Why Did Donald Trump Lie About the Stormy Daniels Payoff?
Introduction:
Dear Anonymous,
My teachers used to say, 'The only dumb question is the one you didn’t ask.' Your question is the exception that proves the rule: it is a well-known fact that Trump lied about the Stormy Daniels payoff, so this isn't a new question. Let me explain why.
The Repetitive Nature of Trump's Lies
Over the course of the 2016 Republican primary and the first two years of his presidency, it became clear that Trump lies about pretty much everything. He lies as effortlessly as most people breathe. If his lips are moving, he’s probably lying; if he opens his mouth, a lie comes out, and when he closes his mouth, he bites a lie in two as it tries to escape.
Given this history, it would have been much more surprising if he had told the truth about the Stormy Daniels payoff. It would have been extraordinary for him to be honest about such a private matter.
Reasons for the Lie: Legality and Embarrassment
There are obvious reasons why Trump would lie about the Daniels payoff. The payment was illegal, potentially embarrassing, and harmful to his public image. He has a history of making decisions based on what will benefit him the most, rather than what is truthful or ethical.
Trump is not just a liar; he is an expert at deflecting negative attention and maintaining a positive public image. Any information that could tarnish his reputation or cost him votes is likely to be denied, regardless of the truth.
Psychological Insights: The Value of Honesty
It's not that Trump is lying; it's that he doesn't value truth or honesty. He says whatever will do him the most good in the moment. Truth is irrelevant; it isn't something he cares about. Trump will tell the truth if that is what will benefit him the most at that time, but only for that reason, and not because it is the truth.
Trump sees people who value truth and honesty as weak and as suckers, demeaning them for telling the truth or for thinking others tell the truth. To him, truth and honesty are not valuable traits.
Therefore, Trump lied about knowing anything about the Stormy Daniels payoff because it was in his best interest to do so at that moment. He wasn't trying to deny something; he was protecting himself and his image.
Conclusion:
His obsession with self-preservation and maintaining a positive public image led him to lie about the Stormy Daniels payoff, as it would have damaged his reputation and potentially cost him votes. The question is not whether he lied, but why he felt it would benefit him to do so.