In an April 29, 2025, interview with Terry Morgan of ABC News, that can be seen here: https://x.com/BulwarkOnline/status/1917381376111960380 Donald Trump, in his capacity as President of the United States, claimed that Abrego Garcia had the initials, MS 13, tattooed on his knuckles. On April 18, Trump had held up a photo purporting to show that Garcia’s knuckles bore those symbols. Since multiple other clear photos of Garcia’s knuckles showed other symbols but not the “MS 13,” fact checkers concluded, rightly, that the April 18 photo had been doctored. Trump had to know that.

When Trump brought up the subject with Morgan, the interviewer tried multiple times to move away from the subject, at one point noting in a kind of under-breath remark that Trump’s prior “photo” had been Photoshopped, Trump wasn’t having it. He persisted in his flagrant lie, attacked Morgan and refused to let the discussion move on. Trump knew he had lied but insisted that Morgan agree otherwise. To his credit, Morgan wasn’t going to do that and continued to try to move the conversation to another subject, ignoring the personal attacks from the President.

This incident as well as any other tells you everything you need to know about Trump. He is fully prepared to lie, insist the lie is “true” and refuse to move on until everyone agrees with him. It is not fanciful to imagine that this occurs all the time in the Cabinet meetings and elsewhere. Trump completely lacks a moral component and is thus able to make obviously false statements, demand that everyone agree that they are true, and refuse to permit the conversation to move on until they do.

This is the man that holds the highest political office in the country, dishonest to the core. Everything about him is driven by his lack of interest in and likely his inability to tell or even recognize the truth. For Trump the truth is whatever he wants it to be. In combination with his wealth, this practice has served him well in the one sense that it has supported his quest to accumulate more wealth and to live in a fantasy world of his own creation that also supports his quest for power.

I suspect this is what happens in Russia when Vladimir Putin says something that is blatantly false. Anyone who dares challenge him knows that Putin will not hesitate to order that person’s death and that there are plenty of fearful aides who will carry out such orders rather than put themselves at risk.

So far as we know, Trump has not ordered anyone killed, at least not directly. He is, of course, behind the federal government’s determination to deploy a force of armed men in masks and unmarked vehicles to arrest and deport to prisons in foreign countries, without opportunity to consult counsel or communicate with families, people of all ages and conditions who are “suspected” of certain crimes or merely affiliations. To support him in this quest, Trump has at his disposal a large gang of men, many suspected of being affiliated with the Proud Boys and other racist organizations, and a Press Secretary who is skilled, like Trump, at talking over anyone who questions her about the government’s practices.

Very little separates Trump from Putin. The Supreme Court has held that the President of the United States may commit crimes in office without punishment in the course of his “official duties” under Article II. Trump is keenly aware of this “freedom.” How long before he executes its ultimate logic? Who in his gang of sycophants will stop him?

Everyone is familiar with the famous quote: “”power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely” When checking in Safari to confirm my recall of its origin, the Apple AI program produced this “overview:”

• • Lord Acton (John Emerich Edward Dalberg Acton):

The quote is widely attributed to him, an English historian and politician, who wrote it in 1887.

• • The Core Idea:

The saying posits that the exercise of power, regardless of the individual’s initial intentions, can lead to a decline in moral standards and a tendency to prioritize self-interest over the public good.

• • Absolute Power:

The phrase emphasizes that unchecked, absolute power amplifies this corrupting influence, potentially leading to complete moral decay.

• • Historical Context:

The quote has been used to analyze various historical figures and political systems, highlighting the potential for corruption in positions of power.

• • Relevance to Modern Politics:

The saying remains relevant in contemporary politics, where concerns about the abuse of power, unchecked authority, and the potential for corruption are ongoing.

Everything you need to know.