Shortly after the inauguration of President Donald Trump, when Presidential Counselor Kellyanne Conway was asked about White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer making inaccurate claims about the size of the crowd on inauguration day by Chuck Todd with NBC, Conway replied that the press secretary had chosen to use "Alternative Facts" -- and a new expression was born. Commentary about the Orwellian nature of Conway's glossing of reality exploded across social media.
Rick Newman, with Yahoo Finance, claims that Trump's mastery of the use of alternative facts aided with his presidential win, and notes that, as president, his use of alternative facts continues, with the columnist pointing to President Trump's claims that millions of votes were cast illegally, about his record inauguration crowd, that he enjoyed the biggest Electoral College win "since Ronald Reagan," that the murder rate is increasing, and of non-existent terrorist attacks.
Supporters revel in muck created by 'alternative facts'
Donald Trump supporters are said to claim that it's a "mistake to interpret Trump literally," and point to his efforts to "dismantle the broken establishment," claiming that lies told along the way are inconsequential. In fact, his lies have seemed to energize his core supporters, who appear to believe the message that facts truly do not matter anymore, and their tension with the fact-checking media. For some, it seems, patriotism trumps truth.
Newman points out that there is one arena where "fake facts don't cut it: the market." Instead, acting on irrational plans based on bogus information can lead to only one outcome: harm. "This is happening now," writes the Yahoo Finance writer.
He suggests that Donald Trump has "talked up stocks," but notes that "sugar highs" can't last forever, and that markets can "change quickly once the storyteller loses credibility."
Those who rely on 'alternative facts' will end up on 'losing side'
When an individual, responsible for only his or her own well being acts irrationally when faced with important decisions, they alone suffer the consequences.
Newman notes that millions of Americans are clinging to President Trump's promise of a return of manufacturing jobs, and renewed economic growth, and that they are bound to wind up on the "losing side," if they don't snap out of it, and base their decisions upon reality.
Workers must be able to accomplish more if they expect to earn higher wages, no matter what deals Donald Trump can negotiate, or how high his border wall is built.
Rick Newman states that firms are not going to hire "workers with outdated skills unless there’s nobody else." The columnist makes note of the fact that the president has been appearing to portray himself as a victim of circumstances, of former President Barack Obama, of the press, and of the intelligence community, for example, and that this may be setting his supporters up for the disappointment he believes they will eventually feel.
