Believe Quote by Robert Jay Lifton
“Donald Trump both disbelieves and believes in falsehoods, so that when he did thrive on his longstanding - the claim that Obama was not born in the United States - he's crazy like a fox in manipulating it because it gave him his political entrée onto the national stage. In order to make your falsehoods powerful, you have to believe in them in some extent. And that's why we simplify things if we say that Trump either believes nothing in his falsehoods and is just manipulating us like a fox or he completely believes them.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Interview on political psychology, 2018
Believing in falsehoods gives them power; manipulation can be both belief and strategic deception.
In simple terms: Falsehoods gain power when believed.
Key Takeaway
Recognize when belief fuels deception.
Themes
politics
psychology
manipulation
Mood
skeptical
critical
Type
analytical
political
When to use this quote
- campaign strategy
- media analysis
- public discourse
Key Concepts
Cognitive bias
propaganda
self-deception
Questions to Reflect On
- How does belief in falsehoods affect public trust?
- Can strategic deception be ethical?
A Different Perspective
People may resist if they see manipulation.
