Donald Trump is like no other world leader out there. Seriously, have you ever seen anyone grab attention and stir up controversy quite like him?
Before his presidency, his life was a wild rollercoaster—living life in the fast lane, wild financial highs and lows, over-the-top luxury, and nonstop drama. Then, as President, his bold policy changes and unapologetic candor only amplified his larger-than-life persona (whether that is a good or bad thing is yet to be seen)!
But what lies beneath the surface of this polarizing figure? Why does he never back down or hesitate to challenge a reporter? Why do his supporters love him so much?
To get to the heart of these questions, I dug deep into his personality using three key psychological frameworks: the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), the Enneagram, and the Big Five Personality Model.
Here's what I found:
- MBTI: Trump is likely an ESTP—a dynamic, risk-taking entrepreneur and politician who thrives on action and spontaneity. This explains his ability to build relationships quickly and make decisions on the fly.
- Enneagram: Trump is frequently seen as a Type 8—the Challenger with a touch of adventurousness. He's the kind of guy who doesn't sit on the sidelines when things heat up; he steps up, takes charge, and pushes back when challenged.
- Big Five Traits: Trump shows high extraversion, moderate openness and neuroticism, and low agreeableness and conscientiousness. These traits paint the picture of a bold, direct leader unafraid to disrupt the status quo—even if that means ruffling some feathers.
But don't just take all these at face value. Stick with me, and I'll break down each framework to see how they help explain the complex personality behind Trump's leadership style and online persona.
Ready? Let's get started!
Related: Donald Trump’s IQ? Unveiling the Mind Behind the Controversies
Donald Trump's MBTI Type: The Entrepreneur (ESTP)
While I might not be able to get President Trump in a room to take a Myers-Briggs Personality Test or any other personality tests, I can certainly piece together a couple of facts about him based on excerpts from his books, decisions, and interview responses.
Some people view Trump's public persona as one that reacts without carefully considering his words or actions, with subtle hints that he could trigger a nuclear button on a whim, lol.
But is there any substance to these conspiracy theories? Let's find out by getting down to brass tacks.
An ESTP thrives on action and lives in the moment. They're Extraverted (energized by people), Sensing (focused on the here and now), Thinking (logic-driven), and Perceiving (flexible and spontaneous).
Now, let's see how Trump lines up with each of these traits:
Extraverted - Trump as a Media Personality
As a renowned public figure, extraversion is arguably Trump's most prominent public persona. He's "out there" and "in your face" with every sense of his being. Whether he's at a rally firing thousands of supporters or sparring in a TV interview, he's in his element.
He's not the quiet, reflective type; he thinks out loud and feeds off the crowd's energy. No wonder he mostly does or says things that make the front pages of newspapers.
Trump's success on reality TV shows like "The Apprentice" also highlights his extroverted personality, as he captivated the audience with his charisma and assertiveness.
Sensing - A Practical Disposition
Despite his seemingly impulsive nature, Trump's success hints that he might not be an emotional decision-maker, especially when making business and policy decisions. He focuses on concrete details and experiences rather than abstract concepts.
For example, he employs a clear strategy for deal-making as described in his quote: "My style of deal-making is quite simple and straightforward. I aim very high, and I just keep pushing and pushing and pushing till I get what I'm after."
This statement reflects that his approach is well-grounded, practical, and direct. As such, Trump is more of a sensor who seizes the moment and becomes engulfed in the here and now. He makes work into play, learns by doing, and somewhat "fails forward."
Thinking - Analytical Intelligence
President Trump comes across as motivated to solve logical problems. He is firm-minded and often makes analytical and objective decisions.
For example, Trump demonstrated his logical decision-making and analytical approach to business in his book The Art of the Deal, stating, "The best thing you can do is deal from strength, and leverage is the biggest strength you can have."
This mindset aligns with the Thinking trait of relying on objectivity rather than emotions or personal biases. His ability to make well-thought-out, calculated decisions has helped him succeed in business and politics.
Perceiving - Spontaneity and Instinctiveness
While Trump loves staying grounded and focused on his objectives, he embraces flexibility and spontaneity instead of structure and planning. He highly values strong instincts and even rates it as one of the most important things young entrepreneurs need to succeed.
He once said, "You can take the smartest kid at Wharton, the one who gets straight A's and has a 170 IQ, and if he doesn't have the instincts, he'll never be a successful entrepreneur."
His alertness to taking opportunities when they arise demonstrates his flexibility, spontaneity, and ability to go with the flow.
Trump's decision to launch a presidential campaign in 2015, despite his lack of prior political experience, is a prime example of his perceptive nature. He capitalized on the political situation and his outsider status, adapting quickly to the demands of the race.
Donald Trump's Enneagram: Type 8 - The Challenger
Trump is a classic Enneagram Type 8, the Challenger with a 7 wing. That is, he's naturally assertive, confident, and ready to take on any challenge that comes his way.
He doesn't back down, whether tackling huge business deals, starring in wild reality TV shows, or making bold political moves. He never cowered in fear, even when he faced a $900 million debt or a tough electoral loss. He famously said, "Sometimes, by losing a battle, you find a new way to win the war."
Add a Type 7 wing into the mix, and Trump's personality becomes even more interesting. His 7 wing adds spontaneity, high energy, and a sociable flair.
So while his core as a Type 8 makes him relentless and confrontational, the influence of the 7 wing brings in a playful, risk-taking spirit that fuels his enthusiasm and charm.
It's that mix that makes him not only a tough, no-nonsense leader but also someone who thrives on excitement and always seems ready for the next big challenge. That same bold, direct energy shows up in how he navigates personal relationships—particularly with his wife, Melania Trump, whose own intelligence and composure have become the subject of growing public interest.
What are Donald Trump's Big Five Personality Traits?
While the MBTI categorizes personalities into distinct types, the Big Five Personality Model offers a spectrum-based view, revealing additional nuances in Trump's behavior.
This model measures five key traits: Extraversion, Openness, Conscientiousness, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism.
Let's see how Trump scores on each trait, supported by specific examples from his life and career.
Extraversion vs Introversion: Trump is Extraverted
Extraversion is all about loving to be around others, and there's no denying that Trump is the ultimate extrovert. He's super outgoing and never shies away from the spotlight—even tweeting his thoughts at all hours (he's one of my favorites on X).
Long before he entered the Oval Office, he was known for throwing lavish parties packed with top names. Given his unapologetic and carefree outlook, I can picture Trump as the life of any party.
Openness vs Closedness to New Experiences: Trump is Moderate
Openness measures a personality's willingness to step back from what they're comfortable or familiar with to try new things. While considering some of Trump's past and present actions and policies, I found categorizing him as open or closed difficult.
Walk with me.
As I mentioned earlier, someone who scores high on the openness scale is adventurous and willing to try new things. So, we could say that Trump fits the description just because of his television appearances.
After all, it's not every day you see a "billionaire" on Television cracking up the audience or taking someone down at Wrestle Mania.
Trump's forays into real estate, reality TV, wrestling, and politics show his appetite for a little bit of everything.
However, when we consider some of his rather conservative approaches to governance, I was compelled to think otherwise.
From his promises of bringing "back our jobs from China" to his decision to withdraw from international agreements like the Paris Climate Accord, there seems to be a tendency to return things to how they were rather than chart new courses.
Trump tends to exhibit relatively equal openness and closeness, placing him somewhat near the center of the spectrum.
Conscientiousness vs Spontaneity: Low Conscientiousness
Conscientiousness means planning ahead and sweating the details—think of someone obsessed with schedules. Low conscientiousness? That's spontaneity, acting on impulse, no script required.
Donald Trump fits the latter. He's a driven and restless dynamo who prefers spontaneity over structure.
His late-night tweets, incessant name-calling during the previous Presidential election debate against former President Joe Biden (like "Sleepy Joe"), and unfiltered interviews show he's all about the moment and not meticulous prep.
While some might point to his business success as proof of discipline and conscientiousness, his words and actions scream otherwise. Trump's the guy who charges in, not the one mapping every step.
Agreeableness vs Antagonism: Trump is Antagonistic
On the same premise, Donald Trump scores low on the agreeableness vs antagonism scale. Many people find him highly critical and quarrelsome. His multiple aggressive personal attacks on political opponents and even journalists corroborate this claim.
Trump has always been a vocal critic of the news media. There have been multiple reports of reporters being blocked from covering news events at the Oval Office, journalists being ousted from their workstations at the White House, and even full-blown investigations of some public media companies.
These drastic actions reflect Trump's willingness to take on any entity he considers an opposition.
Neuroticism vs Emotional Stability: Moderate Neuroticism
Viewing Trump's personality through the lens of neuroticism vs emotional stability gives us insight into how well he handles stress—whether by staying calm and resilient or getting swept up in anger and anxiety.
Now, while Trump often brands himself as "a stable genius" and credits his long-standing success to his steady temperament, a closer look suggests his emotional responses are more volatile than balanced.
When pressed about dealing with stress, he said he prefers not to think about it—"out of sight, out of mind"—and credits the role of his support network in keeping him in check.
Despite these claims, we can observe that Trump can be impulsive and prone to intense reactions. Notably, his response to the 2020 US election results suggests a tendency toward emotional reactivity under pressure.
Personality Psychology Verdict: Why Trump Supporters Love Him
Were you able to see some factors responsible for Trump's unerring confidence and brazen character? To say he has a big personality would be an understatement! Yet, at the same time, he is also mentally tough (the man literally took a bullet for his beliefs).
Trump's Myers Briggs Type explains why he's a successful businessman—quick on his feet, always seizing opportunities, and not afraid to take risks. His 8w7 Enneagram type reveals a natural Challenger who loves a good fight, and his Big Five traits show why he's so direct and unapologetically himself.
In short, his outgoing, no-nonsense approach resonates with supporters who value strength and decisiveness, while critics may see him as reckless or antagonistic.
The complementary nature of these personality traits has shaped his leadership style and online persona. A study in political psychology has further revealed that Donald Trump's Extraversion is one of the key factors fueling his relentless drive and public presence.
But here's where it gets interesting for you.
Beyond merely decoding Donald Trump's personality type, a few takeaways from Trump might boost your own life. Learn to do these:
- Build Resilience Like Trump: Embrace challenges head-on and learn from setbacks.
- Cultivate Emotional Stability: Work on keeping your cool even when things get heated.
- Channel His Boldness: Don't be afraid to speak up and take risks.
- Make Challenges Exciting: See obstacles as opportunities to innovate.
- Discover Your Own Strengths: Reflect on what fuels your confidence, decisions, and ambitions.
How does it feel to know why the US president acts the way he does?
Now, imagine what you could unlock about yourself by taking a personality assessment today. Set yourself up on an endless journey of self-discovery!
