The temperament of a world leader plays a crucial role in shaping domestic and international stability. In the case of former U.S. President Donald Trump, his erratic and impulsive nature has raised serious concerns about global security—particularly in relation to the Doomsday Clock, a symbolic representation of how close humanity is to global catastrophe. The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists set the clock at 100 seconds to midnight during Trump’s first presidency, the closest it has ever been since its existence in 1947. On January 28, 2025, it was reset at 89 seconds, reflecting heightened existential threats. Analyzing Trump's behaviour, particularly his Twitter activity, provides insight into why his leadership was and is seen as a destabilizing force.

Donald Trump’s return to the presidency has once again placed the United States—and the world—on uncertain footing. With his characteristic impulsivity, divisive rhetoric, and disregard for expert guidance, global stability is at risk. The Doomsday Clock now teeters dangerously near midnight. 

With Trump's unpredictable leadership style, reliance on misinformation, and habitual moral disengagement, the risks of nuclear conflict, environmental degradation, and global instability are now more pressing than ever.

Trump’s Twitter and Psychological Profile: A Warning Sign

Trump’s online behaviour has long served as a direct window into his psychological profile, revealing a leader driven by impulsivity, dominance, and provocation. His tweets continue to be filled with falsehoods, personal attacks, and reckless threats, often with serious geopolitical consequences.

A study in Psychological Science previously found that Trump’s word choices varied predictably when disseminating misinformation, suggesting that his use of deception is strategic rather than incidental. This manipulation of public perception has intensified under his renewed leadership, fuelling political polarization and distrust in democratic institutions.

Further analysis by Psychology Today and Science Sources has shown that Trump's personal tweets are more negative and less sophisticated than those drafted by his staff, reinforcing his instinct-driven approach to leadership. His tweets frequently serve to divert media attention from critical issues, a tactic that continues to weaken transparency and accountability.

Moral Disengagement and Heightened Global Risks

Trump’s use of moral disengagement mechanisms, which allow individuals to justify unethical actions without guilt, has been well-documented. A study in Journals.SagePub.com found that 45% of his analyzed tweets contained at least one such mechanism, including victim-blaming, dehumanization, and distortion of consequences.

This behaviour is particularly alarming given his involvement in nuclear diplomacy. During his first term, Trump openly taunted North Korea’s Kim Jong-un on Twitter, escalating tensions with inflammatory rhetoric such as: "I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works!"

Now, with Trump once again holding the nuclear codes, his penchant for impulsive threats could push the world closer to the brink of war. His withdrawal from international agreements, aggressive posture toward adversaries, and dismissal of expert guidance on foreign policy make his second term even more perilous.

The Doomsday Clock: Moving Closer to Midnight

The Doomsday Clock, managed by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, reflects the level of existential threats facing humanity—from nuclear war to climate change and disruptive technologies. Under Trump’s first term, the clock moved closer than ever before, citing his withdrawal from arms treaties, disregard for climate policy, and destabilizing rhetoric.

Now that he’s back in office, the risks have escalated once again. His continued denial of climate science, aggressive posturing toward Canada, Mexico, and China, and dismantling of diplomatic agreements have put global security on a knife’s edge.

Additionally, his undermining of democratic norms, including attacks on the legitimacy of elections and the judiciary, weakens America’s credibility on the world stage, further destabilizing alliances and emboldening adversaries.

A Future on the Edge of Catastrophe

Trump’s second term represents a critical test for global security. His impulsivity, moral disengagement, and willingness to spread misinformation are not just domestic concerns—they threaten the very foundation of global stability.

Using history as a guide, we see how Trump’s return to power brought the Doomsday Clock even closer to midnight. His reckless rhetoric, erratic decision-making, and disregard for scientific and diplomatic expertise make the world a more dangerous place.

As the global community watches his leadership unfold once again, one question remains: Will he push the world past the point of no return and will the 77 million US residence who voted for him, let him?