Our current POTUS is notorious for his astounding capability to lie and deceive. Most often via utter falsehood (“We’re the highest-taxed nation in the world” — we’re not), sometimes using insults (“[he has] the biggest ears I’ve ever seen” — his ears are fine), and frequently through logical fallacies.
The New York Times published a compilation of Trump’s lies, including this graph which highlights the first day Trump went without a public lie or falsehood since taking office (Spoiler alert: it was not until the 40th day).
Also from the New York Times is a fun list of the people, places, and things that Trump has ever insulted, including (but not limited to) one of my favourites:
Disgraceful? Certainly.
But are we, as honourable, respectable, and noble citizens of the high society totally, and 100%, guilt-free of committing the same sins as President Trump?
Here are 7 logical fallacies that Trump (and you!) have committed.
1. Questionable Cause:
From Latin, cum hoc ergo propter hoc, assuming a causal connection simply because they are regularly associated.
What Trump has said:
What you have said:
“It’s funny how every time I go out with you, I get hit on by banker bros.” [Assuming your friend is a banker-bro-magnet when it very well may be that banker bros are just being banker bros]
2. Ad Hominem (To-the-Man):
From Latin, ad hominem, criticizing the person’s appearance, character, and personality, rather than the position they are defending.
What Trump has said:
What you have said:
“You can’t take his career advice too seriously…he’s a vegan.” [Criticizing someone’s ability to provide professional advice by attacking their character choice to eat tempeh]
3. Strawman:
Over-simplifying, distorting, and attacking a ‘strawman’ rather than a person’s actual argument since the person may have never said such a thing.
What Trump has said:
What you have said:
“I’m not saying that there is anything wrong with the keto diet but I’m just not really down to have like, a tub of lard for dinner.” [Equating a high-fat, low-carb diet to ‘like, a tub of lard’]
4. Red Herring:
From Latin, ignoratio elenchi, a diversion or distraction from the actual issue at hand.
What Trump has said:
What you have said:
“He seemed kind of sexist over drinks last night, but his bumble profile says he writes songs so I’m going to stick around in case he gets Spotify Singles famous.” [Using the fact that your bumble date is mildly musically-inclined to distract you from the actual issue that he is (most probably) a raging sexist]
5. Texas Sharpshooter:
Also known as Cluster Illusion, ignoring the differences while focusing only on the similarities, and cherry-picking data points to make a point or come to an inaccurate conclusion.
What Trump has said:
What you have said:
“I just thought well, we both love cats and Coachella, we’ll probably make great roommates.” [Coming to the conclusion that you and said stranger are roommates made in heaven based solely on your shared love for cats and flower crowns]
6. Hasty Generalization:
Jumping to conclusions based on biased generalizations.
What Trump has said:
What you have said:
“50 bucks. Lesbian.”(seeing someone in Doc Martens) [Generalizing that those who wear Doc Martens, play for the other team]
7. Argument from Ignorance:
From Latin, argumentum ad ignorantiam, assuming something is true because it has not yet been proven false.
What Trump has said:
What you have said:
“If you’re still playing Pokemon Go, you’re probably not getting laid.” [Assuming this is true because technically, it has never been proven false]
Thank you for reading! 😊
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