Regarding Matt Viser’s story on the softer side of Donald Trump (“The mouth that roars can also charm’’): Viser overlooked what is potentially a very important piece about Trump’s “charm.’’ Look up narcissism and charm on any academic psychology website. You will find research documenting that many, if not most, narcissists are very charming one-on-one, and an intelligent “narcissistic charmer’’ can be the most dangerous of all. It goes back to a deep-seated need to be in control, with charm a key method of manipulation.

A couple of interviews with well-respected psychology professionals, exploring the extreme contradiction between Trump’s public and private personas, might have unearthed one potential, and serious, explanation for readers and voters — and might have given Viser a wary eye to be used during future Trump interviews.

Diane Millikan

Candler, N.C.