Trump’s Dirty Tricks, INC.

LBJ — that old-time barnstormer himself who became POTUS 36 — knew all the dirty tricks. He especially liked to make up outlandish accusations about his political opponents. When asked why he kept fabricating such lies, he’d only chuckle. Then he’d say something like, “I know it wasn’t true. I know he wasn’t doing all those things to that pig. I just wanted to hear him deny it.”

Then everyone would laugh…because it was funny. It was funny when America still had a democracy. Not anymore.

Now that the fascist demagogue has become a fledgling dictator, POTUS 45 has upgraded LBJ’s dirty tricks. Trump has taken lying about political opponents (and enemies) to a whole new level — to a place where the smeared ones cannot deny or protest or react without seeming guilty.

Latest case in point: aspiring Presidential candidate Joe Biden and his son Hunter.

As far as everyone knows, former Veep Biden did nothing illegal. Neither did his son. But that hasn’t stopped Trump from linking their names to Ukrainian corruption. That’s how The Donald’s game is played. It’s called guilt by association. Only the association here is that both Bidens were once in the Ukraine — and nothing more.

Neither Joe nor Hunter Biden committed any criminal acts. During the Obama Administration, then Vice-President Biden traveled to the Ukraine and met with government officials. His son Hunter served on a company board there and was paid a lot of money for not doing a whole lot. Not atypical or uncommon for many board members worldwide. Not unfamiliar to Trump’s kids or to other sons and daughters of politicians and celebrities, either.

But by the time Trump’s propaganda and scandal mongers are done with this father and son, they will both look like diehard criminals. WHY?

Pre-election insurance. Now that Trump has decided Biden will be his opponent in the 2020 Presidential race, he’s making as many pre-emptive character attacks as possible. He’s going to keep doing it too because he knows he can get away with it, and he knows it will work with voters.

But what exactly is Trump doing?

Make no mistake about it: Trump is deliberately and systematically engaging in a smear campaign against Biden. He’s continuously putting the focus on Joe Biden AND his son AND corruption. Over and over, Trump keeps talking (and tweeting) about corruption and the Bidens in the same breath. It’s become an unstoppable mantra for The Donald. Although Trump now faces an impeachment inquiry and possible impeachment trial, he keeps slamming the Bidens. Even if reporters ask him questions that have nothing to do with the Ukraine or the Bidens or corruption, Trump keeps bringing up their names and the illegal things they never did.

Remember, actual guilt or innocence doesn’t matter with this game. What matters is innuendo. What matters is gossip. Then what really matters is how effectively you can string all your lies together with repetition. Such is the art of suggestive association — and, like most dictators and demagogues, Trump has mastered this sleazy art form.

All he has to do is keep repeating the names (Biden and son) with the bad thing (Ukrainian corruption that Biden and son had nothing to do with). He knows if he does this long enough he’ll get the results he wants. Then the news media, along with voters, will associate Joe Biden with corruption. Then the voters won’t vote for Biden in 2020 because he’s corrupt…Even if there’s no evidence to prove or even suggest Joe Biden is corrupt. Trump’s repetitive associations will work on destroying Biden’s character. Why argue with success? His smear machine has worked before.

With Hillary in 2016, his rant chants were “Crooked Hillary!” and “Lock her up!” Never mind that she had never been charged with or convicted of any actual crimes. Soon the crowds at his rallies became so convinced of her guilt that they cheered when he said he was going to throw her in jail after he got elected President.

Forget about due process! She’s Crooked Hillary!

Now Trump is applying the same tactic with the Bidens. As sitting President, he has wielded so much power with these false accusations that any interviews given or denials made from his targets are going to resemble guilt. Trump’s repetitious rants and mean tweets have psychologically conditioned his fellow Americans to believe both Bidens are crooks just like Hillary. As long as he keeps repeating enough lies long enough, he knows everybody will believe his lies are true.

Could a mudslinger like LBJ be turning over in his grave about The Donald’s latest smears and jeers? Maybe. I bet POTUS 36 never figured there would be another President who could make his dirty tricks look like playground pranks.