Hypocrisy is defined as a “situation in which someone pretends to believe something that they do not really believe, or that is opposite of what they do or say at another time,” according to the Cambridge Dictionary. It is easy to spot a hypocrite when you watch what they say and do at different times. Over the course of days, weeks or years they might pretend to uphold certain values, while having actions that go against that very value. Maybe like someone who preaches about the dangers of candy while stuffing their face.
There is no reason for the United States of America, a country built upon the values of democracy, to choose a hypocrite as our president. It is blatantly obvious that the actions of President Donald Trump do not represent the wants and needs of the American people. Trump has said that he was going to work for the American people and has lied and gone back on his word.
However, Trump’s hypocrisy is not a new issue. Trump, as of now, has been lying about his own beliefs and values. Take, for example, January 6, 2021, when Former President Joe Biden took office. Make America Great Again (MAGA) Republicans stormed the US Capital, asserting that the election was rigged. As Ryan J. Reilly explains in his NBC article, that on January 7, 2021, Trump called the January 6 riots a “heinous attack”, and wanted to distance himself from those who stormed the capital. However, later on, in October 2024, Trump would go back on his word, now calling that day a “day of love.”
Furthermore, Reilly explains in another NBC article, many of the rioters that were caught and convicted that day had different types of weapons, including explosives. It should be clear that a day that involved people using firearms to attack the nation’s capital should not be referred to as a “day of love.”
While Trump never saw the attacks on the capital as domestic terrorism, he did label the February 9, and ongoing arson attacks on Tesla dealerships as terrorism. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), defines domestic terrorism as “violent, criminal acts committed by individuals and/or groups to further ideological goals stemming from domestic influences, such as those of a political, religious, social, racial, or environmental nature.” If Trump was consistent with his word, both the Jan. 6 riots and the arson attacks against Tesla dealerships would fall under the umbrella of domestic terrorism. However, Trump only defended Tesla because of his relationship with its owner, Elon Musk.
In a position where the Constitution plays an important role, President Trump has proven he does not care about its content. For example, Musk, despite being labeled as a “Special Government Employee” (SGE), has shown that he may have more power than is allowed by law. For example, Musk’s government cuts using the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which was established by Trump and Musk to “eliminate useless government spending” have been extremely unconstitutional. Although it is now considered a government agency, prior to this ruling, it has cut many programs such as Charting My Path, an education program for disabled children, as well as funding for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). If Trump, the President, wants to fulfill his role of acting for the people and holding up the Constitution, he would not support Musk, and he would not support DOGE.
In recent news, Trump has been attempting to suspend or even remove Habeas Corpus, a law that allows those who are detained to challenge their detainment in court, and if a person is found to be detained illegally, they are allowed to be let go. Trump’s campaign had a major focus on “restoring the freedom of speech”, but as his presidency continues, it seems he does not care about holding up this freedom. He has called for the arrest of journalists and political rivals, as explained by NPR, and has gone as far to call for the defunding of news sites such as NPR and PBS.
As a country, just recognizing Trump’s hypocrisy and lies will not be enough. It is still important to understand that what he says and what he does will not line up, but knowing this is not fighting him–it is stating the obvious. It is time to spread information and fight for the rights of all citizens.
