Trump responds to constraint the same way every time. When courts rule against him, they are corrupt. When institutions slow him down, they are illegitimate. When facts contradict him, they are dismissed outright. This is not volatility so much as repetition. Conflict keeps him at the center of attention. Escalation keeps him relevant. This is not the conduct of a disciplined leader. It is the behavior of someone who reacts predictably to limits, praise, and perceived slights, and who can therefore be steered by anyone willing to indulge those instincts. That vulnerability has been visible for years.