I 
119TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 3432 
To direct the Director of the National Institutes of Health to conduct or 
support research to advance the understanding of Trump Derangement 
Syndrome, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MAY 15, 2025 
Mr. DAVIDSON (for himself and Mr. MOORE of Alabama) introduced the 
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce 
A BILL 
To direct the Director of the National Institutes of Health 
to conduct or support research to advance the under-
standing of Trump Derangement Syndrome, and for 
other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Trump Derangement 
Syndrome Research Act of 2025’’ or the ‘‘TDS Research 
Act of 2025’’. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
Congress finds the following: 
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(1) Trump Derangement Syndrome has been 
described as a behavioral or psychological phe-
nomenon involving intense emotional or cognitive re-
actions to Donald J. Trump, his actions, or his pub-
lic presence, with early documented references 
emerging during his 2016 presidential campaign. 
(2) Notable early instances of TDS include cer-
tain media coverage amplifying polarized responses 
to Donald J. Trump’s campaign rhetoric, which 
some observers cite as initial signs of TDS, though 
precise origins remain understudied. 
(3) Recurrent, selective reporting by media out-
lets, emphasizing aspects of Donald J. Trump’s ac-
tions or statements while omitting broader context, 
has been alleged to contribute to TDS by inten-
sifying polarized public reactions and deepening soci-
etal division. 
(4) Frequent amplification of unverified or 
anonymously sourced claims about Donald J. 
Trump’s conduct has further fueled TDS, driving 
significant public outrage and contributing to height-
ened emotional responses among individuals and 
groups. 
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(5) The following two confirmed assassination 
attempts against Donald J. Trump occurred in 
2024: 
(A) On July 13, 2024, at a campaign rally 
in Butler, Pennsylvania, a shooter wounded 
Donald J. Trump’s ear, killed one attendee, and 
injured two others. 
(B) On September 15, 2024, at the Trump 
International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, 
Florida, a suspect was apprehended with a rifle 
and the incident was investigated as an assas-
sination attempt. 
(6) Understanding TDS may contribute to 
broader insights into political polarization, media in-
fluence, and psychological responses to public fig-
ures, with implications for public health and social 
cohesion. 
(7) The National Institutes of Health, through 
its existing programs, is well-positioned to study the 
psychological and social factors underlying TDS, in-
cluding its origins, media influences, and potential 
links to extreme behaviors, to inform public health 
strategies. 
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SEC. 3. NIH RESEARCH ON TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYN-
DROME WITHIN EXISTING PROGRAMS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Director of the National In-
stitutes of Health, through the existing programs and au-
thorities of the National Institute of Mental Health and 
other relevant institutes and centers, shall conduct or sup-
port research to advance the understanding of Trump De-
rangement Syndrome, including its origins, manifesta-
tions, and long-term effects. 
(b) RESEARCH OBJECTIVES.—The research con-
ducted under subsection (a) shall include— 
(1) efforts to identify the initial emergence or 
earliest documented cases (commonly referred to as 
‘‘patient zero’’ or index cases) of TDS, including his-
torical and social analyses to trace the onset of 
TDS; 
(2) investigation of the long-term psychological, 
social, or behavioral impacts of TDS on affected in-
dividuals, communities, or public discourse; 
(3) analysis of contributing factors, such as 
media exposure, political polarization, or social dy-
namics, to the development or spread of TDS; and 
(4) exploration of potential interventions, cop-
ing mechanisms, or strategies to mitigate adverse ef-
fects of TDS, as applicable. 
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(c) COLLABORATION.—The Director shall collaborate 
with the heads of other Federal agencies, academic institu-
tions, and relevant organizations, as appropriate, to 
achieve the objectives described in subsection (b). 
(d) ANNUAL REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 
2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, and annu-
ally thereafter, the Director shall submit to the Committee 
on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate 
and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the 
House of Representatives a report on— 
(1) the progress of research conducted under 
this section; 
(2) any findings related to the initial emergence 
or long-term effects of TDS; and 
(3) recommendations for further research or 
public health actions. 
SEC. 4. DEFINITION. 
In this Act, the term ‘‘Trump Derangement Syn-
drome’’ or ‘‘TDS’’ refers to a behavioral or psychological 
phenomenon characterized by intense emotional or cog-
nitive reactions to Donald J. Trump, his actions, or his 
public presence, as observed in individuals or groups. 
Æ 
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