What does President Trump really believe in?
Does he want to run in the third term or is that a joke? Does he intend to grab control of Gaza and expel millions of Palestinians, or is it just a proposal? Is Black History Month a waste of time and money, or is it worth a gorgeous celebration at the White House?
Anyone looking for definitive answers has a hard time finding them.
Since taking office, after returning to his position, Trump has occasionally used the dizzying rhetorical tactics of slowly changing positions and changing his message to a muddy, contradictory position on the same day. The contradiction presented the American people with a duel story at every turn, allowing people to choose and choose what they want to believe in the president's intentions.
Trump has long traded distortions and lies, including his first term. However, as he implemented a much more aggressive agenda at home and abroad, his contradictions became more brave and more prominent.
“He says so much, you can't really pin him,” said Julian E. Zelizer, Princeton history professor and editor of an essay book on Trump's first term. “The point is not to have a contradiction. The point is to cover it.”
“The reality of the modern world of information is that you can choose and choose what you want to believe,” Zelizer added. “He knows that instinctively.”
Within hours of taking office, Trump attacked the rioters on January 6th and assaulted Capitol police officers.
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