Credibility -- The Problem with Trump's Words

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Propaganda, to be effective, must be believed. To be believed, it must be credible.
― Hubert H. Humphrey


Words matter. They don't stop mattering merely because a band of piteously subliterate band of nincompoops manage to vacuously mock people who know they do and speak and write accordingly. Words' extant substance and meaning have nothing to do with whether one knows what they are. The words we use have an effect on other people. We all know this.

Perhaps nobody's words have more impact than those of the POTUS. And Trump knows it too, yet repeatedly he doesn't adhere to his own awareness of the importance of words (0:24 in the video below)....

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Trump has in no uncertain terms made it clear that on some level he understands the value of simply owning one's errant word choice, so why, then, are there people who deign to assert that ignore that reality when we open our mouths? Why then do people persist in broaching the argument that Trump should not be taken literally. The fact is that nobody can read another's mind; thus we all, but most importantly the POTUS, have a responsibility to write and speak with an awareness of the impact our words may have.

• Context is important. -- Like it or not, people expect the POTUS to be serious, precise and clear. At the Gridiron dinner and roast, yes, the POTUS, or any speaker for that matter, can bend the meaning of his words to get a laugh.
• There are correct and incorrect ways to use any word. One must know what they are; choose wisely before opening one's mouth.
• Laziness with words is an epidemic. The fact that certain offensive words are so widespread in our culture reveals how tragically unoriginal we are. We could be a lot more creative in our communication, if we tried.

As a writer, this issue of using words is dear to me. Words are beautiful tools, but when improperly wielded, they create confusion and foment distrust of the person who utters them. Words do indeed matter. Trump needs to take the time to learn the meanings (denotative and connotative) of the ones he wants to use and then use them well, accurately.

It may be that the has "the best words," but he clearly doesn't know what many of them mean. His slovenly chosen words have resulted in the nation and world's no longer being able to rely on what President Trump says. The man quite simply cannot be trusted or believed.


Historical Reference:

• Why Words Matter Less In This Election

Too many leaders value their popularity, protecting it at all cost, degrading their credibility.
― Noel DeJesus, 44 Days of Leadership