When a narcissist goes silent after a smear campaign against their previous victim fails, it's not necessarily because they have forgotten about the previous victim. Instead, several factors could be at play:
Loss of interest: Narcissists often lose interest in a previous victim once they no longer serve a purpose in their lives. If the smear campaign failed to elicit the desired reaction or control, the narcissist might decide to move on to other sources of supply.
Seeking new supply: Narcissists are perpetually seeking new sources of admiration, validation, and attention. If they have found a new target or "supply," they may divert their focus and energy toward that person.
Avoiding confrontation or accountability: When a smear campaign fails, the narcissist may go silent to avoid facing consequences or accountability for their actions. Engaging in further communication could lead to exposure or damage their reputation further.
Rebuilding the image: After a failed smear campaign, the narcissist may take a step back to recalibrate their tactics and rebuild their image in the eyes of others. They might be strategizing their next move rather than genuinely forgetting their previous victim.
Temporary silence: The silence might be temporary, and the narcissist could reappear later with renewed efforts or under different circumstances.
Lack of emotional attachment: Narcissists have shallow emotional attachments to others. Once they lose interest or find a new source of supply, they can easily disengage from a previous victim without feeling any remorse or emotional connection.
Triangulation: In some cases, the narcissist might be using the silent treatment as a form of triangulation. They might want the previous victim to observe the new relationship or supply, making them feel jealous, insecure, or discarded.
It's essential to remember that narcissistic behavior is complex and varies from one individual to another. Going silent does not necessarily mean they have forgotten their previous victim; rather, it might be part of their manipulative and control tactics or a result of their ever-shifting focus on obtaining new supply.
If you are the previous victim or know someone who has been targeted by a narcissist's smear campaign, it's essential to seek support, validate your experiences, and establish strong boundaries to protect yourself from further harm. Professional counseling or therapy can be beneficial in processing the emotional impact of dealing with a narcissist.