Trump’s Accountability Strategy: Blame Game in the White House

From his Oval Office desk, President **Harry S. Truman** displayed a sign reading, “The buck stops here!”, but is this willingness to accept accountability still present in the modern presidency, especially under **Donald Trump**?

Truman’s Legacy of Responsibility

President **Truman’s** famous phrase symbolized accountability and leadership, showing he embraced responsibility for decisions, even unsuccessful ones. The sign’s origin at the Federal Reformatory in El Reno, Oklahoma, added a moral dimension: everyone is accountable, especially the president.

Trump’s Pattern: Taking Credit, Shifting Blame

**Donald Trump** often claims individual credit for perceived successes, such as fixing global tariffs and NATO members contributing more financially. Yet, he quickly attributes any failures to others, positioning himself as “blindsided” by unpopular choices and pointing fingers at subordinates.

In fact, a recent study showed that 68% of Americans believe **Trump** frequently deflects blame, compared to 22% who think he accepts responsibility (Pew Research Center 2024).

Hegseth in the Hot Seat

A staunch **Trump** loyalist, defense secretary **Pete Hegseth**, has recently faced scrutiny for pausing missile shipments to Ukraine. This decision followed concerns among US defense officials about dwindling weapon stockpiles, necessitated by diverting arms to Israel amidst its conflict with Iran.

The Pentagon’s announcement on July 2 to halt certain weapons to Ukraine triggered global backlash, with **Hegseth** bearing the brunt of the blame.

Strategic Delegation and Image Management

Having loyalists like **Hegseth** in key roles could be strategic, allowing **Trump** to distance himself from controversial decisions. By publicly reversing actions initiated by subordinates, **Trump** can reassert his authority and maintain a positive image. Delegating authority to insiders serves as a buffer against political repercussions.

It’s a pattern of letting a subordinate initiate a controversial decision, then publicly stepping in to regain control, showcasing resolve, and avoiding direct fault.

The Psychology Behind Avoiding Accountability

Psychologically, externalizing failure while taking credit for success can foster resilience. However, this trait has limitations and a potentially darker aspect.

Individuals with high levels of narcissism often evade accountability because they believe they are superior to others, at least in key areas of life. As **Jean Twenge** and **W. Keith Campbell**, authors of The Narcissism Epidemic, note, “Narcissists think that they are smarter, better looking and more important than others, but not necessarily more moral, more caring or more compassionate.”

Narcissists may deflect blame to protect their self-esteem and self-image, refusing to admit fault due to threats to their grandiose self-perception.

People exhibiting Machiavellian traits, marked by manipulativeness and a lack of empathy, also tend to shift blame to serve their self-interests. Similarly, those with low conscientiousness are less likely to accept responsibility, blaming external factors or others for their mistakes.

Sycophants as Shields

It’s been suggested that **Trump** surrounds himself with loyal sycophants who publicly praise him to protect his ego, even when it seems excessive. These loyalists also serve as shields, absorbing blame when things go awry. They understand that, ultimately, the buck stops with them.