One way to test authenticity is when you read something that corresponds to deep, recurrent, and observable behavioral patterns that are otherwise difficult to explain. I have no way of verifying the theories and motivations that Tony Schwartz ascribes to Trump in the Washington Post article linked below, but I'll say this: Even though the author's primary interactions (with one important and notable recent) took place over 30 years ago when he helped pen "Art of the Deal," the patterns Schwartz describe ring fundamentally true based on what I and others have observed in Trump the candidate and Trump the President. The sad part is that enough people either didn't perceive what so many of us did, or worse yet, found the traits described here attractive and empowering, as if somehow vicariously empowering themselves.
Comments welcome.