Former President Donald Trump always exceeds expectations — and not in a good sense. In his debate with Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump once again repeated evident falsehoods and threw in a number of new ones.
An initial count by Daniel Dale, CNN’s fact-checker, indicated Trump made 33 false claims during the debate. According to Dale’s evaluation, Harris made a single statement that was untrue.
Whenever I point out Trump’s disregard for truth, his supporters generally respond: “All politicians lie.” They often follow up with: “That’s just Trump being Trump.” End of discussion.
Prior to Trump, the claim “all politicians lie” was not too far removed from “all humans lie.” The claim meant: Although politicians generally speak truthfully in order to maintain their credibility, they sometimes lie — and some of their lies are whoppers.
Politicians have lied for national security reasons or to protect themselves from personal scandal. The vast majority, however, are not superspreaders of falsehoods. Their lies do not weaken confidence in the justice system; undermine investigative and intelligence agencies; and divide Americans into hostile camps.
“Donald Trump lies” means something far different. Trump spews more falsehoods than any other major politician I can recall. Moreover, Trump never seems the least perturbed when he is caught out in a lie. Instead he remains utterly shameless in his disregard for the truth. His indifference to the degradation of institutions and threats to individuals that result from his lies is staggering.
Whatever will Trump do when speaking truthfully is required to establish bonds of trust with U.S. leaders, world leaders, and the majority of Americans?
Andrew Bjelland, Salt Lake City