Character assassination is a form of bullying because it is a deliberate attempt to destroy someone’s credibility and reputation. In psychology, character assassination begins when the bully is shamed, feels inferior, threatened, or is an insecure, narcissistic personality type. Character assassination involves triangulation instead of direct communication, gossiping, misuse of power and authority, manipulation of the truth, deceit, groupthink, double-speak, spreading of rumors, unhealthy egotism, and narcissism are used to defame and cast doubt on someone’s morals and integrity.

Dr. Debra Stewart