How Trump turned the truth into a matter of perspective
Trump’s presidency ushered in an era where the concept of truth has become pliable. This phenomenon was officially kickstarted by the now-infamous phrase “alternative facts,” uttered by then-White House counselor Kellyanne Conway in 2017. When questioned about the size of Trump’s inauguration crowd, despite photographic evidence to the contrary, Conway reframed the discussion, suggesting that their assertions were not false but simply a different version of the facts or "alternative facts".
Trump’s approach to the truth has been a continuous stream of claims that fly in the face of well established facts. Whether declaring the 2020 election "stolen" despite more than 50 court rulings rejecting fraud allegations, or promoting debunked theories about COVID-19, Trump has repeatedly demonstrated how the concept of truth can be weaponized. His technique is straightforward: repetition and confidence. Trump’s ability to “flood the zone” with misinformation keeps his supporters engaged, while critics struggle to keep pace with fact-checking.
Psychologists call this "confirmation bias,” where people selectively accept information that aligns with their pre-existing beliefs. Trump masterly harnessed this unique ability by framing the media as “the enemy of the people,” dismissing negative reports as “fake news.” For many of his followers, any "factual accuracy" of what is coming out of Trump's mouth on a daily basis has become secondary to their loyalty.
Politico, "Trump's Misinformation Strategy" The Washington Post, "Analysis of Trump’s False Statements" Journal of Communication, "Polarization and Truth in American Politics" The Atlantic, "The Media and Trump's Reality War" NPR, "How Disinformation Fueled the Capitol Riot"