CSotD: The Wide World of Whatever
Ann Telnaes provokes a response of “Well, yes, but no …” I think I’m done wondering whether Trump is a deliberate liar or truly believes the preposterous nonsense he says. In the past, I have compared him to OJ Simpson and Jeffrey MacDonald, both of whom denied murders they clearly committed.
I believe they were sincere, having convinced themselves of an alternative reality that was more bearable. I’m not qualified to psychoanalyze the President, but while I find it hard to believe he truly thinks he graduated from Wharton with honors, or first in his class, I can accept that he might believe refugees seeking “asylum” were previously confined to mental hospitals. I'm also neutral on his understanding of who pays tariffs.
What matters less to me is whether he thinks a test for early dementia signs is an intelligence test. I have seen the video of him appearing confused in Japan, and I’m more concerned — as others have noted — that reporters who criticized President Biden for being old and confused seem to be ignoring signs of the President’s declining mental state.
“To accuse him of deliberate lies assumes he can tell fact from fiction.”
Considering this, the debate over intentional deceit versus genuine belief remains complex.
Author’s summary: The piece reflects on whether the President knowingly lies or is deluded, highlighting a media double standard in addressing mental fitness.
Would you like the tone to be more formal or conversational?