The second Trump administration has wasted no time demonstrating its singular focus: inflicting maximum pain, fear, and discouragement. From purging career government officials to alienating long-standing allies, from punishing the vulnerable to rewarding cruelty, this administration operates with a spirit that transcends policy shifts or bureaucratic restructuring. The guiding force behind these actions is not efficiency or reform, but rather something far more sinister: the calculated enjoyment of others’ suffering.
The Germans have a word for this: Schadenfreude, the perverse delight in another’s misfortune. The English language, not to be outdone, offers epicaricacy, an equally obscure but no less damning term. Different words, same malignant spirit. This spirit is not just morally corrupt; it is also bad for America, bad for business, bad for leadership, and bad for life.
The Poison of Pleasure in Others’ Pain
History and industry are littered with cautionary tales of leaders and businesses that reveled in destruction, only to find themselves undone by the very same forces they unleashed. Let’s examine three.
- Enron – A corporate empire built on deceit and manipulation, Enron’s leadership not only exploited employees and investors but seemed to relish the power they wielded over them. When the house of cards collapsed, thousands lost their savings, but the masterminds—who had scoffed at ethics—found themselves in prison cells, stripped of wealth and influence.
- Lehman Brothers – Their reckless lending and outright disdain for those warning of financial instability fueled the 2008 crisis. Leadership ignored ethics in favor of greed and, in doing so, orchestrated their own demise. The firm collapsed, sending shockwaves through the global economy, and the very architects of the debacle faced public disgrace.
- Bernie Madoff – The man behind the largest Ponzi scheme in history lived off the destruction of others, indifferent to the retirees and charities he devastated. While he luxuriated in others’ suffering, his empire crumbled, and he died in prison, abandoned, and reviled.
The pattern is clear: the pursuit of power or profit at the expense of others’ pain is an unsustainable strategy. Beyond the moral decay it breeds, it eventually leads to downfall, whether through legal consequences, economic collapse, or the erosion of trust.
Two Steps to Guard Against This Spirit
- Practice Empathy as a Business and Life Strategy
The best leaders—whether in politics, business, or community life—understand that success is not a zero-sum game. The rise of one does not require the fall of another. Cultivating empathy fosters strong teams, loyal customers, and resilient relationships. Treating people as disposable assets or relishing their failures ultimately undermines long-term success. - Surround Yourself with People Who Check You
Power unchecked is a dangerous thing. History’s most notorious leaders, from dictators to corrupt CEOs, surrounded themselves with enablers rather than truth-tellers. To stay grounded, one must embrace honest criticism and seek counsel from those who value integrity over flattery. Unfortunately, 47 is doing just the opposite—filling his inner circle with bootlickers who reinforce his worst instincts rather than challenge them. This creates an echo chamber of bad decision-making, devoid of accountability, where destructive impulses go unchecked. Leaders who fail to welcome dissent often meet the same fate: downfall and disgrace.
The spirit of Schadenfreude and epicaricacy is corrosive. It poisons individuals, businesses, and entire nations. We must resist it—not only because it is the right thing to do, but because, in the long run, it is the only path to true and lasting success.
