Fake news and the rule of law

By Justin Henney
Reader Contributor

I wonder if Donald Trump goes to bed at night and is surprised at how easy it is for him to sell much of the American people untruths as truths. He is a man who graduated from the Wharton School of Business at University of Pennsylvania, which is a school long associated with wealth, success and privilege. It is an elite school for elites in our country. Donald’s superior, Elon Musk, also went to the Wharton School of Business at University of Pennsylvania. 

Both of these men are still supported by much of the working class in our country, but they suddenly seem less interested with working-class problems. Discrediting people like Judge James Boasberg seems to be the focus right now for Trump in his apparent quest for more power. 

This brave judge, who is the target of Trump’s wrath, is held in high regard for integrity and nonpartisanship. He is questioning Trump’s honesty in recent deportations. He is also reminding Trump that there is a process that needs to be followed if the president wants to get rid of judges. The process is called “the rule of law.” It might not be a rule Trump always follows, and it definitely slows things down and often frustrates people like Trump. 

Meanwhile, Trump is now calling Canada a “nasty” country because it is actually standing up for itself and retaliating with reciprocal tariffs and looking to do business with Europe instead of the U.S., because of what Trump has started with his trade wars. Canadians are also refusing to bow down to Trump in his public comments about annexing their country as the 51st state. 

Beside being incredibly disrespectful, this is unwanted by Canada. And The Donald is now repeating how “nasty” Canada is for not being on board with his desire to acquire that nation. Memories of my own past “nasty” attitudes come to mind, exhibited when I did not get a toy I really wanted as a toddler. 

We have seen The Donald get very angry in the past with reporters — especially females, for some reason — and say “nasty” things. He has also admitted in an interview with Fox reporter Mike Wallace several years ago that he struggles to tell the truth at times, in a slightly whiny, toddlerish voice. This is interesting, because Trump routinely attacks people of character and honesty as liars and fakes. 

In the beginning of his rants, Trump often sounds ridiculous to me; but, after hearing the same rants and accusations over months, or years even, he wears me down and I begin to hear it as normal and maybe even truthful. 

I am really interested in Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, who recently reminded Trump to calm down and let the judicial system operate the way it has for more than 200 years. Trump likely has not responded with venom and “nastiness” toward Roberts for his respectful reprimand because it could go badly for Trump. 

Let us remember that Donald Trump is a politician, who does not have honesty on his side — that is, if you believe some of his own family members, former friends, many Republicans, business acquaintances and ex-wives. 

Oh yes, and there are those more than two dozen women from various walks of life who have nothing in common except that they swear he sexually assaulted them. 

Fake news again? Sure.