This is an opinion cartoon.

“Gaslighting is a tactic in which a person or entity, in order to gain more power, makes a victim question their reality. It works much better than you may think. Anyone is susceptible to gaslighting, and it is a common technique of abusers, dictators, narcissists, and cult leaders. It is done slowly, so the victim doesn’t realize how much they’ve been brainwashed.” - Stephanie A. Sarkis, Ph.D

11 warning signs of Gaslighting

1. They tell blatant lies.

2. They deny they ever said something, even though you have proof.

3. They use what is near and dear to you as ammunition.

4. They wear you down over time.

5. Their actions do not match their words.

6. They throw in positive reinforcement to confuse you.

7. They know confusion weakens people.

8. They project.

They are a drug user or a cheater, yet they are constantly accusing you of that. This is done so often that you start trying to defend yourself, and are distracted from the gaslighter’s own behavior.

9. They try to align people against you.

10. They tell you or others that you are crazy.

This is one of the most effective tools of the gaslighter, because it's dismissive. The gaslighter knows if they question your sanity, people will not believe you when you tell them the gaslighter is abusive or out-of-control. It's a master technique.

11. They tell you everyone else is a liar. Fake news!

Trump apparently thinks he’s a master at gaslighting

Oops. With a little help from Russia, America elected a gaslighting narcissist as president. And now he’s throwing his country under the bus - doubling, tripling and quadrupling down on everything he’s been caught red forked-tongue lying about. It’s all about him. He’s a carnival barker con artist who has never had to be held accountable for anything he’s ever done in his life. Why should he start now? Power only makes his sickness worse.

Even Fox News is finally starting to cringe at Trump’s unhinged antics.

Tucker Carlson: There’s no way to spin this

Trump is an unapologetic dog-whistling flame-thrower to every white nationalist bigot who thinks they have a like-minded friend in the White House. Because they do.

Trump is right about one thing: He is the most transparent president ever. Everyone can see straight through his buffoonery ... except for his blind faith followers. What will it take for Trump’s Alabama GOP bootlickers (looking at you, Bradley Byrne - you know better, or at least you used to) to grow a spine, pull your collective noses out of the president’s butt and speak up? A soul is a terrible thing to waste.

We used to have at least one statesman in Alabama. Those days are gone. We miss you, Jack Edwards.

It was never about ‘America First.' It’s always been Trump first.

You knew damn well I was a snake when you took me in

More cartoons by JD Crowe