A Republican state senator in Arizona has proposed legislation that would compel the state's health department to conduct a formal investigation into the so-called medical condition dubbed 'Trump Derangement Syndrome' (TDS).
The Proposed Legislation: Senate Bill 1070
The bill, known as Senate Bill 1070, was introduced by State Senator Janae Shamp. It would mandate the Arizona Department of Health Services to undertake a year-long study. This research would be tasked with examining the 'origins, manifestations and long-term effects' of what the bill's text describes as a condition characterised by 'irrational animus' towards former President Donald Trump.
The legislative findings within the proposal make bold claims, asserting that this animus has led to assassination attempts against the president. It also praises Trump's 'contributions to America’s prosperity'.
Widespread Criticism and Expected Opposition
The initiative is already facing significant backlash and is expected to be opposed by Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs. A former director of the state's health department has publicly criticised the bill, labelling it as 'silly' and arguing that such a study falls well outside the agency's core public health mission.
This move by Arizona Republicans is not an isolated incident. It follows similar attempts at both state and federal levels to lend legitimacy to the term 'Trump Derangement Syndrome', which is frequently used by the former president and his supporters to dismiss and discredit critics.
A Broader Pattern of Political Partisanship
The push for this study highlights the deepening intersection of political rhetoric and public health policy. By framing political opposition as a syndrome requiring medical investigation, the bill blurs the lines between policy debate and perceived psychological ailment.
Similar efforts have been noted in Minnesota and among some federal lawmakers, indicating a coordinated strategy to embed this partisan term into official discourse. The outcome of this Arizona bill will be closely watched as a bellwether for how such concepts are weaponised in the political arena.
