By Geoff Beattie
When it comes to lying in politics, Donald Trump is in a class of his own. According to the Washington Post, he made 30,573 false or misleading claims in his four years as president, increasing year-on-year from six per day in his first year to 39 per day in his fourth.
Although other presidents have lied to the public, none have lied like this. Some of Trump’s lies are trivial, and many are self-aggrandising (“Nobody builds better walls than me”). Then there are his more egregious lies, like the one about the 2020 presidential election being “stolen” – demonstrably and dangerously contrary to the facts, with serious consequences for the nation and public trust.
And these lies can cut through. Research by political scientists Kevin Arceneaux and Roy Truex found that this “big lie” about the stolen election was very “sticky”. Around 50% of Republican voters believed it, regardless of any emerging contrary evidence. The researchers also found that belief in this lie boosted Republican supporters’ self-esteem – as they weren’t “losers” after all.
Politicians who lie can gain a strategic advantage. If you can successfully embellish the truth or construct a new reality, this often tends to be more interesting and engaging than the complicated truth. The truth may be a bit dull and uninspiring; the lie can be whatever you want it to be. You know what your audience wants to hear.
Politicians know that lying is part of our everyday lives. Research in psychology using lie diaries tells us that people lie on average twice a day. Many are harmless “white” lies told for the benefit of others, but some are not so harmless and told for the benefit of the liar themselves.
Some people get significant pleasure from telling such self-centred lies. Psychologists call this “duping delight”. It confuses the recipient of the lie, who expects to detect signs of guilt or anxiety. Instead, all they see is a faint smile of satisfaction. The liar gets away with it – that smile could mean anything.
Who likes lying?
Certain types of personality are drawn to telling these sorts of lies, including those with little empathy, such as narcissists and psychopaths. They don’t care about the consequences for the recipient; it’s all about them.
People typically start lying early in life – between two and three years of age. Charles Darwin observed this in his own son.
And the ability to lie improves as our cognitive abilities develop. Like any skill, we get better at it with practice. While many adults still feel guilt when they don’t tell the truth, some politicians don’t appear to feel any guilt, shame or sadness at telling a lie.
Telling a big lie
Politics was once thought of as an art. It was political philosopher Nicolo Machiavelli who, in 1532, wrote: “Those princes who have done great things … have known how to circumvent the intellect of men by craft.” Part of that craft was lying. Machiavelli argued that rulers should do whatever it takes to retain power, and this could include “being a great dissembler”.
Politicians can lie by omission and by exaggeration – but sometimes, like Trump, they tell outright “big lies”. This term was introduced by Adolf Hitler in Mein Kampf, and the concept of the big lie was used by the Nazis to justify persecution of the Jews.
A big lie is often defined as “a deliberate gross distortion of the truth used especially as a propaganda tactic”. These have, it is argued, the power to disrupt society.
Political historian Timothy Snyder accused Trump of using the big lie technique in his denial of the 2020 election result.
To work, according to Hitler, big lies must also be able “to awaken the imagination of the public through an appeal to their feelings”. They are not aimed at our rational selves, but our unconscious and emotional selves.
Trump saying that immigrants are eating the dogs and cats in Springfield, Ohio, is not appealing to our rational system. It’s providing us with a vivid image, and trying to affect our emotional and unconscious system.
As the sociobiologist Robert Trivers has pointed out, lying can give you a clear evolutionary advantage. Status, wealth and achievements are important in that great evolutionary battle, the survival of the genes – that’s why people (including Trump) lie about them. But Trivers says self-deceit can also be evolutionarily advantageous, because if you can convince yourself then it makes you more convincing to others, and therefore more effective.
Perhaps Trump managed to convince himself that they really were eating the dogs and cats in Springfield. Or perhaps he thought to himself: “Plant the emotional image, that’s all you need for the faithful.”
Attractive fictions might well engage us and sweep us along but, as Shakespeare suggested in the Merchant of Venice, many people hope the “truth will out” eventually. The last few months of the US election campaign suggest this may not always be true.
Geoff Beattie is Professor of Psychology at Edge Hill University.
The Conversation arose out of deep-seated concerns for the fading quality of our public discourse and recognition of the vital role that academic experts could play in the public arena. Information has always been essential to democracy. It’s a societal good, like clean water. But many now find it difficult to put their trust in the media and experts who have spent years researching a topic. Instead, they listen to those who have the loudest voices. Those uninformed views are amplified by social media networks that reward those who spark outrage instead of insight or thoughtful discussion. The Conversation seeks to be part of the solution to this problem, to raise up the voices of true experts and to make their knowledge available to everyone. The Conversation publishes nightly at 9 p.m. on FlaglerLive.
nbr says
his winning strategy has been and continues to be tell the same lie often enough some people will start to believe it. I am NOT ones of those peoplev@gamil
Hank says
Yep… the right believes one thing and the left believes another because they heard the lies over and over again…. Russian collusion, lap top is fake, Trump said inject yourself with bleach, he said Nazi’s are fine people, he is going to send the military out to arrest opposition after the election… the list goes on and on… and the left believes it….
Joe D says
There is a SIGNIFICANT difference to what Trump is saying and what Democrats are saying….TRUMP is on tape and video SAYING he will do all those things you list!
So now you are telling me he’s LYING about those things he’s said he’s going to do if elected?
You kind of can’t have it both ways. I personally BELIEVE (given the chance), he will try to do everything he says he’s going to do to his opposition once back in office! That’s the frightening part….and I’m not just referring to the frightening part, because today happens to be Halloween 👻
Jim says
Hank, Trump did suggest ingesting bleach to avoid Covid (on national TV). He did say he’s going after his opposition after the election (and he’s said much, much worse). I really don’t care about Hunter’s laptop (last time I checked, Hunter is not elected to any office but the Republicans went after him – how would it have played if the Democrats put Ivanka, Don Jr. and Eric up on charges?) As far as Russian collusion, the jury is still out on that so I’ll give you that one – if there are no facts to support the claim, I’m willing to concede! After Charlottesville, where, if I remember correctly, the Nazi’s marched with catchy slogans like “Jews will not replace us!” and “blood and soil”, Trump said there were good people on both sides. So who are the good people on the Nazi side??
We can both agree that the list goes “on and on”. Trump has been a busy guy. Election stolen, Haitians eating dogs and cats, Democrats are the “enemy from within”, non-citizens are voting by the thousands in this election, the Democrats are cheating to steal this election, “They’re[Democrats] Marxists and communists and fascists, and they’re sick”. I’ll stop there because I know you lost interest halfway through the first sentence.
So say what you want about the “left”, those comments I just made are backed up by factual data. How about you counter my argument with facts you have about the bleach, etc.? I’d love to read it!
Thank God you fine folks on the right have the ability to ignore what Trump says and continue to think he’s the Chosen One. If he is that, I think the Devil has a hand in it!
Shark says
There was russian collusion – during the pandemic diaper don sent covid supplies to his buddy putin and had him rig his election !!!
Toto says
The left believes it because he’s a lying lunatic! He has the support of the people behind Project 2025 who will allow and encourage it. If this lying maniac wins, this country is in for a rude awakening.
BillC says
@Hank April 23 2020 Trump Covid press conference: Trump: “And then I see the disinfectant, where it knocks it out in a minute, one minute. And is there a way we can do something like that by injection inside or almost a cleaning, because you see it gets in the lungs and it does a tremendous number on the lungs. So it’d be interesting to check that.”
August 15 2017 Charlottesville, Va. press conference: Trump: “Excuse me, excuse me. They didn’t put themselves — and you had some very bad people in that group, but you also had people that were very fine people, on both sides.
On Oct. 9, 2024 Trump told supporters in Scranton, Pennsylvania, that Vice President Kamala Harris is surrounded by “very smart, very vicious people” who are “the enemy from within.”
On Oct. 13, he told Fox News’ Maria Bartiromo that U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., is “the enemy from within” and, when asked about the possibility of Election Day chaos, warned of “very bad people,” “radical left lunatics” who should be handled if “necessary” by the National Guard or the military.
Whiplash says
Beattie is a professor at Edge Hill University which is in England! Why would the owner of Flagler Live publish any hit piece from foreigners without revealing where the University is located or the fact that the author is a professor in a foreign country!
If you MR publisher really want to have us put trust in the news and opinion media you need to start in your own shop!
FlaglerLive says
We were not aware that a professor in England somehow has less qualifications to write an opinion than a professor in Gainesville or Iowa: The Conversation honors academe without borders, as does FlaglerLive.
Jim says
I must humbly point out to you that England is a foreign country! Anything they might have to say about us fine ‘Mericans is something to be avoided at all costs. Do you not realize that, to be a true ‘Merican, you must ignore any and all information that comes from outside the good ol’ USA! Heck, you’re supposed to ignore any information from inside this country that doesn’t goose-step to the MAGA movement.
JW says
This comment demonstrates how ignorant (and arrogant) Americans can be. Please don’t forget that we do not educate much at all during K-12. Any country in Europe does better.
And we better learn from our mistakes rather that repeating them in the form of lies.
And, yes, America is a feel-good society or maybe not (listening to Trump)
Hank says
@Whiplash – you will see NOTHING but the lies that Trump has told and NOTHING about the lies from the other side. The editor here claims “there is no comparison between Trumps lies and Dem lies”. He even promotes the lies of the left with his comments. You will only see one side here. Unless it is local news it will be nothing but biased hand picked reporting of opinion. And even with local it can be questionable sometimes…
Jim says
Please supply some of the heinous lies the Democrats have told and let’s compare them to any lies we can find that the Republicans have told! Please!
Sherry says
@hank. . . post “credible facts” for your outrageous claims. . . OR, we will all know that you are capable of nothing but BS!!!!
Wallingford says
Donald Trump learned from the best, Frederick Christ Trump, his father. Low self esteem dictates embellishing everything; even when the true facts are known. For example, the Donald says he is in the best of health whereas Joe Rogan announced that Trump wore adult diapers during the podcast.
Marlee says
He tells lies because……..
His supporters believe them!
Charles says
He thinks that makes him look smart and strong, not realizing everytime he lies smart people fact check him and prove once again he told another lie.
He is a racist just like his Father was and it is all Donald knows. He is a very bitter hateful person. And for all that our country has given him, he hates our country and says it every day.
All he cares is fools to vote for him so he can stay out of jail and if he wins, he won’t give too craps about anyone as usual but himself.
Laurel says
This article makes a great deal of sense, and explains a lot to me. Someone who is based more in logic, and facts, becomes baffled how people can believe these lies and ignore the facts in front of their faces.
Joe D says
There was another book written during Hitler’s rise to power. It was written by one of his close advisers.
It essentially said the German “masses” (us) were too stupid and uninformed (read “uneducated”) and in need of direction and a scapegoat (someone to blame) for all their troubles (financial and political “punishments” delivered out on Germany when they were defeated in the FIRST world war).
The book goes further on to say: don’t make it a SMALL lie, make it a BIG lie…something that those hearing it will think it’s TOO BIG NOT to be true! Then keep repeating it over and over (despite people challenging it as untrue) until the “uneducated masses” have heard it so often, they believe it HAS to be TRUE!
Hitler needed a scapegoat (well educated, successful Jewish professionals and business leaders) to focus the masses blame on. And they fell for it “hook line and sinker.” Hitler appealed to the basic emotions of the German people’s suffering.
Sound familiar? Just change “Jews” for “Migrants” and we’ve jumped to 2024!!! Someone to BLAME for all the US struggles!!!
When I heard those words, I was STUNNED…it’s EXACTLY what the Trump campaign is doing now… and 1/2 the country is falling for it…frightening!
nbr says
Joe, well spoken, just to add a little, from another comment, YES the LEFT believes the lies and what they hear from DJT own mouth, that is why the Left will not vote for him
Jim says
100% agree. I’ve said before that all of us should review the history of Germany and Europe that led to WWII. We’re heading down that path. I’ve heard time after time – “history repeats itself” which is one reason why we should familiarize ourselves with it. Most people don’t touch a hot stove a second time. We’re reaching for it right now…
Mothersworry says
Because that is who he is and has been all his life. He is the consummate BS’er. What I find real troubling is that he is worshiped and believed. I never thought Americans could support a pos like this. Truly sad.
deport republicans says
facts and truth are irrelevant to republicans. Lies sound better and they support hate. Republicans are the misinformation campaigns and everything they say should be fact checked as its most likely total garbage. for example see any republican speaking.
Laurel says
There is the God Bless the U.S.A. Bible that Trump is selling, that is printed in China, and endorsed by the God Bless the U.S.A. singing Lee Greenwood (who is also profiting) who also sings God Bless Canada “where I know I can be free.” It’s just business, right?
So y’all have a few more days to let Trump know it’s not just business to you.
Dennis C Rathsam says
Don’t ya love the garbage truck!!!! TRUMP LANDSLIDE!
Kennan says
No policy. No platform. No vision. No loyalty to anything other than money. Yes, he lies because he thinks so little of his face. He knows they don’t care enough to follow up on anything. They won’t vote their conscience. Ask yourself why you vote? Be honest. When you vote is it because you like him or because you hate the other party or candidate so much that the lack of policy and rhetoric on your side matters not he lies because he thinks so little of you that the hate and fear and misinformation he sees will stick. he knows it.
Democrats may be too politically correct, but I would rather be annoyed by that then live in fear of literally losing human rights. Vote your conscience. Just to show you I’m not.” Talking out of my ass”. I’m not voting in this cycle. I’m getting a lot of pushback and criticism from fellow Democrats, but I don’t care. When it comes to Gaza….. I know too much, and my conscience won’t allow me to vote for someone who is supporting a country that is murdering every Arab civilian in sight on our dime.
Harris checks most boxes when it comes to policy. As well as the fact that she has one unlike.” Cheeto Vonn Duesberg” I will not, however; Vote for relentless murder. That’s just me.
VOTE YOUR CONSCIENCE.
Dennis C Rathsam says
Nothing but avoiding the real truth! The lies coming out of Harris,s mouth are unbelieveable!!! TRUMP has no abortion ban! Lie # 1 TRUMP is a Nazi, Lie # 2 TRUMP is deranged LIE # 3! The HARRIS folks are watching in slow motion of the demize of her folly! If you think she can fix all the things she destroyed as VP! If you can believe all the lies, remember she was the last person in the room…. 13 died in Afganistan, due to ignorance, how many young American girls were raped & murdered by the open border? Thanx to Harris! She said on the View, when asked if she would do so things differently… She said NOTHING COMES TO MIND! WHAT MIND!!!!!