Donald Trump is currently facing 34 criminal charges related to hush money payments made by his former lawyer Michael Cohen to adult film star Stormy Daniels in an effort to prevent her from speaking about their alleged extramarital affair from 2006. Prosecutors are alleging that Trump falsified business records to hide reimbursements to Cohen, but the former president has denied all the charges. Recent testimony during the trial has brought back some of Trump’s past statements on sexual attraction, including a quote from his 2004 book “Trump: How to Get Rich” where he claimed that a sexual dynamic is always present between people, unless one is asexual.
Sex experts have weighed in on Trump’s assertion, with psychologist and sex therapist Laurie Mintz stating that the idea that a sexual dynamic is always present between people is false. She referred to research indicating that attraction is a complex interplay of biology, psychology, and cultural norms. Mintz also highlighted variables that can influence sexual attraction, such as mood, physical attractiveness, proximity, similarity, and levels of neurotransmitters like dopamine and oxytocin. Clinical sexologist Lawrence Siegel added that situational and environmental factors can also impact sexual attraction, with familiarity and timing playing a role.
While people may believe they have a clear idea of what they are looking for in a potential partner, their actual attractions may diverge from these ideals due to factors like physiological arousal, mood, or environmental cues. Siegel emphasized that people are capable of putting aside feelings of attraction when necessary and that initial feelings of attraction do not always lead to action. Trump’s claim that flirting always implies sexual interest was also challenged, as flirting can serve various purposes such as having fun, boosting self-esteem, or building a romantic bond. Research has shown that people are not always accurate in perceiving flirting, with many instances going unnoticed.
In light of Trump’s statement, experts have suggested that his belief in a universal sexual interest in him may stem from a narcissistic mindset rather than an accurate portrayal of human interaction. Trump’s history of making controversial remarks on sexuality and attraction has sparked backlash and skepticism from experts in the field. Ultimately, the trial has shed light on the complexities of sexual attraction and the disconnect between individuals’ beliefs about attraction and the reality of human interaction. The case continues to provoke debate around Trump’s character and his views on sexuality in the public sphere.
