Denials, lies and a lack of responsibility – should Americans worry about Trump’s relationship with the truth?
While Joe Biden’s stumbling performance at the debate has prompted anxiety among Democrats, Donald Trump’s supporters have seemed unconcerned about his relationship with the truth.
In our last post, former UK ambassador to the US Kim Darroch said Trump spoke “nonsense” and “total fantasy”.
Here we take a look at three issues on which he’s been called out for lying, denials or refusing to take responsibility.
Accepting defeat and role in infamous riots
When asked in the debate how he would reassure voters that he would respect his oath of office after the 6 January 2021 insurrection, he refused to denounce those who attacked police and stormed the Capitol building by breaking doors and windows.
More than 850 people have pleaded guilty to crimes, including seditious conspiracy and assaulting police officers, stemming from the riot. About 200 others have been convicted at trial.
The clashes came after Trump encouraged his supporters to gather at the Capitol, as he refused to accept the result of the 2020 election – which Joe Biden won. Trump insists he meant they should march peacefully.
Instead of showing contrition, Trump said the members of the congressional committee that investigated the 6 January riots could face criminal charges under his presidency, and threatened to prosecute his political opponent if he leaves office.
Asked last night if he would accept the results of the election, Trump gave a qualified answer, saying: “If it’s a fair and legal and good election.”
Outright lies? Trump’s unfounded border claims
On border security, Trump argued, with no evidence, that migrants arriving at the US border were coming from “mental institutions” and “insane asylums”.
At another point in last night’s debate, Trump said: “We have the largest number of terrorists coming into our country right now.”
In response, President Biden said: “That’s simply not true.
“There’s no data to support what he said, once again, he’s exaggerating. He’s lying.”
Denials – US soldiers ‘suckers and losers’ allegations
Biden also brought up Trump’s alleged comments that Americans who die in war are “suckers and losers”.
The sitting president turned angrily to his debate opponent, saying: “My son was not a loser, he’s not a sucker.
“You’re the sucker. You’re the loser.”
Trump was forced to deny the comments, which he reportedly made in 2018 when he declined to visit a US military cemetery in France. The then president apparently explained his decision by saying veterans buried there were “suckers” and “losers” – comments corroborated by his former chief of staff, John Kelly.
But Trump hit back during the CNN debate, claiming 19 people can corroborate the fact that he did not make the comments.
Trump added: “He should apologise to me right now.”
Source link : https://news.sky.com/story/who-could-replace-biden-reaction-to-trump-debate-republican-democrat-face-off-in-first-tv-clash-of-presidential-race-13159379
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Publish date : 2024-06-28 09:41:15
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