--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We speak truth to power, and we've never…" description: "\"We speak truth to power, and we've never been fooled into believing Donald Trump 'can be a good president.'\" — Kevin de Leon" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f4c/kevin-de-leon-7780_donald-trump_we-speak-truth-to-power-and-we-ve-never_792144.jpg" --- # We speak truth to power, and we've never been fooled into… ![“We speak truth to power, and we've never been fooled into believing Donald Trump 'can be a good president.'” quote by Kevin de Leon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f4c/kevin-de-leon-7780_donald-trump_we-speak-truth-to-power-and-we-ve-never_792144.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f4c/kevin-de-leon-7780_donald-trump_we-speak-truth-to-power-and-we-ve-never_792144.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f4c/kevin-de-leon-7780_donald-trump_we-speak-truth-to-power-and-we-ve-never_792144.jpg) > “We speak truth to power, and we've never been fooled into believing Donald Trump 'can be a good president.'” [Kevin de Leon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-de-leon/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Calling out false narratives about political leaders, emphasizing the importance of honesty and accountability in governance. **In simple terms:** Expose lies about leaders and demand truth. Key Takeaway Demand honesty from those in power. Themes politics accountability truth leadership Mood skeptical determined Type political critical motivational When to use this quote - voter education - media analysis - public debate - campaign strategy Key Concepts media literacy critical thinking civic engagement Questions to Reflect On - How can citizens verify political claims? - What responsibilities do leaders have to speak truth? A Different Perspective Some may argue that any leader can have positive aspects; this view risks oversimplification. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/power/) [Speak Truth To Power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/speak-truth-to-power/) [Trump Good](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trump-good/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/) ## Related quotes > [To speak truth to power is not a particularly honorable vocation. One should seek out an audience that matters - and furthermore (another important…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/to-speak-truth-to-power-is-not-a-particularly-honorable-vocation-one/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [When a woman has the opportunity to speak truth to power, it's important that she does, even if it's just trying to get a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kirsten-gillibrand/when-a-woman-has-the-opportunity-to-speak-truth-to-power-it-s/) [Kirsten Gillibrand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kirsten-gillibrand/) > [We have to speak truth to power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-acosta/we-have-to-speak-truth-to-power/) [Jim Acosta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-acosta/) > [“To speak truth to power is not a particularly honorable vocation.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/to-speak-truth-to-power-is-not-a-particularly-honorable-vocation/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [It's very, very hard to speak truth to power when the truth is unpleasant. I think it's one of the toughest things especially a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-gergen/it-s-very-very-hard-to-speak-truth-to-power-when-the-truth-is/) [David Gergen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-gergen/) > [“It can be difficult to speak truth to power. Circumstances, however, have made doing so increasingly necessary.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aberjhani/it-can-be-difficult-to-speak-truth-to-power-circumstances-however/) [Aberjhani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aberjhani/) > [In the RFK Center's Speak Truth to Power program, we are working with schools across the United States and in countries like Italy, Cambodia…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kerry-kennedy/in-the-rfk-center-s-speak-truth-to-power-program-we-are-working-with/) [Kerry Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kerry-kennedy/) > [Speak truth to power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milan-kundera/speak-truth-to-power/) [Milan Kundera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milan-kundera/) > [Our democracy is designed to speak truth to power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandria-ocasio-cortez/our-democracy-is-designed-to-speak-truth-to-power/) [Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandria-ocasio-cortez/) > [ The time-honored role of the artist \[is\] to speak truth to power. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salman-rushdie/the-time-honored-role-of-the-artist-is-to-speak-truth-to-power/) [Salman Rushdie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salman-rushdie/) > [“Why have the writings of the prophets endured? Because they fearlessly speak truth to power. They call out the injustice and oppression of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-bell/why-have-the-writings-of-the-prophets-endured-because-they-fearlessly/) [Rob Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-bell/) > [It is an author's most solemn obligation to honor truth. If the free and independent writer does not speak truth to power, who will?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-abbey/it-is-an-author-s-most-solemn-obligation-to-honor-truth-if-the-free/) [Edward Abbey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-abbey/) > [As Democrats, we will never be fooled into believing that if we are patient enough, that Donald Trump could be a good president.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-de-leon/as-democrats-we-will-never-be-fooled-into-believing-that-if-we-are/) [Kevin de Leon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-de-leon/) > [Barack Obama was a good president, and hopefully, Donald Trump is a good president.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/floyd-mayweather-jr/barack-obama-was-a-good-president-and-hopefully-donald-trump-is-a/) [Floyd Mayweather, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/floyd-mayweather-jr/) > [I know everybody wants humor to be subversive and speak truth to power. I don't think power's been listening, incidentally.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-mankoff/i-know-everybody-wants-humor-to-be-subversive-and-speak-truth-to/) [Robert Mankoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-mankoff/) ## More by Kevin de Leon > [The D.C. playbook is obsolete. It's time for the people of California to bring the agenda to Washington, not the other way around.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-de-leon/the-d-c-playbook-is-obsolete-it-s-time-for-the-people-of-california/) [Kevin de Leon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-de-leon/) > [We can't cross our fingers and hope that President Donald Trump can 'learn and change.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-de-leon/we-can-t-cross-our-fingers-and-hope-that-president-donald-trump-can/) [Kevin de Leon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-de-leon/) > [I'm not into political gamesmanship.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-de-leon/i-m-not-into-political-gamesmanship/) [Kevin de Leon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-de-leon/) > [California Democrats - we fight on the front lines - we don't equivocate on the sidelines.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-de-leon/california-democrats-we-fight-on-the-front-lines-we-don-t-equivocate/) [Kevin de Leon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-de-leon/) > [We will not lift a single finger or spend a single cent to be a cog in the Trump deportation machine, and we won't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-de-leon/we-will-not-lift-a-single-finger-or-spend-a-single-cent-to-be-a-cog/) [Kevin de Leon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-de-leon/) > [While we need to provide leadership and stability to the world, we should do that through diplomacy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-de-leon/while-we-need-to-provide-leadership-and-stability-to-the-world-we/) [Kevin de Leon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-de-leon/) > [Unlike Washington, the California legislature has proved that cooperation is both possible and essential to successful policymaking, while stubborn absolutism will have you trailing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-de-leon/unlike-washington-the-california-legislature-has-proved-that/) [Kevin de Leon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-de-leon/) > [My mother passed away young - she died from ovarian cancer at just 54 years old. Her sacrifices for my sisters and I evoke…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-de-leon/my-mother-passed-away-young-she-died-from-ovarian-cancer-at-just-54/) [Kevin de Leon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-de-leon/) > [I grew up in the streets of San Diego, and I love this city dearly. I love this city. San Diego is my home.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-de-leon/i-grew-up-in-the-streets-of-san-diego-and-i-love-this-city-dearly-i/) [Kevin de Leon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-de-leon/) > [I know - firsthand - that California works best when everyone has the opportunity to succeed. It's a lesson that's hard to learn from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-de-leon/i-know-firsthand-that-california-works-best-when-everyone-has-the/) [Kevin de Leon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-de-leon/) > [It is erroneous and profoundly irresponsible to suggest that up to three million undocumented immigrants living in America are dangerous criminals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-de-leon/it-is-erroneous-and-profoundly-irresponsible-to-suggest-that-up-to/) [Kevin de Leon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-de-leon/) > [I don't believe that all folks who supported Donald Trump are racist. I think that there was a lot of economic anxiety, there was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-de-leon/i-don-t-believe-that-all-folks-who-supported-donald-trump-are-racist/) [Kevin de Leon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-de-leon/) > [In California, we celebrate our diversity. We celebrate who we are because we're proud of who we are; we're proud of where our families…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-de-leon/in-california-we-celebrate-our-diversity-we-celebrate-who-we-are/) [Kevin de Leon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-de-leon/) > [What we have done dramatically in California is lead the entire nation. For example, we have created more jobs in clean energy in California…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-de-leon/what-we-have-done-dramatically-in-california-is-lead-the-entire/) [Kevin de Leon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-de-leon/) > [Yes, we absolutely need to eliminate the single-use plastic bag, but we don't have to eliminate the jobs of hardworking Californians to accomplish this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-de-leon/yes-we-absolutely-need-to-eliminate-the-single-use-plastic-bag-but-we/) [Kevin de Leon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-de-leon/) [Explore all 87 Kevin de Leon quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-de-leon/) ## More Donald trump quotes > [I'm not here trying to convince anybody to vote for Donald Trump. I think every Christian needs to make up his own mind about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-jeffress/i-m-not-here-trying-to-convince-anybody-to-vote-for-donald-trump-i/) [Robert Jeffress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-jeffress/) > [ Vote for Donald Trump. You're going to see something and you'll be so happy, you'll be so thrilled. This \[presidential\] election is about every… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/vote-for-donald-trump-you-re-going-to-see-something-and-you-ll-be-so/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [We're going to create factory jobs for recent immigrants, and Donald Trump is going to take care of them. That's why his numbers, even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-sessions/we-re-going-to-create-factory-jobs-for-recent-immigrants-and-donald/) [Jeff Sessions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-sessions/) > [When it comes to bullying small businesses, Donald Trump is the poster boy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/when-it-comes-to-bullying-small-businesses-donald-trump-is-the-poster/) [Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/) > [Donald Trump is a different ball of wax. I've been trying to say for I don't know how many months now that the traditional…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/donald-trump-is-a-different-ball-of-wax-i-ve-been-trying-to-say-for-i/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [Donald Trump has been rewriting the rules since he got into politics.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-michael-cillizza/donald-trump-has-been-rewriting-the-rules-since-he-got-into-politics/) [Christopher Michael Cillizza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-michael-cillizza/) > [Donald Trump is temperamentally unfit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/donald-trump-is-temperamentally-unfit/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [At minimum, we must recognize that there are legitimate, unanswered questions about whether the Obama Justice Department involved themselves in a political project targeting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-meadows/at-minimum-we-must-recognize-that-there-are-legitimate-unanswered/) [Mark Meadows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-meadows/) > [ Donald Trump has opened \[ politically correct enforcement\] up wide. He's made a very bold statement and he's backed it back just a little… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-cruz/donald-trump-has-opened-politically-correct-enforcement-up-wide-he-s/) [Ted Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-cruz/) > [Donald Trump doesn't necessarily stay mad for very long. He's a transactional guy. If you can offer him something, he will take it. Or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-wolff/donald-trump-doesn-t-necessarily-stay-mad-for-very-long-he-s-a/) [Michael Wolff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-wolff/) > [Donald Trump so far is sending a signal that he's going to run the government like his business and maybe that's going to work.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-o-reilly/donald-trump-so-far-is-sending-a-signal-that-he-s-going-to-run-the/) [Bill O'Reilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-o-reilly/) > [ If \[Donald\] Trump throws 20 million off of health care, that's going to be - if he handles this badly - and it's very… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/van-jones/if-donald-trump-throws-20-million-off-of-health-care-that-s-going-to/) [Van Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/van-jones/) > [Donald Trump is not going to be the nominee, because we are not going to allow - people will wake up and we're not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-rubio/donald-trump-is-not-going-to-be-the-nominee-because-we-are-not-going/) [Marco Rubio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-rubio/) > [If we turn our backs on the remaining industries and not reinvest in these places and just say 'You're on your own,' we will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-fetterman/if-we-turn-our-backs-on-the-remaining-industries-and-not-reinvest-in/) [John Fetterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-fetterman/) > [ \[Donald Trump\] knows he's going to get hit, though. He's the president. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/megyn-kelly/donald-trump-knows-he-s-going-to-get-hit-though-he-s-the-president/) [Megyn Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/megyn-kelly/) Browse all 2,538 Donald trump quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We speak truth to power, and we've never been fooled into believing Donald Trump 'can be a good president.'", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Kevin de Leon" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-de-leon/we-speak-truth-to-power-and-we-ve-never-been-fooled-into-believing/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Donald trump" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-de-leon/we-speak-truth-to-power-and-we-ve-never-been-fooled-into-believing/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f4c/kevin-de-leon-7780_donald-trump_we-speak-truth-to-power-and-we-ve-never_792144.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f4c/kevin-de-leon-7780_donald-trump_we-speak-truth-to-power-and-we-ve-never_792144.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f4c/kevin-de-leon-7780_donald-trump_we-speak-truth-to-power-and-we-ve-never_792144.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“We speak truth to power, and we've never been fooled into believing Donald Trump 'can be a good president.'” — Kevin de Leon", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Kevin de Leon", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-de-leon/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "We speak truth to power, and...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-de-leon/we-speak-truth-to-power-and-we-ve-never-been-fooled-into-believing/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-de-leon/we-speak-truth-to-power-and-we-ve-never-been-fooled-into-believing/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```