The Dangers of Leadership Built on Deception and Extremism

The Biggest Lies of Trump’s Presidency
President Trump reportedly told more than 30,000 lies while in office — these were some of the biggest.

Trump ADMITS he lies about policies, "I DON'T CARE"
Donald Trump admits that he lies about his policies and will say anything

Lawrence: Reporters must ask Trump ‘what good things did Hitler do?’
Donald Trump condemned his former White House Chief of Staff John Kelly for quoting Trump’s praise of Adolf Hitler and Hitler’s generals. However, in his response, Trump did not condemn Hitler because, “the only presidential nominee of a major party in history who has admired Adolf Hitler,” MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnell says, “fears losing a single vote from a single degenerate American Nazi.”

Click here to read Big Lie - A big lie (German: große Lüge) is a gross distortion or misrepresentation of the truth primarily used as a political propaganda technique. The German expression was first used by Adolf Hitler in his book Mein Kampf (1925) to describe how people could be induced to believe so colossal a lie because they would not believe that someone "could have the impudence to distort the truth so infamously". Hitler claimed that the technique had been used by Jews to blame Germany's loss in World War I on German general Erich Ludendorff, who was a prominent nationalist political leader in the Weimar Republic.

Click here to read 1990 report: Ivana Trump told her lawyer Donald Trump kept Hitler speeches beside bed

Click here to read After the Gold Rush

Click here to read Donald Trump's history with Adolf Hitler and his Nazi writings: ANALYSIS
Even after backlash, Trump again echoed his words at a campaign rally.

Click here to read Ivana claims Trump kept Hitler quotes by bed in resurfaced interview
A 1990 Vanity Fair profile of Ivana Trump noted the future president’s apparent fascination with the Nazi leader

Click here to read Donald Trump's Past Comments About 'Mein Kampf' Resurface

Click here to read Donald Trump Used to Get Nazi Greeting at Work: Ivana

Click here to read Adolf Hitler

Click here to read More on Adolf Hitler

Click here to read Eva Braun, Hitler's wife

Click here to read What is the Big Lie?

Click here to read The Hidden History of Trump’s First Trip to Moscow
In 1987, a young real estate developer traveled to the Soviet Union. The KGB almost certainly made the trip happen.

Click here to read ‘The perfect target’: Russia cultivated Trump as asset for 40 years – ex-KGB spy

Click here to read When a Young Trump Went to Russia
In 1987, the real estate tycoon visited the country to explore a hotel deal. Is that when he became compromised by Russian security services?

Click here to read Trump’s NATO hostility and Russia relations trace back to 1987

Click here to read Czechoslovakia ramped up spying on Trump in late 1980s, seeking US intel
Exclusive: aided by Ivana Trump’s father, intelligence service with KGB ties targeted high-level government information, files show

Click here to read Links between Trump associates and Russian officials

Click here to read Trump Considered Business With the Russian Government in 1987, and Newsweek Met Him in Moscow

Click here to read Timeline: Trump's Involvements With Russia

Click here to read All of Trump’s Russia Ties, in 7 Charts

Click here to read Trump's Ties To Russia

Click here to read Mueller Report Shows Depth of Connections Between Trump Campaign and Russians

Click here to read The Logan Act (1 Stat. 613, 18 U.S.C. § 953, enacted January 30, 1799) is a United States federal law that criminalizes the negotiation of a dispute between the United States and a foreign government by an unauthorized American citizen (2020-2024 DONALD J TRUMP HAS NOT BEEN AN 'AUTHORIZED AMERICAN CITIZEN

Click here to read Trump talking to Putin

Click here to read German Armed Forces High Command
Established in 1938, the German Armed Forces High Command was theoretically a unified military command controlling Germany’s air force, navy, and army. In reality, the establishment of the High Command allowed Adolf Hitler to consolidate power as commander-in-chief of the German military.

Click here to read What is Hitler known for?
Adolf Hitler was responsible for the DEATHS OF MILLIONS OF PEOPLE

Donald J Trump admires Adolf Hitler
IS THAT THE KIND OF MAN YOU WANT IN THE WHITE HOUSE?
WE DON'T

Click here to read The Holocaust

In recent years, the world has witnessed a troubling trend in politics: the rise of leaders who are not only willing to bend the truth but also openly admire authoritarian figures like Adolf Hitler and Vladimir Putin. The implications of having a president who lies incessantly and idolizes such controversial figures can have dire consequences for democracy, societal cohesion, and global stability.

Erosion of Trust

One of the fundamental pillars of any democratic society is trust between the government and its citizens. When a leader consistently lies, this trust erodes. People become skeptical of not only the president's words but also the institutions they represent. This skepticism can lead to widespread disillusionment, where citizens feel disconnected from the political process. When trust is lost, governance suffers, and the potential for meaningful dialogue and bipartisan cooperation diminishes.

Normalization of Extremism

Admiring figures like Hitler or Putin sends a dangerous message. Hitler, a dictator responsible for the deaths of millions and the horrors of the Holocaust, represents the darkest chapters of human history. Similarly, Putin's regime is marked by oppression, the suppression of dissent, and blatant human rights abuses. When a president looks up to such leaders, it normalizes authoritarianism and diminishes the value of democratic principles. This can create a chilling effect on free speech, press freedom, and civil liberties, as citizens may fear government retribution for speaking out against the regime.

Impact on Foreign Relations

A leader who idolizes authoritarian figures can have severe ramifications for international relations. Countries led by authoritarian leaders often act aggressively on the global stage, undermining democratic values and promoting instability. If the president of a democratic nation aligns himself with such figures, it sends a signal to the international community that democratic principles can be compromised for the sake of power or popularity. This alignment could result in strained relations with allies who prioritize human rights and democracy, leading to isolation and potential geopolitical conflicts.

Deterioration of Civic Discourse

A president who lies habitually creates an environment where misinformation thrives. In this climate, civic discourse deteriorates, as people become polarized and entrenched in their views. Rather than engaging in productive conversations about policy and governance, public debates often devolve into shouting matches based on falsehoods. This fragmentation can hinder the ability to solve pressing issues such as climate change, healthcare, and social justice, as cooperation becomes increasingly difficult.

Conclusion: The Call for Accountability

The dangers of having a president who lies incessantly and admires authoritarian leaders cannot be overstated. It is crucial for citizens to demand accountability from their leaders and to engage in critical thinking when consuming information. A healthy democracy relies on informed citizens who can discern fact from fiction and hold their leaders to high standards of honesty and integrity.

In these turbulent times, it is vital to remain vigilant against the allure of authoritarianism and to protect the values that underpin democracy. As we navigate this complex political landscape, we must remember that our leaders reflect our collective values, and we must insist on a future that prioritizes truth, integrity, and respect for human rights. The stakes are too high for us to remain silent.