deranged. And damned proud of it.

I’m “deranged” if it means:

• Refusing to normalize cruelty.
• Rejecting bigotry, racism, antisemitism, Islamophobia, misogyny, and homophobia.
• Insisting that words matter, that violence matters, that human dignity still matters.

I am proud to be guilty as charged.

How Hate Became Normalized

Donald Trump didn’t invent hate in America. But he did something just as dangerous: he normalized it. He championed the notions that mockery is leadership, cruelty is strength, and dehumanization is acceptable so long as the targets are the “right” people.

He opened the door for people who once whispered their worst instincts to shout them through megaphones. And too many institutions—political, media, and civic—shrugged and adjusted.

I refuse to adjust, and I’m proud.

Announcing The ATDC: The Association of Trump Deranged Citizens

This is not a joke or a political party. It is not about blind opposition. ATDC has been organized for people who refuse to stand by silently while our civic culture erodes.

People who believe:

• Empathy is not weakness
• Democracy requires participation
• Silence in the face of cruelty is complicity
• And our leader owes both citizens and non-citizens respect and common decency, regardless of their political leanings or affiliations.

Joining ATDC is a statement:
I see what’s happening, and I will not look away or stay silent.

What Membership Means (and What It Doesn’t)

Membership in ATDC is simple.

It means:

• You value decency over dominance
• You reject hate as politics
• You believe disagreement does not justify dehumanization

It does not require:

• Party loyalty
• Ideological purity
• Performative outrage

This is about values, not tribalism.

Optional Merchandise (Because Some People Ask)

For those who want them, “Proudly Deranged” hats and t-shirts will soon be available as an optional, discounted purchase for members.

How to Join

Details on joining the Association of Trump Deranged Citizens (ATDC) are provided below. Membership information will be used solely for association purposes. A large portion of proceeds will be donated to organizations that oppose hate and injustice, defend civil liberties and democratic institutions, and support children’s charities serving families harmed by political neglect.

To join the ATDC, send us your contact information:

Name:

Address:

City/State:

Email Address:

along with a $25.00 (or more, if you’re as angry as I am) check, money order, or include your credit card information to:

ATDC

C/O Mark M. Bello

4301 Orchard Lake Road

Suite 180-124

West Bloomfield, MI 48323

And again, a large portion of the proceeds will be donated to organizations that oppose hate and injustice.

Final Thought

History is not kind to those who “went along to get along.” If caring about democracy, empathy, and basic human decency makes me “deranged” in this moment—

Then I’m Trump Deranged. And I’m Damned Proud. Join me, won’t you?