At the end of 2017, one year into the Trump presidency, the familiar begins to escape us.
The Autocrat's Language
"Using words to lie destroys language. Using words to cover up lies, however subtly, destroys language. Validating incomprehensible drivel with polite reaction also destroys language. This isn’t merely a question of the prestige of the writing art or the credibility of the journalistic trade: it is about the basic survival of the public sphere.
In Russia, first they came for the words of politics, value, and passion. Then they came for the words of action, the words that describe buildings, the numbers that denote dates. And then there were no words left to speak. Not that this is a Russian phenomenon.
Here is what Confucius had to say on the topic:
If language is not correct, then what is said is not what is meant; if what is said is not what is meant, then what must be done remains undone; if this remains undone, morals and art will deteriorate; if justice goes astray, the people will stand about in helpless confusion. Hence there must be no arbitrariness in what is said. This matters above everything."
-- Masha Gessen, The Autocrat's Language, NYRDaily
What Donald Trump Says
- Facebook posts - Dr. Mehmet Oz did not say singer Adele used a ‘coffee trick’ to lose weight April 26, 2024Dr. Mehmet Oz said singer Adele used a “coffee trick” to lose weight.
- Megyn Kelly - Fact-checking claim that a Utah Middle school allows students to be ‘terrorized’ by ‘furries’ April 26, 2024“School allows students to be terrorized by colleagues who identify as ‘furries’”
- Facebook posts - Debt relief offer is from private UK company, not US government program April 26, 2024"The administration (has) passed a new bill to help Americans with $15,000+ in credit card debt to write off their balance by 50%."
- Here’s how new Title IX regulations could affect LGBTQ+ students April 26, 2024New Title IX regulations that expand protections for LGBTQ+ students are causing a stir as some states refuse to “comply.” Why were these changes made and what could the fallout be? Read more at PolitiFact.
- Sean Hannity - No, President Biden was not ignored by people at a Pittsburgh-area gas station April 26, 2024President Joe Biden was “ignored by virtually everyone” at a Pittsburgh-area gas station.
- Threads posts - No, CNN didn’t report that ‘Trump soils himself in court.’ This headline is fabricated April 26, 2024CNN reported “Trump soils himself in court.”
- Robert F. Kennedy Jr. - Was last year's US job growth all from part-time jobs? Why RFK Jr.’s claim is Half True April 26, 2024"The much-trumpeted job growth in the last year was ENTIRELY part-time jobs."
- Facebook posts - No, this photo doesn’t show Hillary Clinton posing with an anti-Donald Trump T-shirt April 26, 2024Photo shows Hillary Clinton holding an anti-Donald Trump T-shirt.
- Facebook posts - Deepfake video falsely pitches dietary supplement as diabetes remedy April 26, 2024Video shows Tucker Carlson discussing a diabetes cure created with Pfizer and certified by the FDA.
- Viral image - No, Lauren Boebert didn’t imply she’s committed a crime in an X post April 26, 2024Lauren Boebert posted, “If they charge President Trump for his crimes, they could charge any of us for our crimes. The rule of law means nothing to these people.”
- Kelly Daughtry - Kelly Daughtry falsely accuses Brad Knott of working as ‘Biden's lawyer’ April 25, 2024“Brad Knott was a lawyer for Joe Biden.”
- Facebook posts - Altered video appears to show Megyn Kelly promoting “exotic coffee method” for weight loss April 25, 2024Megyn Kelly promoted the “exotic coffee method” for weight loss on “Megyn Kelly Today.”
- Facebook posts - Altered video shows Dr. Oz promoting a coffee weight loss supplement April 25, 2024Dr. Mehmet Oz promoted a weight loss supplement that can be added to coffee.
- Facebook posts - No, this photo doesn’t show Barack Obama wearing an anti-Trump T-shirt April 25, 2024Photo shows former President Barack Obama wearing an anti-Donald Trump T-shirt.
- Social Media - Columbia not all remote, offers students hybrid learning amid Israel-Hamas war protests April 25, 2024“Columbia University announced classes will be remote for the remainder of the school year.”
- TikTok posts - Israel did not ‘accidentally vote for Palestine’ at a United Nations meeting April 24, 2024Israel “accidentally voted (for) Palestine” at a United Nations Security Council meeting.
- Viral image - Old altered photo of Stormy Daniels doesn’t show her arriving at Trump’s Manhattan criminal trial April 24, 2024Photo shows Stormy Daniels wearing a mushroom-patterned dress to court April 22.
- Facebook posts - Have there been mass store closures under President Biden? Here are the facts. April 24, 2024Dollar Tree, Walgreens, Macy’s, Foot Locker, Gap, Burger King, Regal Cinemas and Kroger have had mass store closures during Joe Biden’s presidency.
- Facebook posts - Reba McEntire isn’t facing any ‘charges,’ despite claims in social media posts April 24, 2024“Reba McEntire faces serious charges.”
- Facebook posts - Hunter Biden was indicted twice. A claim that he and others have escaped criminal charges is wrong. April 24, 2024Hunter Biden, “BLM rioters” and “COVID criminals” have “0 indictments”