In a compelling analysis of President Donald Trump’s current state of mind, biographer Michael Wolff suggests that Trump is grappling with a sense of fading influence as he approaches the twilight of his political career. Wolff, who has extensively documented Trump’s presidency, argues that the ex-president is stuck in a “long goodbye,” facing an uncertain future while desperately trying to remain relevant.

Wolff recently shared insights during an episode of the “Inside Trump’s Head” podcast, where he discussed Trump’s latest efforts to capture attention, including the planned “Trump-a-Palooza” event in Dallas. According to Wolff, the gathering is more than just a publicity stunt; it’s part of Trump’s strategy to solidify his dominance within the Republican Party.

“It’s all about attention,” Wolff emphasized, explaining that Trump is intolerant of even the notion that others might overshadow him. As he approaches the 2024 election, Trump is determined to project an image of invincibility, refusing to allow the GOP to envision a future devoid of his presence.

Wolff pointed out that in a typical second presidential term, discussions about potential successors tend to dominate the political landscape. However, the biographer believes Trump’s approach will defy this norm. “I am not going away,” he predicts the former president is signaling, making a conscious effort to push back against the narrative of an impending departure from the political scene.

During the podcast, the conversation shifted to Trump’s reflections on mortality, particularly in the wake of recent celebrity deaths. Wolff noted that Trump, who is now in his late seventies and has struggled with obesity and health issues, may be confronting his own vulnerabilities more than ever.

“Eighty is a seriously mortal moment,” Wolff commented, suggesting that Trump is acutely aware of the implications associated with being in his ninth decade of life. This heightened awareness, according to Wolff, could amplify Trump’s anxiety around maintaining his public persona.

The biographer expressed concern that Trump’s reaction to these existential reflections might manifest as a louder and more desperate attempt to maintain his public image. “The cult of personality is going to go into hyperdrive now,” Wolff warned, as Trump seeks to embed himself deeper into the minds of his followers.

“He’s saying ‘I’m not going to allow the party, the country, or the world to get me, Donald Trump, out of its head,’” Wolff elaborated, underscoring Trump’s understanding that his influence hinges on being at the center of public discourse.

Wolff and his co-host Joanna Coles also touched on the upcoming commemoration of the September 11 attacks, speculating on Trump’s likely reaction to the gathering of prominent figures such as former Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, Joe Biden, and others who will be attending the memorial.

“How is he going to react when the 9/11 event happens, especially since he’s a New Yorker?” Coles questioned, noting that Trump’s absence might be a significant blow to his ego, particularly as other political leaders are set to gather and be prominently featured in the media.

Wolff assured that Trump will attempt to redirect attention back to himself, hoping that his Dallas event will somehow overshadow the memorial. “Oh, he’s hoping his Trump-a-Palooza will upstage 9/11,” he stated, believing the former president has been ruminating on how to reclaim the spotlight.

The discussion turned to the absurdity of Trump’s ego-driven pursuits, with Coles humorously reminiscing about how past events could have been manipulated by Trump’s desire for attention, citing a supposed heroic portrayal during the chaos of 9/11.

Wolff characterized Trump’s maneuvers as deeply intentional, stating, “This whole idea of a mini convention—he demanded this, he ordered this into place to upstage it.” According to him, Trump’s every action seems to be calculated as part of a broader strategy to ensure that he remains the focal point of national conversations.

With Trump’s strategies increasingly evident, Wolff’s insights provide a window not only into Trump’s psyche but also into how he might navigate his post-presidency years. As he attempts to stave off obscurity, the former president is leveraging every opportunity to assert his presence, albeit under the shadow of impending mortality.

This ongoing saga raises questions about the future of the Republican Party and Trump’s lasting impact on American politics. As he battles for attention and relevance, the implications of his actions extend far beyond the immediate spectacle of his events.

Ultimately, Trump’s quest to remain indispensable to the GOP will shape not only his own legacy but also the party’s direction in the years ahead, setting the stage for a contentious political landscape as the 2024 election approaches.