JEFF PEARLMAN

JEFF PEARLMAN

The nonexistent moment of silence

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In case you missed this one (and you REALLY shouldn’t miss this one), two days ago Donald Trump gave a speech in Indiana, during which he referred to “some people” who were calling for a moment of silence to honor the Dallas shooter.

This was a complete lie.

I want to repeat this, because it’s important: Two days ago Donald Trump gave a speech in Indiana, during which he referred to “some people” who were calling for a moment of silence to honor the Dallas shooter. And it was a lie. As in, there were no reports—anywhere—of people calling for a moment of silence to honor the Dallas shooter. It. Did. Not. Happen.

Again, think about that.

The Republican presidential nominee decides the best way to use the aftermath of an unimaginable American tragedy is to stir even greater racial hostilities by pretending somewhat that was not said, eh, was said. He invented a movement that never moved; convinced his followers that others in the United States rooted for slaughter.

Again, think about that.

This is the same man who accused Ted Cruz’s father of being involved in the Kennedy assassination. This is the same man who accused the sitting president of not being born in the United States. This is the same man who … who … fuck, why am I wasting my breath? Donald Trump’s followers don’t care. We can name 1,001 lies, they don’t care. We can cite Trump University, they don’t care. They like tough talk, and he delivers tough talk. So what if he’s a complete con? So what if he’s a fraud?

Argh.