“Donald Trump’s frequent use of extravagant language to describe his achievements as ‘the best’, ‘unprecedented’ and his emphasis on loyalty (to him) show that he’s the centre of his world,” writes Whimsy columnist CLIVE WILLIAMS. 

There are two types of people: those who walk into a room and say, “Well, here I am,” and those who walk into a room and say, “Ah, there you are.” – Frederick Collins

The Oxford definition of an egotist is “a person who is excessively conceited or absorbed in themselves”. 

Determining whether Donald Trump is the greatest egotist to serve as US president is inevitably subjective as ego has been a notable trait of some other past presidents.

Theodore Roosevelt, for instance, was known for his larger-than-life personality and relentless drive for attention. Lyndon B Johnson’s ego often manifested in his domineering political style and his obsession with his legacy. Richard Nixon’s egotism was driven by deep insecurity and a need to control the narrative. One of the early populist presidents, Andrew Jackson, projected an enormous ego, exemplified by his unapologetic policy decisions and personal feuds. 

Trump’s personality is widely described as one of overt self-confidence, self-promotion, and a need for public recognition – traits consistent with egotism. His frequent use of extravagant language to describe his achievements as “the best,” “unprecedented” – and his emphasis on loyalty (to him) – show that he’s the centre of his world.

What sets Trump apart from his predecessors is his use of social media to promote himself and attack critics. 

Trump is undoubtedly one of the most outwardly egotistical US presidents, but whether he is the “greatest” depends on how one rates egotists from different eras – through analysis of their public behaviour, leadership style or historical impact.

Some enlightening quotes about egotists

“Is your husband religious?” “Oh, yes, he thinks he’s God Almighty.” –David Frost’s wife

He was a cock who thought the sun had come up to hear him crow. –George Eliot

In my case, self-absorption is completely justified. –Clifton Webb

Every time I’m wrong, the world makes a little less sense. –Frasier Crane

If I only had a little humility, I’d be perfect. –Ted Turner

I’ve given up reading books. I find it takes my mind off myself. –HL Mencken

Sometimes I just stare at a photograph of me and miss myself. –Larry Sanders

But enough about me, let’s talk about you. What do you think of me? – Bette Midler

There, but for the grace of God, goes God. –Winston Churchill

“I simply cannot find the words to tell you how superb you were.” “Try.” –Claire Trevor and Judith Anderson 

I have my faults, but being wrong isn’t one of them. –Jimmy Hoffa 

My father wanted to be the baby at every christening, the bride at every wedding, and the corpse at every funeral. –Alice Roosevelt Longworth 

He had a genius for backing into the limelight. –Lord Berners 

Sherard Blaw arrived, the dramatist who had discovered himself, and who had given so ungrudgingly of his discovery to the world. –Saki 

He has love bites on his mirror. –Kathy Lette 

“I only know of two painters in the world – yourself and Velasquez.” “Why drag in Velasquez?” –Art-lover’s conversation with James McNeill Whistler 

She’s always nice to her inferiors, whenever she can find them. –Dorothy Parker 

“Do you think you’ve learned from your mistakes?” “What mistakes?” –Leslie Caron 

I like to be introduced as America’s foremost actor. It saves the necessity of further effort. –John Barrymore 

An inferiority complex would be a blessing if only the right people had it. –Alan Reed 

To conclude: Basil was a successful egotist who had built up his business from nothing. He’d always been generous to the church and when he became terminally ill, he prayed for advice on what to bring to heaven.

The heavenly advice was to bring that which he valued more than himself. So, he filled a suitcase with gold bars and when he duly arrived at the pearly gates St Peter said: “I’ll be very interested to see what you brought.” 

Basil opened the case and proudly showed St Peter the gold.

St Peter could not contain his surprise: “You brought a suitcase full of pavers?!”

Clive Williams is a Canberra columnist