From Mother Jones · David Corn · · 1m 10s
Trump’s Disinformation Test
Trump’s campaign lies reveal if democracy can withstand his disinformation tactics.
In brief
Trump’s campaign lies reveal if democracy can withstand his disinformation tactics. Trump’s disinformation operation tests whether the American political system can resist his lies and corruption. Originally reported by Mother Jones.
Trump’s Rally Claim
Trump claimed Washington, DC turned from crime to safety after his presidency.
“Nobody wanted to eat out. They were afraid. Even if you were in the restaurant, people would walk in and, like the Wild West, hold it up!”
The Lie
This claim is false; DC residents were not afraid to go out to dinner before Trump’s National Guard deployment.
“It’s crazy.”
Trump’s Lying Pattern
Trump lies automatically, with 30,573 false statements during his first White House term.
“For Trump, lying is like breathing. It never stops.”
Historical Context
In 1988, George H.W. Bush’s campaign accused Bob Dole of being wishy-washy on tax policy.
“Yeah, stop lying about my record.”
Current Disinformation
Trump’s GOP campaign is a disinformation operation with extreme falsehoods.
“The GOP’s midterm effort that he’s leading, like his past presidential campaigns, is foremost a disinformation operation.”
Inflation Claims
Trump claims US inflation dropped to 1.8 percent after inheriting 23.7 percent in 1920.
“The worst inflation in US history was 23.7 percent in 1920, and it was 3.0 percent when Trump returned to the White House last year.”
Transgender Lies
Trump claims schools perform gender transition operations on children without parental knowledge.
“We got critical race theory and transgender mutilization insanity out of our schools.”
Elon Musk’s Role
Musk spent $200 million attacking Talarico and supporting Paxton in Texas.
“Talarico will vote to take away your children and transition them.”
False Claims
Trump calls Democrats 'communists' and claims Biden allowed 25 million people to 'pour across borders'.
“President Joe Biden allowed 25 million people to 'pour across the borders,' including drug dealers, rapists, and 11,888 murderers.”
The Test
This election tests whether democracy can resist Trump’s disinformation tactics.
“This election will tell us whether democratic backsliding will be reversed...”
The headline
Trump’s disinformation operation tests whether the American political system can resist his lies and corruption.
