The lie as the only option to create a new truth

During a visit to Georgia Trump criticized the federal government's response to Hurricane Helene. He praised Governor Brian Kemp but said Kemp was struggling to reach President Biden. "They're having a hard time getting the president on the phone.". A lie: just hours earlier, Kemp told reporters that Biden had called him the day before to offer additional support for Georgia.???????

Now that we are getting closer to U.S. election day, the fact-free political rhetoric of Donald Trump becomes more intense. I decided to make a deep dive into Trump’s relationship with the truth.

The Big Lie

Lies are part of Trump’s campaign strategy. Sometimes the lie is the only option to create a new truth. Lies, misinformation and ‘’alternative facts’’ are Trump’s tools to reshape public perception and create a new version of reality that serves his goals. A key political strategy tied to this concept is known as the "Big Lie". ?The big lie is a propaganda technique originally coined by Adolf Hitler, who says, “The great masses of?the people… will more easily fall victim to a big lie than to a small one,” As a general rule, the most effective?big lies?are outrageous enough to be unbelievable yet appeal strongly to the prejudices of the listeners and are stated in as bland and matter-of-fact terms as possible. It is sometimes even more effective to string several big lies together in a series of talking points.

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Trump’s personality based on lies.

Donald Trump’s (political) career have been characterized by a controversial relationship with the truth. From his early campaign days to his time in office, Trump has been accused of spreading falsehoods and manipulating facts. During his previous presidency, Trump made 30,573?false or misleading claims. With little more than one month until the U.S. elections, I decided to make a deep dive into Trump’s relationship with the truth.

The role of narcissism in Trump's relationship with the truth

One of the key elements that seems to explain Trump's approach to truth and lying is, according to Immelman, his narcissistic personality. Narcissists tend to manipulate truth to align with their self-image, often engaging in what is termed "self-serving deception."

Trump's public persona and self-aggrandizement often involve exaggeration, falsehoods, or outright denial of facts that do not suit his narrative. If the truth threatens Trump's self-perception or public image, his extreme narcissism—characterized by grandiosity and a constant need for admiration—can lead to a disregard for it. This tendency to reshape reality to fit personal beliefs or self-image aligns with clinical descriptions of narcissistic personality disorder, where individuals demonstrate a “grandiose sense of self-importance” and an ability to manipulate facts to maintain this inflated view of themselves.

Lying as a tool of power and control

Trump’s lying also intersects with his authoritarian leadership style, where controlling the narrative is essential for maintaining power. Trump’s leadership shares similarities with authoritarian mob bosses, where lying and deception are tools used to consolidate control and suppress dissent. His frequent attacks on the media, labeling them as "fake news," are part of a broader strategy to discredit opposing voices and assert control over the public narrative. By consistently presenting himself as the only reliable source of truth, Trump reinforces his dominance and authority, a common tactic used by authoritarian leaders to manipulate public perception and maintain power.

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This manipulation of truth extends beyond his public persona into his policy decisions. Trump’s leadership style is marked by impulsivity and a tendency to "shade the truth," particularly when confronted with political or legal challenges. For instance, his approach to the COVID-19 pandemic, where he repeatedly downplayed the severity of the virus despite overwhelming evidence, reflected a strategic use of misinformation to protect his political standing. His lies about the pandemic were designed to reassure his supporters, downplay the risks, and maintain an image of control even when faced with mounting evidence to the contrary.

The consequences of Trump's relationship with the truth

The consequences of Trump's relationship with the truth are beyond his personal image and political power. On January 6, 2021, during the "Save America" rally, Trump encouraged his supporters to march to the Capitol because the elections were ‘’rigged’’. That day, democracy was literally under attack, fuelled by a lie. ?The congressional committee investigating the attack on the US Capitol accused Trump of a “multi-part conspiracy” that aimed to undermine democracy and obstruct the will of the people.

It is hard to predict what will happen if Trump wins on November 5th, but if you want a sneak peek, read this excellent article, ‘’Inside the Trump Plan for 2025’’.

And what if Trump loses? Expect a 2020 post-election replay with a lot of lies. Trump will launch accusations of a corrupt, stolen election, cheating and rigged voting machines. Resulting in legal challenges and democratic unrest. ?