People online have been talking a lot about a recent meeting with Donald Trump and his team. In that meeting, Trump’s staff kept saying really nice things about him, praising him again and again. Some people said it felt fake and awkward, like everyone was trying too hard to impress him. They said it looked like something out of a movie where people are scared to speak honestly and just flatter the boss to stay on his good side.
At the meeting, which was about Trump’s first 100 days back in office, a few people stood out for how much they praised him. Vice President JD Vance said Trump is different from other presidents because he’s actually getting things done. He even talked about the pictures of former presidents in the Oval Office, saying most of them were just “placeholders,” while Trump was a man of action. Attorney General Pam Bondi said Trump had already done more in 100 days than any other president ever. Elon Musk, who advises Trump on government efficiency, said no other administration had ever achieved so much in such a short time.
But online, people didn’t respond well to all the compliments. Many said it was uncomfortable to watch. Some called the meeting “cringey.” Others pointed out that in most workplaces, it would be weird and even unhealthy if employees constantly praised their boss and never gave real feedback. One person said once you’ve seen that kind of meeting, where everyone is trying to outdo each other in praise, you can’t forget it. It just didn’t feel normal.
Workplace experts were asked about this kind of behavior. They said that while it’s okay to praise someone at work, especially when they do something well, too much praise—especially toward someone in power—can be a bad sign. Hallie Kritsas, a therapist who works with people on job stress and confidence, said praise can be useful, but it shouldn’t be all there is. When a boss is constantly praised and never hears honest feedback, the praise can start to feel fake or forced. It can make the whole environment feel tense or unsafe.
She also said that if people don’t feel comfortable sharing concerns or giving criticism, the leader won’t be able to grow or improve. If someone feels like they’ll be judged or left out just for speaking up, they’ll probably stop saying what’s really on their mind. That kind of silence can hurt the whole team.
Kritsas added that always giving compliments to a boss without any balance can feel inappropriate, especially because of the power difference between bosses and employees. Leaders should also give praise to their team members. It shouldn’t only go one way.
Krishna Powell, who helps companies improve how they treat workers, agreed. She said there’s nothing wrong with praising a manager or a leader when they deserve it. But if people are scared to say anything negative, or if someone is treated badly for offering honest feedback, that’s a red flag. In those places, people stop being creative or sharing new ideas. Instead, they just follow along and agree with everything the boss says. That’s called groupthink, and it can stop a company from moving forward or solving problems.
If someone feels like they can’t speak openly at work, Powell suggests writing down their concerns in a letter. She says to keep it short and clear, and send it anonymously to your boss or Human Resources. Then wait a couple of months to see if anything changes. She also recommends asking coworkers if anyone else has spoken up before and what happened when they did.
If things still feel unsafe after that, Hallie Kritsas says it might be time to think about finding a new job. You deserve to work somewhere you feel respected, where you can speak up without fear.
