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Character Assassination
It’s ugly. No one will deny the intensity and revolting events that have taken place since the election of Donald Trump. In one sense, destroying another’s reputation is not new; but the collaboration in order to take down the President and his administration is a process I’ve not seen in my lifetime. It’s character assassination. I’d like to define that term, provide a few examples of the ways it’s been practiced historically, and how is different in these times.
Character assassination is slandering a person with the intention of destroying public confidence in that person. Further, I believe it is an evil act. Dennis Prager explains that these actions actually violate the Ten Commandments, specifically the Eighth Commandment, “Do not steal.” After explaining how stealing a person (enslaving) is prohibited, as is taking away a person’s property, he talks about the most egregious type of stealing:
Stealing a person’s good name—whether through libel or slander or gossip—is a particularly destructive form of theft. Because unlike money or property, once a person’s good name has been stolen, it can almost never be fully restored.
There are many methods for assassinating peoples’ character:
Discredit them, showing their arguments and decisions are weak and they are incapable in their work.
Use defamation, damaging the good reputation and name of others.
Demonize them, turning them into bad people that everyone hates, such that anything they do will be considered bad.
Dehumanize them, treating them as a ‘thing’ and framing them as non-human with negligible values.
I believe we have seen all of these tactics widely used against Donald Trump. If we are to approach this subject honestly, we also have to look at the attacks that have been made by the right against Trump’s opponents. If we are relying on facts, without the strategies listed above, and refraining from hyperbole as much as we possibly can, we may or may not be assassinating a person’s character.
There are countless examples of character assassination in our history. Abraham Lincoln may have sustained the worst verbal and written onslaughts. The media frequently called him an ape, a baboon, a monster, a Negro, an idiot, and a buffoon. His actual performance allows us today to see his greatness and how disgusting these attacks were. So the passing of time can eventually mend the damage of one’s reputation.
Several differences set our times apart from past actions of character assassination. One is the role of the media. The media have demonstrated an overwhelming left slant for many years; they have always denied this label, trying to show their unbiased credentials. Today, the media blatantly, almost proudly, flaunt their liberal bias and declare their willingness to distort the truth. Attacking President Trump by demonizing and discrediting him in any way becomes a badge of honor. I think it is fair to say that they want to destroy him. There are those who believe that the media, not the Left or the Democrat party, are driving the rhetoric about Trump.
The far left and the Democratic Party also have no qualms about destroying Trump. The lies, distortions and demonizing that they have attached to Trump are too numerous to mention here. In spite of actions and proof to the contrary, his mental and physical health have been questioned; in spite of his support of the middle class and tax breaks, they deny these benefits have gone to the American people; in spite of his promise to de-regulate government and trying to eliminate Obamacare, he has been accused of essentially calling for death sentences for the American people. The media, of course, publicize these attacks.
Organizations that have been celebrated for their ethics and non-partisan work until now, appear to be working with the media and the Democrats. The FBI, and potentially the DOJ, have joined the fray.
The difference in these times for those engaging in character assassination is the level of coordination and complicity by the media, the Left and the Democrat Party, and the intelligence community.
Maybe we should have seen these extreme efforts coming for a long time. Or maybe it just needed a controversial, obnoxious, non-politically correct presidential nominee, now President, to strip off the masks of greed, hatred, and evil.
I think a key reason that the groundwork was laid for these attacks is the decay of the moral fiber of this country. Secularism and its rejection of Judeo-Christian values show how easily we carry out our desire for revenge, for winning, for destruction and how incapable we have become of demonstrating respect and compassion.
I don’t mean to suggest that people shouldn’t be subject to criticism; that’s not the point. We do, however, need to look at our motives, at the tone of our language, the amount of facts vs. hyperbole, and whether we are maintaining our own integrity when we write or speak.
My final message is this: I have found myself disparaging people in ways that are truly hateful and hyperbolic. It has become easier over time, as I act out my rage against forces that I can’t control. I want a scapegoat, someone to blame, to hold accountable. But if I’m not careful, I will turn into the very people and institutions I despise.
I need to be stronger. I need to be more conscious. I need to be true to my beliefs and values. I am the one who wants and expects to be held to a higher standard.
What about you?
Published in Culture
True, but the usual follow-through is to dismiss his policies based on his (apparent) lack of decency.
Whenever I get together with my old friends (some known over 56 years), our langauge gets so salty, it would probably make Trump blush – maybe.
My thing is Trump never hid who he was, and I find that refreshing. If Trump uses “colorful” language – even in public – I can accept it. However, if someone like Mitt Romney used the same language – even in private – I’d find it odd, and be less likely to give him slack.
George, I have been following Susan for some time now. She has not been shy about criticizing Trumps deficiencies in his character. Must his deficiencies be itemized to please you ?
I criticize him often . His actions generate vitriol. But I will not accept the kind of attacks that have been launched against him. I think I’ve adequately distinguished between criticism and character attacks. And revisiting the past serves no purpose. He’s president.
Thank you, Kevin. I appreciate your observation.
The devil can quote scripture for his own purposes.
This statement is false. No one who take policy seriously, in conservative circles, dismiss his policies. The Left does because they do not accept good policy prescriptions. But I have written Posts, and made comments here, about how much I like most of his policies. Most Skeptics do. Even NeverTroupers do, even though I hate that phrase. We just accuse Trump of being mean, and unfit for office. But we love his policies. I have never understood why our critics can’t understand that.
Perhaps I shouldn’t respond. But I just need to make clear that I started this because I was responding to your Post. I just think that it is wrong, and does not help your cause, not to even mention that the biggest character assassinator of all is now President. Doing this will not detract from your respect for the office. It would, in fact, reinforce the point: That character assassination is wrong – no matter who does it!
I don’t remember the exact moment, but at some point during 2016 or early 2017 I began ignoring links to Gateway Pundit and devaluing posts that linked to that site, as every time I visited it it was full of hysterical speculation. I think they ran a lot of Pizzagate stuff, and that was my main exposure to them.
I’ve never heard anything about its sympathy toward Nazis, until now, but I don’t pay any attention to it. That also sounds hysterical. However, if they are simpatico with Alex Jones/InfoWars, I’m not inclined to take them seriously, and they may have rubbed shoulders with a variety of undesirables.
Thanks for your reflections, @dorkk. The larger question is whether CPAC should be telling Pamela Geller, whom they picked to staff a panel, whether or not she could select someone or not. Did they have refusal rights? I suspect they may have been gunshy, after the disaster with Milo Y, but one could ask if they showed the best judgment inviting him anyway.
Romans 12:17-21 American Standard Version (ASV)
17 Render to no man evil for evil. Take thought for things honorable in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as in you lieth, be at peace with all men. 19 Avenge not yourselves, beloved, but give place unto [a]the wrath of God: for it is written, [b]Vengeance belongeth unto me; I will recompense, saith the Lord. 20 But [c]if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him to drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head. 21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
I like Pamela Geller. They should have cut her some slack if they weren’t specific about the arrangements. They could have just issued a statement.
Thanks, @bryangstephens. I’m also reminded that the Jews were told on a number of occasions not to hate their enemies, including the Egyptians who enslaved them for 400 years.
Well, she can certainly be controversial, but they knew that. Wasn’t she the one who ran the contest for pictures of Mohammed?
I think an organization should be able to nix someone from a panel at their own conference. Again, I don’t know whether their POV on Gateway Pundit is accurate, but if the purpose of your conference is political messaging, you should be able to exclude someone who you think might corrupt or distract from your messaging.
The powers of conservatism inc are part of the same party as hiliary Clinton. They are part of the party of power, vs the party of eveyone else. They are members of the same group who threw the democrat primary to Clinton. It is all about having the right people in power. Trump is not the right person.
I might point out, that on the last Ricochet podcast, we were told that Trump corrupts everyone. That is a slander against every single member of the Trump administastration and supporter. That statement was supported by pundits on the podcast. Peter stood against it.
When we are to the point where the Right is willing to say Peter Robinson is corrupt, then we are through the looking glass. We are not talking about rheotoric on the campaign trail (For which Cruz the injured party, got over it) but a slander against 90% of the GOP voters.
I am used to slander from the Left, but now, the Right does it too. Therefore, they are part of the same group of elites, insiders or bi-coastals who clearly look down on me.
I support Trump. I am not the hater. The people calling me crazy and a cultist and telling me I have sold my soul, they are teh haters.
Not sure I agree with you, but that’s okay. Unfortunately, they may have had reasons after all for not wanting him there; here’s an example.
He’s a real mess in that sense from what little I know. The leftist machine has millions of punks in their mother’s basements ready to pounce.
Worse than that: she dared show those pictures ( real) of Al-Husseini the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem meeting with his friend and ally Hitler. Oh! Bad taste!
Bad taste , yuh, I’ll say. It makes me wanna barf.
One of the things I’ve decided, Bryan and it’s been hard, is that I’ve stopped caring what other people think of me–especially those I don’t respect. It’s always nice to be liked and respected, but when people don’t–meh. I continue to be puzzled at the people on the right who attack Trump (and please let’s not go down that road); I do understand their not liking him and not respecting him. I don’t like him either. But I’m frankly baffled at their ongoing diatribes. He’s not going to change. He’s getting some things done. If a person dislikes my wishing him well because they don’t like him, that’s unfortunate. I am also not going to change my views because others don’t like him. ‘Nuf said.
Darn it, Hypatia, you never tell us how you really feel!! ;-)
To say Susan Quinn is corrupted is crazy too. You are the great center of Ricochet, if you ask me. Wise woman.
I know you will reject the moiker. True none the less.
You’re very kind, Bryan. Oh, did someone call me corrupted? How intriguing! ;-) I called myself a schoolmarm on another post.
The last podcast said Trump corrupts everyone. Implied.
See, that’s precisely what I’m saying about people like that. I. Don’t. Care.
(Not saying I don’t care about what you are saying!)
Campaigns are a lot of hot air. During campaigns, politicians of every stripe insult and demean each other. Trump kind of proved the ridiculousness of campaign rhetoric. The serious people with coherent philosophies were rejected, and we ended up with the worse personal character candidates on both sides. If Hillary won, she would be a rich source of right (and possible bern lovers) slamming. I will say, Hillary and Trump seem to be people without shame; a plus for an ambitious politician.
What is troubling is the contempt the left holds against the right to the point of believing elections are invalid if their person doesn’t win. They spent GW’s eight years harping on it, and will spend however many years Trump is in office, I assume. The left (and right) succession and fleeing the country threats are evidence of intolerance of electoral outcomes, I think.
Let’s hope all the independents out there are seeing how irrational they are. I’ve heard that they are getting tired of the Left’s ranting.
Susan, I have to say, I kinda like Trump on a personal level. I know he has gobs of baggage. When I look at him, I see him thru a filter of his virtue’s not his demons. If he tried to hide his demons I most likely would not feel this way. He really doe’s not care what you think of him. This is why he is free to act as he sees fit in the face of ungodly opposition. No other person on the R side compares in this way.
I am charitable toward him because he acts on my behalf in a way no politician has in my life time . Not even Reagan. The other reason I am charitable toward him. I believe if he were to visit my shop, me all covered in dust with glue blotches on my pants legs and shirt. He would not look down on me or think me less than his billionaire self. Instead I see him looking at the furniture I was crafting and say. “That’s amazing, wish I could do that, well done” The people in coal country, steel country, farm country, auto country, oil country, stock yards, shipping docks, can see this. The pearl clutching detractors just don’t have a clue and detest him, even as he battles the domestic enemies of America on their behalf. Bottom line. He love’s the America that was, the same one I love. He want’s to restore that America if possible and I love him for it. Now, if he wanted to date my daughter. Now just hold your horses pardner !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And just get movin on!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I love this.
There is too much government and centralization in this country and it is a cruel and very serious matter that it has to be captured with politics.
Kevin, you are such a big-hearted, generous man! And your statement is so coherent and full of common sense. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts. I love being able to see the man through your eyes. Regarding your daughter, good choice!