The Opinions writers debate whether President Donald Trump's recent behavior reflects a loss of touch with reality. Michelle Cottle notes Trump's team has been spending extensive time on social media creating A.I.-generated images and videos of the president in self-aggrandizing scenarios, including Trump as the Green Lantern and beating Hulk Hogan in arm wrestling. She questions how Trump's connection to reality has evolved over time.

David French argues that Trump is simply becoming more of what he's always been, citing his grandmother's saying that older people don't change but become more of their established disposition. French observes that Trump is drawn to fake stories that puff him up as a great man, and this pattern is intensifying.

Michelle Goldberg suggests the behavior may not be significantly different from Trump's first term or four years ago. She notes the difficulty in maintaining appropriate shock, as people become inured to such actions over time, and that scandal expands to fit available space in coverage.