As a lifelong journalist (I co-founded a classroom newspaper in grade 5), I have always venerated truth. Which is why serial liar Donald Trump’s second election win intrigues me, even as it outrages me.
I understand that millions of MAGA members believe his ridiculous lies, and have been relentlessly programmed to ignore more informed points of view.
But how does he hook them (and keep them)?
My investigation begins by asking Perplexity.ai:
Why are Trump's lies so effective?
Its responses (printed below) are plausible and compelling - and often alarming. I have "bolded" some of the most intriguing ideas below, and I will be studying them for a while.
So should you. The tools of rhetoric and persuasion can be used for good as well as bad.
Perplexity.AI: Donald Trump's lies have proven effective for several key reasons:
1. Repetition: Trump frequently repeats false claims, exploiting the "illusory truth effect" where people tend to believe information after repeated exposure. His strategy of "As long as you keep repeating something, it doesn't matter what you say" demonstrates his conscious use of repetition
2. Emotional appeal: Trump's lies often appeal to emotions rather than rational thought. For example, his claims about immigrants "eating pets" in Ohio are designed to provoke fear and outrage rather than encourage factual analysis.
3. Confirmation bias: Many of Trump's supporters are predisposed to believe his statements, even when presented with contrary evidence. This is partly due to extreme partisan polarization and low trust in institutions
4. Media manipulation: Trump's lies often dominate news cycles, forcing media outlets to repeat his claims even when debunking them. This gives his falsehoods more airtime and visibility
5. Lack of consequences: Despite numerous fact-checks and debunkings, Trump has faced few significant political consequences for his lies, which may embolden him to continue.
6. "Big Lie" technique: Trump often employs what some describe as the "big lie" propaganda technique, where the sheer audacity and scale of the falsehood make it seem more believable to some.
7. Tribal loyalty: Many Republican voters and politicians continue to support Trump despite his lies, either excusing them or believing them outright, which reinforces their effectiveness within his base.
8. Episodic thinking: Trump appears to focus on "winning" each moment rather than maintaining consistency over time, which allows him to contradict himself without apparent concern.
9. Distrust in traditional sources: Trump has successfully undermined trust in mainstream media and institutions among his supporters, making them more likely to believe his version of events.
10. Entertainment value: Some supporters appreciate Trump's lies as a form of political theater or as attacks on elites they resent, rather than judging them on factual merit. These factors combine to create an environment where Trump's lies can be effective despite their demonstrable falsehood, particularly among his core supporters.
