Fresh off a lie laden 60 Minutes interview, President Donald Trump sat down with the the Associated Press to do the same.
From oft-repeated false statements—like dismissing his decade long working relationship with personal lawyer Michael Cohen—or new ones like his defense of the Saudi government in the killing of Washington Post Jamal Khashoggi, the interview was Trumpian in its ability to overwhelm the viewer with falsehoods and tangents.
But now, Washington correspondent for the Toronto Star Daniel Dale has compiled the wildest moments for examination, and the results are unsettling to say the least.
From citing his "natural inclination for science" to refute the vast majority of the scientific community's stance on global warming:
AP to Trump on climate: Scientists say we're getting to a point where it's irreversible Trump: My uncle was a scie… https://t.co/2AYkEEWghN— Daniel Dale (@Daniel Dale) 1539744818.0
To dodging the subject on Russia:
Trump to AP: "I often hear that Russia likes to sow discord. The word is 'sow,' an old English term."— Daniel Dale (@Daniel Dale) 1539745193.0
And so much more.
AP: Why haven't you visited troops in a combat zone? Trump: "Well, I will do that at some point, but I don’t think… https://t.co/0cwwkGsXto— Daniel Dale (@Daniel Dale) 1539745515.0
AP: "Mitch McConnell said he wants to consider entitlement reform." Trump: "Wants to consider what?" AP: "Entitle… https://t.co/IvGhu1F2jP— Daniel Dale (@Daniel Dale) 1539745611.0
This answer comes despite the fact that Senate Majority Leader and Kentucky Republican Mitch McConnell's comments blaming entitlement programs for the deficit were covered widely in the past few days.
The president also appeared to blame California for forest fires in order to defend the widening deficit:
AP tells Trump the budget deficit is very big and that he used to criticize Obama about such deficits. Trump says… https://t.co/ADpyE9JDx1— Daniel Dale (@Daniel Dale) 1539745808.0
And of course, plenty of pure nonsense:
Trump with pure nonsense: "Do you know these Russian hackers you’re talking about from Moscow? They have nothing to… https://t.co/5eVCuGTV8o— Daniel Dale (@Daniel Dale) 1539745970.0
Trump has been lying that Biden ran for prez three times, though it was twice. This time, he attributed this to "a… https://t.co/mSBt08i4QJ— Daniel Dale (@Daniel Dale) 1539746209.0
One of Trump's most outlandish lies is that the Electoral College is set up in a way that gives Democrats an inhere… https://t.co/Y1kM3QO1YZ— Daniel Dale (@Daniel Dale) 1539747026.0
The thread has Americans on Twitter deeply concerned and in disbelief.
@ddale8 I read your checks and transcripts a lot. I honestly thought tonight was a parody. And I’m “pre-desensitized”— Geoffrey Rickly (@Geoffrey Rickly) 1539747386.0
@ddale8 Omg. Every single thing he says is a lie.— susan morrow (@susan morrow) 1539794869.0
@ddale8 Is he hearing impaired or just ignorant?— Sandy H (@Sandy H) 1539778456.0
@ddale8 These quotes don’t seem real. Trump is a living parody.— This Dog Has an Opinion (@This Dog Has an Opinion) 1539778286.0
None of the claims listed held water.
Twitter users were aghast at the rampant amount of falsehoods.
His comments partially blaming California's fire management for the budget deficit were met with receipts, as well as what many believe to be the true culprit for the deficit escalation: Republican tax cuts
@ddale8 Took this photo over Tahoe National Forest just to educate @realDonaldTrump. This is how California manage… https://t.co/WiFPd7pW8P— Serena (@Serena) 1539751243.0
@Batyalee @NorcalVol @ddale8 @realDonaldTrump @CAL_FIRE It's also ludicrous to think that the fire management line… https://t.co/tXtkLMkW2t— Francisco Elias Ilabaca (@Francisco Elias Ilabaca) 1539797721.0
@ddale8 Mr. President, I think it was your 2 Trillion give away to the rich that did it. It was called a tax bill.… https://t.co/QaemXd2BZr— Barbara Stiles (@Barbara Stiles) 1539751994.0
His and White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders's claims that a majority of undocumented children being voluntarily left by their parents also struck outrage.
@ddale8 All the rest of his garbage I can laugh at but this breaks my heart. There’s no self-separating going on. I… https://t.co/xv4OLBCpNn— 🌊 𝔏𝔞𝔲𝔯𝔞 𝔚𝔢𝔞𝔱𝔥𝔢𝔯𝔰𝔭𝔬𝔬𝔫 🆘 (@🌊 𝔏𝔞𝔲𝔯𝔞 𝔚𝔢𝔞𝔱𝔥𝔢𝔯𝔰𝔭𝔬𝔬𝔫 🆘) 1539746765.0
@ddale8 Completely bogus (as usual, for Sarah Slanders). Even Border Patrol employees contradict what she says. If… https://t.co/re5S0TZLx5— Monty Boa (@Monty Boa) 1539799790.0
His answer to long-held criticisms of his refusal to visit service members in a combat zone didn't suffice either when compared to the time he sets aside for golfing.
@ddale8 @jcmarbury Translates to: "There aren't golf courses in war zones."— Perl says Fuck the NRA (@Perl says Fuck the NRA) 1539748448.0
@ddale8 @jcmarbury Translates to: "There aren't golf courses in war zones."— Perl says Fuck the NRA (@Perl says Fuck the NRA) 1539748448.0
@ddale8 He's too busy golfing.— LadyLisa (@LadyLisa) 1539745553.0
While a presidential interview with multiple outright lies has become rather normal over the years, Daniel Dale's breakdown of them reinvigorated the belief among Americans that this should not be customary. One can only hope interviews like this will lead more people to the voting booth next month.