International politics is the home ground of the wheeling-dealing elite where strategic ambiguity, propaganda, and national interest frequently intersect. With the curse of fake news around our necks, the question of whether truth matters is both timely and complex. While truth is the cornerstone of democratic accountability and reality of existence, it often takes a back seat to power, perception, and persuasion. That is why the irony in the phrase “perception is reality” is not lost on me! But still, does truth matter in today’s political world? Surprisingly – or perhaps not surprisingly – it doesn’t.
Consider exhibit A: Trump’s 100 days in power. President Trump used a rally in Michigan to mark what he claimed had been “the most successful first 100 days of any administration in the history of our country, according to many, many people”. Not utterly unexpected as his engagement style is “shouting the loudest makes it true”.
This tension – between fact and fiction – was richly demonstrated during the first 100 days of Donald Trump’s presidency, when purportedly numerous false claims about legislative achievements and international breakthroughs were used to goad all enemies: foreign and domestic.
Politics – international and even national – functions through the bedrocks of mutually shared understanding and trust
Consider for a moment the example this sets for the world? Lying is ok, if you can get away it. Don’t ponder about facts when fiction is as good, if not better.
The consequences of such behaviour reverberate far beyond US borders, raising serious questions about the role of truth in shaping international norms, diplomacy, and the global order. More often than not the first 100 days of a presidency are only symbolic. This is a time where general momentum and direction of the next four years is judged. But not for Trump. If the rally in Michigan is anything to go by, he will continue to harp on about his “beautiful successes” – perceived or otherwise. Some of his claims were ludicrous to say the least.
Passing the most legislation since Franklin Roosevelt, overseeing record economic growth through various steps, and collaborating international wins to reassert American dominance. But he forgets – in today’s world everyone is a statistician and a fact checker! Trump didn’t pass more legislation than Roosevelt in-fact he passed fewer bills than his recent predecessors during the same timeframe and many of those were minor or symbolic.
His claim that “gasoline prices are down by a lot” also fell foul of the eagle-eyed as average state prices were almost 75% as much as he had said. Egg prices – a pet peeve of his – is also not down by 87% and DOGE savings are nowhere near $150B.On the international front, he claimed early successes in dealings with China, NATO, and NAFTA that obfuscated scale and impact. His trade extravaganza accomplishments and resulting call of “200 countries want a deal with me” also doesn’t stand to reason as there are not even so many representative countries on the map!
This tension – between fact and fiction – was richly demonstrated during the first 100 days of Donald Trump’s presidency
All this doesn’t matter! He still has a majority of the American population behind him, congress at his mercy, Supreme Court standing for conservative values and the right (read: extreme right) eating out of the palm of his hand! These “exaggerated truths” are not merely domestic political theatre. They are part of a broader pattern of using conservative media icons to create similarly styled narratives to assert Trump’s grip domestically and America’s dominance globally.
Make no mistake, in the war between truth and narrative, the narrative – right or wrong – will win. While there are realists who argue that states pursue their national interests regardless of ideological or moral veneer, to them I say: what about the long run?
Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me! A false narrative can help secure objectives, and it also may not only be acceptable but necessary. Nevertheless, think of this – you wouldn’t go to a shop that sold you a lie the first time? Now, would you?
Truth is the cornerstone of democratic accountability and reality of existence
That is why such pragmatism carries risks. Politics – international and even national – functions through the bedrocks of mutually shared understanding and trust. Persistent falsehoods, especially from powerful actors and states, can corrode these foundations. For example, one of the less visible but critical costs of post-truth politics is the erosion of soft power – the ability to shape the preferences of others through appeal and attraction rather than coercion. In the last 100 days, that has gone for a six! It seems that as now truth has become more negotiable in international discourse, the broader framework of international law and order will face increased strain. So much so that autocratic leaders, seeing the US blur the line between fact and fiction, may feel emboldened to do the same!
If there is anything that is glaringly obvious in the Trump administration’s first 100 days, it is this: truth doesn’t matter in the short-term and can be manipulated for quick gains but equally that such distortions carry long-term costs. I know what Trump is thinking: long-term, what long-term?
