By John Bossange
Over time, successful politicians of all parties have usually mastered the art of embellishing and exaggerating the truth or a falsehood. Slick politicians, especially those with backgrounds as trained lawyers, also understand how to be nimble, quick on their feet, capable of giving misleading and vague responses leaving a listener wondering if they even heard the question.
Occasionally a politician will tell an outright lie. However, that lie is usually told only once because history has proven that if repeated again, over time the lie will catch up to them and their credibility to tell the truth will prevent their re-election. For that reason, politicians have quickly veered away from a lie and moved the conversation to other important issues, hoping their mistake will be forgotten over time. As citizens we conduct ourselves similarly because we know our relationships and friendships will not last if we constantly lie.
Our political landscape changed when Kellyanne Conway publicly introduced the term “alternative facts” when defending MAGA candidate Donald Trump’s now famous term ”fake news.” Lies are now repeated time and time again under the cover of “alternative facts.” Even when challenged by scientists, economists, lawyers, judges, medical professionals, governors, members of the House of Representatives and the Senate, world leaders, and our allies, time honored and proven truths are still denied, creating MAGAs own version of fake news.
Nothing illustrated their fake news more than the lies told by Mr. Trump and Mr. Vance during the recent two televised debates. Certainly Ms. Harris and Mr. Walz both did their share of embellishing some truths and falsehoods and exaggerating answers. But very seldom did they lie, and when they did, they did not repeat it. Instead they tried to correct themselves on stage or in conversation after the debate.
The lies told by Mr. Trump and recently by Mr. Vance have been repeated for years and have now become the foundation of the MAGA Party campaign platform. These lies are “alternative facts” creating ”fake news” of quotes spoken from the debate.
Fake News created by Mr. Trump:
“Every poll had us up 90, 92, 87, and one 92-6 %.”
“Haitian immigrants are taking over Springfield, Ohio.”
“The Governor of Colorado said Venezuelans are attacking his state.”
“Harris is a Marist, communist, fascist person.”
“Kamala supports performing sex changes on minors without parental consent.”
“China is building an auto plant in Mexico with Biden’s permission.”
“You know, the jobs, almost every one of them was taken by a migrant worker.”
“Biden signed a law for an abortion at the ninth month, and execution after birth.”
“They are going to take away your guns.”
“Crime is up massively.”
“Illegal aliens are coming from jails, mental institutions and insane asylums.”
Fake News created by Mr. Vance:
“We are the cleanest economy in the world.”
“I never supported a national ban on abortions.”
“Donald Trump peacefully gave over power on January 20th”
“Doctors are under no obligation to provide care to a baby surviving an abortion.”
“Donald Trump could have destroyed OBamacare (ACA), but he worked to save it.”
“25 million illegal aliens are taking homes from Americans, driving up home prices.”
“Just for an argument, let’s say that carbon emission are driving climate change.”
The MAGA party has discovered that over time, the repetition of lies works. Unlike political campaigns from our nation’s past where the truth held America together, the MAGA universe has tapped into the ease of blaming others for our nation’s ongoing challenges and looking for excuses not to accept our collective shortcomings. Lying has united the Party using its own versions of fake news creating an alternative universe. Lies about jobs, inflation, tax cuts, tariffs, the national debt, Ukraine, immigration, the climate crisis, and crime have solidified the MAGA base but have polarized the nation. Never before has lying worked so well for a presidential or a vice-presidential candidate.
For those who believe Mr. Trump and Mr. Vance have their best interests in mind and offer a pathway to a better life, don’t fall for that ruse. Mr. Trump has a long history of caring only for himself as documented by the hundreds who have worked for him in the private sector and dozens in the White House. He will lie and create whatever fake news it takes to protect his personal financial interests. Apparently Mr. Vance has accepted that type of fake news as well, although so far he has been more skillful covering his positions with slick, lawyerly language.
Kellyanne Conway’s announcement of “alternative facts” helped give birth to the MAGA party and to the world of conspiracy-based cults, now at the core of the Party. America deserves better. Let’s hope that enough Patriotic Americans can see the MAGA Party for what it really is: an alternative world of lies creating its own fake news designed to benefit a small circle of Mr. Trump’s wealthy friends and family members.
The Author is a retired South Burlington educator