"This constant lying is not aimed at making the people believe a lie, but at ensuring that no one believes anything anymore.
A people that can no longer distinguish between truth and lies cannot distinguish between right and wrong. And such a people, deprived of the power to think and judge, is, without knowing and willing it, completely subjected to the rule of lies.
With such a people, you can do whatever you want.”
—Hannah Arendt, German historian and philosopher (1906–1975)
Ever since Donald Trump decided to enter the political realm, Americans have had to endure his barrage of lies, misinformation, conspiracy theories, and deceit. If he opens his mouth, a lie falls out. I believe to my core, that the above quote is exactly what his intent has been all along. Those still caught in his web of deception; some, I consider to be victims. And then there are politicians, special interests, people with agendas (think Project 2025), judges, etc. enabling him, who know better.
Trump's steady stream of chaos has desensitized Americans to the point that he can insult our fallen soldiers by calling them "suckers and losers," he can express admiration for authoritarians and dictators like Putin and Orban, be convicted of 34 felonies, be convicted of sexual assault, file bankruptcy six times, be impeached twice, incite an insurrection, continue to peddle a lie about the 2020 presidential election being stolen, vilify certain groups in our society, intimidate poll workers, (the list is endless), ... and yet, some people will still support him.
That there are so many still clinging to him like leeches, is truly pathetic and sad. It is also a domestic threat, that these citizens cannot see through the deception and deceit that is, Donald J. Trump. To even consider giving this known liar, the powers of the presidency is utter madness. He will put his own interest ahead of that of the country's, every single time, if it benefits him. He detests the rule of law and will take a sledgehammer to our democracy and to our government, if elected, using Project 2025 as the manual.
Brave defectors of this cult, like republicans, Adam Kinsinger and Liz Chaney and many military leaders are telling us to beware of this cloaked danger and they are true patriots. But many voters right here in Mississippi will refuse to listen and still vote for this liar.
If ever the saying, "fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice shame on me" applies to a situation, it surely applies to the upcoming presidential election. Trump fooled us in 2016 because we really didn't know him. America spurned him in 2020 and he's been lying about it ever since. And with even more lies, vengeance, and vitriol; he's been showing us more of what and who he is ever since. If the majority of voters fall for his lies and deceit again, America will have no one to blame but herself. And fall, she will. This is exactly how democracies tumble and authoritarians come into power.
Regardless of how the presidential election turns out, we must turn our backs on all this lying and deceit again once and for all and begin to believe in each other and our precious democracy again.
Let's flush Trump and all of his lies and deceit down the toilet of history on Tuesday, November 5th.
Camille Wright is a Northsider.
