AZ State Senator Proposes Law To Spend State Resources Studying ‘Trump Derangement Syndrome’

I’ve come to really appreciate the term “Trump derangement syndrome.” I’ve found it incredibly useful, primarily because whenever I hear someone use the phrase unironically, I am comfortable assessing that the conversation with that person will be unproductive and can be ended. It’s a rhetorical device, and not a particularly good one, that is trotted out to dismiss any criticism of Dear Leader/Orange Daddy. There’s no actual substance to it, but it’s been picked up by all kinds of right wing media outlets and even the President himself when he wants to take a shit on a beloved dead man’s undug grave. It’s all just empty calories, candy for a base of fervent fandom that can’t be bothered to actually argue a point.

Which makes it particularly galling that one Arizona state Senator wants to spend government resources “studying” TDS.

If it’s a contest on who can tee up the wackiest bill for a veto, Surprise state Sen. Janae Shamp might be going for gold. In a bill filed Monday ahead of the 2026 legislative session, Shamp has proposed that Arizona’s government undertake a study of “Trump Derangement Syndrome,” a phrase that has become popular among Republicans to describe negative sentiments toward President Donald Trump.

Shamp’s Senate Bill 1070 — not the most infamous bill by that name, which it shares with Arizona’s notorious “show me your papers” law — would direct the Arizona Department of Health Services to conduct or support research to “advance the understanding of Trump Derangement Syndrome, including its origins, manifestations and long-term effects on individuals, communities and public discourse.” It also directs the department to identify early documented cases and analyze factors like political polarization. The department would have a year to present its findings or provide an update.

Some have called this a “statement bill.” Some have indicated it’s red meat for the base in order to further Shamp’s career. I call it something much more simple: a giant waste of fucking time, money, and resources that are provided by the people of Arizona. The disrespect to go on a campaign of legislative shitposting, while putting real dollars and people behind the troll, is breathtaking.

So much so, actually, that I hope this passes. It almost certainly won’t survive a veto from Democrat Governor Katie Hobbs of course, but a big piece of me wishes it would. Put this bullshit on full display. Make a circus of it. Show in painful detail exactly how some lawmakers in the Trump cult want to use your money for this nonsense. Then come back to me and tell me once more about the party of limited government and fiscal responsibility.

Or turn this bill completely on its head.

The bill’s definition of “Trump Derangement Syndrome” is amusingly — and perhaps unintentionally — broad. Shamp’s bill defines so-called TDS as “a behavioral or psychological phenomenon that is characterized by intense emotional or psychological reactions to Donald Trump, his actions or his public presence as observed in individuals or groups.”

According to that definition, it appears that “Trump Derangement Syndrome” could also be applied to the intense adoration and worship of Trump that Republicans often exhibit. Perhaps right-wingers like Shamp and Wendy Rogers, who often fawn over Trump, should be in padded cells.

To be clear, I think that would be a giant waste of time as well. But if modern American politics is going to devolve into a troll-off, at least go ahead and try to win it, I guess.

Or perhaps we can all agree that this is stupid, that spending any calories studying a made up affliction that has no basis in reality is silly, and that there are obviously some members of state government who are past their expiration date.