Donald Trump has turned the 2020 election into his own personal ghost story, a campfire tale he insists on retelling long after everyone else has finished their marshmallows and gone home. The punchline, of course, is that more than 60 court cases, many in front of judges he himself appointed, sifted through his “kraken” of fraud claims and found the same thing every decent fish market manager would: this isn’t fresh, and it sure as hell isn’t fish. Conservative legal scholars took the time to read through 64 different challenges and concluded—politely, in footnotes—that he simply lost, that there was no credible evidence that fraud changed the outcome anywhere. Yet here he is in 2026, still muttering that the 2020 election was “rigged,” repeating the claim more than a hundred times in six months like a diner regular who sends back every plate but somehow always clears his own. The cybersecurity folks called 2020 the most secure election in American history, federal law enforcement found no significant fraud, and his own attorney general essentially shrugged and said, “There’s nothing there, it’s all nonsense,” but the show must go on, apparently.
What he never seems eager to put under the blacklight are his own victories. The win in 2016, or the nice, clean re‑election in 2024 that landed him back in the White House in January 2025. Those, magically, are immune from the vast global conspiracy of Venezuelan voting machines, dead Democrats, and Italian satellites beaming ballots in from outer space. It’s funny in the way watching a drunk guy argue with a street sign is funny: mildly entertaining, until you realize he’s steering a country and not just stumbling down the strip. The courts have spoken, the audits are done, the experts are bored, and every serious investigation has reached the same resounding verdict: there is no wolf, just a man who discovered that shouting “fire” in a crowded democracy keeps the cameras pointed his way. At this point, the crying isn’t just tiresome, it’s background noise, the political equivalent of elevator music, forever looping while he insists the building is burning, just not the floors he happens to own.
I love your first line. I think he's still there & able to whine because the oligarchs (in all their forms) are allowing it. The minute he starts veering away from THEIR reality, and from helping them, he'll be gone.
Here’s what I think will be very valuable – – and that is to keep shining a light on the truth. Keep putting the truth out there. For me, one method is to write letters to the editor. I live in a small town, with a small town newspaper, in a ruby red rural area.
When I post to blogs, I know I’m speaking to my own tribe. When my letters are published in the newspaper, people outside my own echo chamber, read them. If I can create any doubt in a few minds, or change one vote, it’s worth the time and effort.
The truth will eventually be revealed to everyone, the timing is uncertain. That is why we must not give up trying to improve our adherence to our professed values.
Reality always asserts its dominance in the end. Always, the truth wins out, because it is the truth. The only unknown — ever — is how much damage liars will inflict, by misleading the gullible, promoting the evil, and aggrandizing themselves.
Yes, the truth will prevail. Because the majority of us are truthful people, we will see to it that the truth is known. I believe in my fellow Americans.
Let us hope indeed, that the truth will prevail. Our democracy depends on it. I don’t think there’s any other way to rescue our tattered republic. Basic truths are torn, no, shredded. These remnants are so diminished that they are becoming buried under all of the lies that this regime chooses to further or to pass off as some sort of balanced view. Further, they expound upon its moral foundation as evidence of some sort of super patriotism among its adherents.
This has to stop. I don’t know how we’re going to stop it if Congress cannot step up to the plate to help all of us distinguish facts from lies. The same is true of the media. It has to tell the truth…no… it must be the harbinger of our collective truth. One truth is becoming painfully clear; we are the keepers of the truth, and the keepers of the flame of democracy.
I am hoping the truth wins out! It is frightening though that he has the men with guns and could make it difficult for people in key positions all over the country to say no to him.
Well, I wonder what you mean by "win" in your question "will the truth win out?" What would that win actually look like? We've been watching our American friends and family with something akin to horror, wondering what in the world it will take for you all to actually put a stop to the most obvious and rapid embrace of fascism the world has ever had to witness. I admit to being quite shocked at how much pearl-clutching is going on and how little concrete action. With all due respect, most Americans seem to be waiting for someone else to fight for their rights, while every single day the "move fast and break things" crowd in Washington sets fire to the public good, thus far without consequence. True, the regime keeps losing court cases, but there apparently is no one to enforce those losses so in reality there have been no meaningful consequences. In fact, judging by some of the recent performances in hearings on Capitol Hill, decorum, decency, and respect are not just being ignored, they're being laughed at by crooks such as Todd Blanche. And if they're laughing at you in public, just imagine what they are doing behind closed doors. Trillions of your tax dollars are being flushed down the toilet -- or literally stolen. And now it seems abundantly clear that the election in November is going to be a real shit show, and it is quite likely that in at least half the country you will not know who really won -- so then what? If the courts can't save your democracy, the midterms are a total fiasco for more reasons than we can count, and ICE and the National Guard have become armed troops on the streets (and at the polling places) of American cities, the "truth" that will "out" will not be the truth you are hoping for. Freedom is never given, it must always be won (Simone de Beauvoir). I don't see a way forward for you that does not involve bloodshed. Each and every person -- all of us, not just Americans -- must ask ourselves "what am I willing to do to defend democracy?" "How bad does it have to get for me and my family before it is no longer business as usual?" "If I am okay, but my neighbour is not, is that reason enough for me to stand and fight?" And answer truthfully. Maybe then, the truth will win out.
I wonder what does it take for Congress to fully see and understand your laundry list of lies, incompetence, and attack on our freedom and economy to final take action to stop this descent to fascism. If not for their own conscience, but what about our children and grandkids!? What are they leaving for the next generation!? This is not governing in a democracy, but a dismantling of our freedoms and democracy. I still hope and pray that our better angels must and will prevail.
Yes "The trurh will always come out." My Mom taught me that. Also, that, sometimes, it will take longer than we'd like. I've found that all to be true.
Alas, Steven, while I appreciate your listing the specific disasteric activities of Trump's rot-filled presidency, I feel a flash of that warning: "You're preaching to the wrong crowd." Your readers (including me, of course), have been saying "Yes, Steven. Give it to him, with each of your brilliant words. The difficulty is, while we are marching behind you, a tough-looking group of troublemakers are in our path. Not only do they spell trouble, but stupid, bigoted, and dangerous are in their bios. How to reach them? It's not the Republican legislators I'm speaking about. They already know what a calamity Trump has been. They may be worthless, but I doubt dangerous. It's the "basket of deplorables" (thank you, Hillary) that I worry about. Tough guys whose cruelty has replaced brains or compassion. Their shotguns are loaded. They practiced Jan. 6, 2021. I fear they may be ready for the real thing.
Here's an idea: "Deplorables" don't come in baskets, and they don't wear I'M A DEPLORABLE T-shirts. You probably know some of them. I know I do, and I'm in a blue area of blue Massachusetts. Most likely you have something in common with at least a few of them. It's almost certainly not politics -- maybe it's a hobby, or a TV show, or you go to the same mechanic. Start there.
I have some family members and some friends who are Trumpers. Nothing I can say or show them will change their minds. Because in their minds “we” are the evil ones. I have written them off. Yes, I have to see them every now and then but I do not go out of my way to do so. It’s a waste of time to try and change their minds as they are in a cult. The only way to stop this is to get the people who sat out the 2024 election, those who did not like Harris or Trump and decided it was better to not vote at all than choose. Those are the people who need to be turned. Unfortunately, I do not know anybody like that. But some of you might. Concentrate on those people and leave the Trumpers behind.
If there is one person working night and day to weaken this country it is the President. He wants people to doubt what they know to be true, because when you don’t believe he believes lies will work. Most of his crap falls apart with little inspection.
You can always be hopeful. Whether its rational is a separate issue. Trump is a combination of hatred towards minorities, poor and middle class. He exhibits pure evil, dishonesty and corruption. Hes getting worse. And there is no bottom.
Reason for hope is evaporating since hes emboldened by so many powerful people whose religion is supporting the devil for personal gain. The new commandments: thou shalt lie, torture, steal .....
Is there escape? Not if you're poor, alone, etc.
Is artificial intelligence a solution? No. It is information about specific questions.
Metaphorically, the skies above the US have been polluted, dark, evil, menacing, unhealthy anti human.
It has been said that: "truth can never be told so as to be understood and not be believed." However, with about 1/3 of the country that just files right over their heads... and they believe the lies regardless. So, if the other 2/3rds hold them accountable, then it will win out. Hopefully.
Donald Trump has turned the 2020 election into his own personal ghost story, a campfire tale he insists on retelling long after everyone else has finished their marshmallows and gone home. The punchline, of course, is that more than 60 court cases, many in front of judges he himself appointed, sifted through his “kraken” of fraud claims and found the same thing every decent fish market manager would: this isn’t fresh, and it sure as hell isn’t fish. Conservative legal scholars took the time to read through 64 different challenges and concluded—politely, in footnotes—that he simply lost, that there was no credible evidence that fraud changed the outcome anywhere. Yet here he is in 2026, still muttering that the 2020 election was “rigged,” repeating the claim more than a hundred times in six months like a diner regular who sends back every plate but somehow always clears his own. The cybersecurity folks called 2020 the most secure election in American history, federal law enforcement found no significant fraud, and his own attorney general essentially shrugged and said, “There’s nothing there, it’s all nonsense,” but the show must go on, apparently.
What he never seems eager to put under the blacklight are his own victories. The win in 2016, or the nice, clean re‑election in 2024 that landed him back in the White House in January 2025. Those, magically, are immune from the vast global conspiracy of Venezuelan voting machines, dead Democrats, and Italian satellites beaming ballots in from outer space. It’s funny in the way watching a drunk guy argue with a street sign is funny: mildly entertaining, until you realize he’s steering a country and not just stumbling down the strip. The courts have spoken, the audits are done, the experts are bored, and every serious investigation has reached the same resounding verdict: there is no wolf, just a man who discovered that shouting “fire” in a crowded democracy keeps the cameras pointed his way. At this point, the crying isn’t just tiresome, it’s background noise, the political equivalent of elevator music, forever looping while he insists the building is burning, just not the floors he happens to own.
The ghost story really has become tedious and tiresome. Thanks for this, Marat.
I love your first line. I think he's still there & able to whine because the oligarchs (in all their forms) are allowing it. The minute he starts veering away from THEIR reality, and from helping them, he'll be gone.
All his Whining is just food for his base.
Yup, 👆
Here’s what I think will be very valuable – – and that is to keep shining a light on the truth. Keep putting the truth out there. For me, one method is to write letters to the editor. I live in a small town, with a small town newspaper, in a ruby red rural area.
When I post to blogs, I know I’m speaking to my own tribe. When my letters are published in the newspaper, people outside my own echo chamber, read them. If I can create any doubt in a few minds, or change one vote, it’s worth the time and effort.
The truth will eventually be revealed to everyone, the timing is uncertain. That is why we must not give up trying to improve our adherence to our professed values.
Hope is eternal.
So true.
Reality always asserts its dominance in the end. Always, the truth wins out, because it is the truth. The only unknown — ever — is how much damage liars will inflict, by misleading the gullible, promoting the evil, and aggrandizing themselves.
The struggle we face is ancient and eternal.
Yes, the truth will prevail. Because the majority of us are truthful people, we will see to it that the truth is known. I believe in my fellow Americans.
Let us hope indeed, that the truth will prevail. Our democracy depends on it. I don’t think there’s any other way to rescue our tattered republic. Basic truths are torn, no, shredded. These remnants are so diminished that they are becoming buried under all of the lies that this regime chooses to further or to pass off as some sort of balanced view. Further, they expound upon its moral foundation as evidence of some sort of super patriotism among its adherents.
This has to stop. I don’t know how we’re going to stop it if Congress cannot step up to the plate to help all of us distinguish facts from lies. The same is true of the media. It has to tell the truth…no… it must be the harbinger of our collective truth. One truth is becoming painfully clear; we are the keepers of the truth, and the keepers of the flame of democracy.
The hour is nigh. “Let’s GO.”
(As an aside:
The newest strange aberration is whopper Maker Mark Wayne - over the top exuberant Trump Lie enthusiast.
Why?)
….
Truth
You ask. “So what do you think? Will the truth win out?”
Yes
I dream it will; I fantasize it shall;
I WILL it shall, because I need it, deeply.
We need it deeply.
TRUTH
Thank you again, Steven
I am hoping the truth wins out! It is frightening though that he has the men with guns and could make it difficult for people in key positions all over the country to say no to him.
Well, I wonder what you mean by "win" in your question "will the truth win out?" What would that win actually look like? We've been watching our American friends and family with something akin to horror, wondering what in the world it will take for you all to actually put a stop to the most obvious and rapid embrace of fascism the world has ever had to witness. I admit to being quite shocked at how much pearl-clutching is going on and how little concrete action. With all due respect, most Americans seem to be waiting for someone else to fight for their rights, while every single day the "move fast and break things" crowd in Washington sets fire to the public good, thus far without consequence. True, the regime keeps losing court cases, but there apparently is no one to enforce those losses so in reality there have been no meaningful consequences. In fact, judging by some of the recent performances in hearings on Capitol Hill, decorum, decency, and respect are not just being ignored, they're being laughed at by crooks such as Todd Blanche. And if they're laughing at you in public, just imagine what they are doing behind closed doors. Trillions of your tax dollars are being flushed down the toilet -- or literally stolen. And now it seems abundantly clear that the election in November is going to be a real shit show, and it is quite likely that in at least half the country you will not know who really won -- so then what? If the courts can't save your democracy, the midterms are a total fiasco for more reasons than we can count, and ICE and the National Guard have become armed troops on the streets (and at the polling places) of American cities, the "truth" that will "out" will not be the truth you are hoping for. Freedom is never given, it must always be won (Simone de Beauvoir). I don't see a way forward for you that does not involve bloodshed. Each and every person -- all of us, not just Americans -- must ask ourselves "what am I willing to do to defend democracy?" "How bad does it have to get for me and my family before it is no longer business as usual?" "If I am okay, but my neighbour is not, is that reason enough for me to stand and fight?" And answer truthfully. Maybe then, the truth will win out.
Your reply is brilliant and so very accurate. Thank you.
Amen.
I wonder what does it take for Congress to fully see and understand your laundry list of lies, incompetence, and attack on our freedom and economy to final take action to stop this descent to fascism. If not for their own conscience, but what about our children and grandkids!? What are they leaving for the next generation!? This is not governing in a democracy, but a dismantling of our freedoms and democracy. I still hope and pray that our better angels must and will prevail.
Yes "The trurh will always come out." My Mom taught me that. Also, that, sometimes, it will take longer than we'd like. I've found that all to be true.
The truth, by definition, has already won. But the battle for the truth does not end when liars surrender, because they never do.
Alas, Steven, while I appreciate your listing the specific disasteric activities of Trump's rot-filled presidency, I feel a flash of that warning: "You're preaching to the wrong crowd." Your readers (including me, of course), have been saying "Yes, Steven. Give it to him, with each of your brilliant words. The difficulty is, while we are marching behind you, a tough-looking group of troublemakers are in our path. Not only do they spell trouble, but stupid, bigoted, and dangerous are in their bios. How to reach them? It's not the Republican legislators I'm speaking about. They already know what a calamity Trump has been. They may be worthless, but I doubt dangerous. It's the "basket of deplorables" (thank you, Hillary) that I worry about. Tough guys whose cruelty has replaced brains or compassion. Their shotguns are loaded. They practiced Jan. 6, 2021. I fear they may be ready for the real thing.
Here's an idea: "Deplorables" don't come in baskets, and they don't wear I'M A DEPLORABLE T-shirts. You probably know some of them. I know I do, and I'm in a blue area of blue Massachusetts. Most likely you have something in common with at least a few of them. It's almost certainly not politics -- maybe it's a hobby, or a TV show, or you go to the same mechanic. Start there.
They are immune to truth and reason. There’s nothing to start with. It’s like speaking to a rock.
Unfortunately this is also true of some on “our” side. Did you have to deal with the "Bernie Bros" in 2016? We definitely have work to do.
I have some family members and some friends who are Trumpers. Nothing I can say or show them will change their minds. Because in their minds “we” are the evil ones. I have written them off. Yes, I have to see them every now and then but I do not go out of my way to do so. It’s a waste of time to try and change their minds as they are in a cult. The only way to stop this is to get the people who sat out the 2024 election, those who did not like Harris or Trump and decided it was better to not vote at all than choose. Those are the people who need to be turned. Unfortunately, I do not know anybody like that. But some of you might. Concentrate on those people and leave the Trumpers behind.
If there is one person working night and day to weaken this country it is the President. He wants people to doubt what they know to be true, because when you don’t believe he believes lies will work. Most of his crap falls apart with little inspection.
When he says anything, don’t believe him.
Is there hope.
You can always be hopeful. Whether its rational is a separate issue. Trump is a combination of hatred towards minorities, poor and middle class. He exhibits pure evil, dishonesty and corruption. Hes getting worse. And there is no bottom.
Reason for hope is evaporating since hes emboldened by so many powerful people whose religion is supporting the devil for personal gain. The new commandments: thou shalt lie, torture, steal .....
Is there escape? Not if you're poor, alone, etc.
Is artificial intelligence a solution? No. It is information about specific questions.
Metaphorically, the skies above the US have been polluted, dark, evil, menacing, unhealthy anti human.
There is nobody else on earth whose face exudes evil selfishness and cruelty like trumps.
It has been said that: "truth can never be told so as to be understood and not be believed." However, with about 1/3 of the country that just files right over their heads... and they believe the lies regardless. So, if the other 2/3rds hold them accountable, then it will win out. Hopefully.