What Next | Daily News and Analysis Donald Trump Vs. Reality Itself
14 snips
Aug 7, 2025 
David A. Graham, a staff writer at The Atlantic and author of 'The Project,' discusses the alarming trend of political manipulation under Trump. He delves into the implications of controversial judicial appointments and the alarming dismissal of a labor statistics commissioner. The conversation critiques how economic data is reported and manipulated for political gain, exploring the broader consequences of misinformation. Graham highlights the growing distrust in institutions and the escalating disregard for truth in politics, raising crucial questions about the future of factual accuracy.
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BLS Role and Politicization
- The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) delivers critically important economic data vital for democratic accountability and policymaking.
- Trump firing the BLS commissioner after unfavorable jobs data signals an alarming politicization of reliable statistics.
Trump's Narrative Over Facts
- Trump dismisses facts that don't fit his rosy economic narrative, pushing a false narrative that the economy is always getting better.
- Fact manipulation replaces truth as the goal in his administration's communication strategy.
Judiciary Distrust of Government Facts
- Increasing distrust in DOJ from judiciary is causing judges to question government facts more rigorously.
- This erosion could slow the judicial process if courts no longer accept government-provided facts.
