What is going on in Donald Trump's head? | Oliver Burkeman

If you can stand to have a little empathy for someone who seems unsympathetic, maybe his whole life is dedicated to feeling less empty inside

Lately, as I follow American politics, a question keeps nagging at me, resurfacing unbidden in idle moments over coffee, or while waiting on station platforms: what is Donald Trump thinking?

To be clear, I don't mean "what makes Trump think he can be president?", since for all I know, he doesn't really think this. And I don't mean "what makes Trump think the right way to campaign for the presidency is to travel the country by private jet spewing racist bile about Mexicans every time he opens his mouth?" Clearly, Trump either believes that stuff or is cynical enough to pretend that he does.