Trump has the tools to treat his baseless conspiracy theories as if they were real, and that’s a problem

Trump’s serial lying and reflexive confabulating may entertain his MAGA base. But they are far from harmless fodder for the faithful. The obvious losers are the ones he lies to: the American people. Democracy only works when the electorate is informed.

Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, and U.S. President Donald Trump in the West Wing entrance of the White House on May 6, 2025. Trump not only lies with frightening regularity, but he also never shows the remorse that other presidential liars have exhibited, Michael Harris writes.Photograph courtesy of Flickr/The White House photograph

Opinion

BY MICHAEL HARRIS

August 11, 2025

HALIFAX—Bad faith from politicians has always been a feature of democracy.

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