Once upon a time, in the world of politics, there was a man named Donald Trump. He had a knack for stirring up controversy and chaos wherever he went. Some people thought he was just plain mad, both angry and unpredictable. But as it turns out, there might have been some method to his madness.

You see, Trump believed in something called the “madman theory.” It’s not as crazy as it sounds—well, maybe just a little bit. The idea behind this theory is that by appearing erratic and unhinged, a leader can actually gain an upper hand in negotiations with other countries. It’s like playing poker with your cards facing outward; your opponents don’t know what to expect.

“There’s a certain unpredictability about Trump that’s great.”

Back in 2016 when Trump first ran for president, he made it clear that he wasn’t going to be your typical commander-in-chief. He wanted to shake things up, break the mold. And part of his strategy was embracing this whole “madman” persona. He wanted the world to see him as someone who could do anything—someone you wouldn’t want to mess with.

Richard Nixon, another U.S. president known for his unconventional tactics, also dabbled in the madman theory. He wanted his enemies to believe he was capable of extreme actions—even using nuclear weapons—to get what he wanted. It was all about keeping them on their toes.

“Most foreign leaders are now intimately familiar with Trump’s playbook.”

But here’s the twist: being a so-called madman doesn’t always guarantee success. In fact, many experts were skeptical about whether this strategy could really work in the long run. Nixon himself didn’t exactly win any trophies using his madman tactics.

However, recent research has shown that under certain conditions, acting like a madman might just give you an edge at the negotiating table. It all depends on how you play your cards—or rollercoaster segments if you’re talking about Trump.

Trump certainly made waves during his first term by taunting North Korea and shaking up trade agreements left and right. Some may argue that his bold moves actually paid off—with minor concessions here and there—but others saw it as more bluster than substance.

“Acting like a madman might make…the first kind of commitment more plausible.”

As time went on, though, it became clear that not everyone was buying into Trump’s act anymore. Foreign leaders caught on to his game; they knew when he was bluffing and when he meant business. And that’s where the whole madman theory starts to fall apart—it only works if people believe you’re truly capable of doing what you say.

Now, as Trump gears up for potentially another term in office (yes, really), some wonder if he’ll double down on his madman approach or try something new altogether. Will lightning strike twice? Or will this rollercoaster ride come crashing down?

In the end, whether madness is truly genius remains to be seen—but one thing’s for sure: politics has never been crazier!