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Comey gives his testimony and the contents seem fairly damning. There is complete silence from the Trump administration, even though Trump said he would be responding to the testimony live. Comey says he thinks he was fired due to the Russia investigation, says he thought Trump was asking for "loyalty" and found it disturbing. He also makes it completely clear that the intelligence community is certain that Russia interfered in the 2016 election.

At one point in the testimony, Comey mentions leaking some info to a friend of his in order to prompt a hearing/investigation into this whole thing. The information leaked was not classified information.

Trump's lawyers issue a statement basically saying Trump is off the hook, and Comey's testimony proves he did nothing wrong. Their statement literally says that Comey's testimony proved Russia wasn't interfering in the election, when Comey actually said the exact opposite.

Now someone has given Trump his phone back, and he decides to tweet:

"Despite so many false statements and lies, total and complete vindication...and WOW, Comey is a leaker!"

Are you really falling for this shit?

Comey gives his testimony and the contents seem fairly damning. There is complete silence from the Trump administration, even though Trump said he would be responding to the testimony live. Comey says he thinks he was fired due to the Russia investigation, says he thought Trump was asking for "loyalty" and found it disturbing. He also makes it completely clear that the intelligence community is certain that Russia interfered in the 2016 election. At one point in the testimony, Comey mentions leaking some info to a friend of his in order to prompt a hearing/investigation into this whole thing. The information leaked was _not classified information_. Trump's lawyers issue a statement basically saying Trump is off the hook, and Comey's testimony proves he did nothing wrong. Their statement literally says that Comey's testimony proved Russia wasn't interfering in the election, when Comey actually said _the exact opposite_. Now someone has given Trump his phone back, and he decides to tweet: "Despite so many false statements and lies, total and complete vindication...and WOW, Comey is a leaker!" Are you really falling for this shit?

12 comments

[–] phoxy 2 points (+3|-1)

Trump has been pushing the fake news angle very hard to undermine trust in journalists (except the ones he favours). Since most people are too busy or apathetic to go to the source or watch a boring hearing, it is a useful strategy. He is asserting his own reality and discrediting those who disagree with it: that's psychological manipulation or gaslighting.

Trump is also playing influence games with public opinion for those who aren't buying his reality, in the Comey attack ad.

Anyone who has experience with slimy people can see what is going on:

  1. The flattery. Compliments on what he perceives you to be most proud of. Buttering you up, making you more open.

  2. The approach. He makes a veiled request to see if you are willing to please. If you comply he knows you are open to deals or manipulation.

  3. The escalation. The requests get more bold and push the boundaries of what you find acceptable.

  4. The squeeze. He uses past requests you have honoured as leverage, blackmail, if a new task is too extreme or you get cold feet.

Of course it's all done verbally in person for deniability. If you don't play the game then you are of no use and discarded.