Charlatans

"Charlatans"by Moises Naim and Quico Toro give many examples of charlatans and as a skeptic you will be amused or maybe disgusted.  The authors have determined that there are things to learn.  First the victims are not necessarily stupid or ignorant.  The perpetrators do not rely on persuasion.  You, yes YOU are vulnerable.   

A charlatan is defined as "a public figure who manipulatively champions the dream that a group of people share in order to exploit them without overt coercion, turning those marks into enthusiastic participants in their own  exploitation."

The book is listed as published in 2024 which means the research was completed ahead of time.  In one section they point out that one charlatan foolishly predicted that Joe Biden would be replaced as a candidate by someone before the election.  So, they too were taken in.  More on politics later.

Charlatans have existed for a very long time.  Mamugna visited Venice before 1589 and was elected an official alchemist for the republic.  He was able to create the illusion that he could turn metal into gold.  For awhile he was able to live a life of luxury.  Eventually reality brought him down to earth.  Crypto currency is thought to be another easy path to wealth that few really understand.

Arif Naqvi from Pakistan started off legitimately as a successful entrepreneur.  However he couldn't abide failure and soon switched to setting up an elaborate Ponzi scheme where new clients helped to pay for the earlier clients.  To build his credibility and get a big infusion of capital he was able to get Bill Gates to back him.  Eventually like all Ponzi schemes his scheme collapsed.

Alex Jones was a believer in conspiracies and was able to locate several people who shared the dream of dragging down authority figures.  Perhaps his most dastardly deed was turning a tragic shooting incident at Sandy Hook Elementary School into an extreme reaction where dozens of followers turned on the parents.  The parents were considered actors who were trying to do away with the Second Amendment.  One parent moved from Connecticut to Washington State and still received death threats.  Eventually the parents ganged up with legal help and stopped Alex Jones for the moment.  

A story I read in Michael Cohen's book, "Disloyal" explained how he got a critical endorsement for Donald Trump from Jerry Falwell Jr.  Basically Cohen ingratiated himself with the Falwell family, built up a trust relationship to the point he learned of very damaging circumstances that he used to force them to endorse a most un Christian candidate, Donald Trump.  That endorsement had been sought by Ted Cruz who as an evangelical Christian thought he had it sewn up.  A very significant choice that ended up with what we endure today.  Why did Jerry Falwell Jr. have such an impact?

 

He did not have the preaching ability of his father, but became in charge of Liberty University steering the children of evangelical Christians to this university.  Developed an online presence.  His motive was profit oriented, but he knew he could use his famous name to gain support.  He used Google and the Department of Veteran Affairs to recruit.  His word carried a lot of weight with Christian Evangelicals.  see http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2021/11/disloyal-michael-cohen-version.html

Trump would provide many examples, but the authors focused on Trump University.  Before getting in operation the Trump team was charged with improperly using the title "University".  That was just ignored and steps were taken to set up a curriculum which really just used material already rehashed.  At first outsiders pointed out the dishonesty of the scheme and eventually insiders realized they were being ripped off.  As he was running for the presidency Trump agreed to a $25 million penalty.  This was before his first term.  The authors missed his second term where his followers supported a range of policies that hurt them.  Tump illustrates another trait of charlatans by humiliating references to his enemies.

As outsiders we think that the victims are not well educated or smart.  In fact some very intelligent people have fallen.  The trick is not persuasion, but targeting people with a dream, that are what the authors call

"marks."  Modern technology makes it easier to identify exploitation targets.  The algorithms used by Facebook and Google for example are designed to drive engagement.  

 

As insiders we all like to confirm the rightness of our dreams.  We can latch onto confirmation very easily We use motivated reasoning to justify our hope.  For many, even contrary evidence actually reinforces their beliefs.

What can be done?  The authors feel it is very tricky, especially with modern technology it is easier to identify suitable targets.  Spotting the charlatans out to exploit your dreams has become a critical survival skill.  

On a wide basis we need to strengthen legal protections.  Google has had some success with pre-bunking non scientific ideas.  Social isolation is a risk, but have to be considered carefully.

For individuals it is recommended that we are humble, realizing we can be vulnerable.  Having a network of family and friends is a check on outsiders who want to take advantage of us  If something is too good to be true, it probably is.  Fast thinking needs at times to be replaced by slow thinking.

An earlier blog on Moises Naim; http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2022/11/the-revenge-of-power.html

DISLOYAL: The Michael Cohen Version

 Do you believe him?  He tells a compelling story that seems to make sense.  BUT he is an admitted and convicted liar.  He also wants revenge.   He sounds very repentant, but also offers explanations.  He knew all along that Trump was a huge liar and racist, but he admired his audacity, charisma and ruthless ability to get things done.  His role was to interpret Trump's meaning with his indirect commands (to avoid incriminating himself) and do whatever necessary to fulfill a task.

Perhaps the bigger question is how did such a man as Trump win the American election, even he didn't think he would win?  Michael certainly played a critical role and was witness to many events that made it possible.

From what I read, his story fits well with other information.  It seems certain that the information is selective.  He does explain his motives in a believable manner.  As with many other authors with inside information there was an attempt to block publication, but Cohen is a lawyer.

Do not criticize Trump's hair or his wealth.  He wants you to believe that women are attracted to him and he takes advantage of that.

His appeal to evangelicals is mystifying.  It makes no sense they would support an adulterer and a man so transparently dishonest.  Of course abortion was a big concern as was the gay culture and if truth be told civil rights.  There is a hard core of believers who anticipate the Apocalypse and their ascension to heaven provided Israel is controlled by Jews.  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2019/12/evangelists-and-trump.html

Michael Cohen suggests a more sinister factor.  Years before when Trump identified evangelicals as a critical factor and had a meeting with them it led to a friendship between Cohen and Jerry Falwell Jr. and his wife.  That friendship started innocently enough when Cohen learned their daughter was a Justin Bieber fan and he was able to procure VIP seats for a Bieber concert.  A few years later they felt they could trust Cohen with a more delicate task, extricating them from an extortion attempt based on some semi nude photos.  Cohen was able by intimidation to resolve this situation.

Michael claims to have done too many favors to recount in this book.  One example was to force schools Trump had attended to not release his records.  He recounts an ironic negotiation with Trump regarding the Stormy Davis extortion attempt.  Trump wanted to deny the relationship, but the election was only a short time away and Cohen responded with "Just because something isn't true doesn't mean it can't hurt you."  Fits well with Trump's philosophy who loved making false accusations.

Michael credits himself with encouraging a presidential campaign.  Manipulating polls, suppressing information, doing favors were some of his roles. After Trump purchased the Doral Golf course he got involved with a dispute with a paint contractor and Benjamin Moore.  Trump specified a low grade quality paint, but when it deteriorated demanded it be done over refusing to pay for it, getting Michael to negotiate.  

He was also very involved with suppressing information about another of Trump's sex scandals.  Not only to keep them out of public view, but also to help placate Melania.

Many factors helped Trump to win.  The James Comey announcements just ahead of the election.  Cohen credits the enormous amount of free press given to Trump.  Usually the result of outrageous tweets and other statements.  Trump was a master of using the press.  He used his connections to plant false stories about his primary rivals with perhaps the most effective one accusing Ted Cruz's father of being involved with the Kennedy assassination.  An incomplete summary of the enablers:  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2017/07/trump-enablers.html

As I recall a cartoonist suggested that it wasn't Trump's character that attracted favorable attention, but that he hated the same people that they hated.  He was pretty blatant stoking racist sentiments of large segments of Americans (deplorables if you will).  Others liked his tax and deregulation ideas.  

Russia  did play a role, but Cohen thinks it was not a carefully thought out plan from Trump's perspective.  Putin hated Hillary Clinton for her criticisms of the Russian 2011 election.  Trump admired Putin for his autocratic ways that enabled him to be one of the very richest men in the world.  Paul Manafort, fresh from dirty deeds on behalf of Russia, in Ukraine, undoubtedly made connections more feasible and we know Donald Trump Jr. eagerly hoped the Russians could give dirt on Hillary, but claims they didn't.  

After all that, it seems another perspective on the Russian influence is worth reading:  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2019/06/house-of-trump-house-of-putin.html

Interviewed by Chuck Todd, November 28th, 2021 Cohen characterized Trump as "Grifting off Americans."  He also felt that Trump would delay announcing a presidential candidacy for 2024 to the last minute and then decline because he fears humiliation, but in the meantime sees an opportunity for grifting.  He feels there is enough documentation to indict Trump right now. 

Trump is still a celebrity, but underneath he is a con man with little respect for Americans.  Many books and articles have chronicled his many mistakes and deceptions.  Like many others I have been discouraged by how his many victims actually worship him.  As a Canadian I see Trump as a blot on America and can only hope that enough Americans, especially those in authority do something so that America can move forward.

Just a reminder of some of the damage we will be a long time fixing:  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2019/10/the-non-indictable-sins-of-trump.html

Compromised

 There are a lot of anti-Trump books and I thought I had read enough of them, but then he is still free to rant egotistical madness to audiences.  Peter Strzok had a good case, but it was distracted because of an affair and opinionated texts he had.  He uncovered evidence that should have added to the case against Trump and needs to be heard.

We tend to think where there is smoke there must be fire.  There has been a great deal of smoke regarding Russian intrusions into American politics including a long history of Trump dealing with Russia and numerous contacts from his team with Russian insiders.  Paul Manafort was a campaign manager who had worked in Ukraine to bring about a pro Russian administration at first successful, but eventually overturned.  It was noted that the only effort by the Trump team to effect official Republican policy was to eliminate financial aid to Ukraine who was fighting off a Russian invasion.

The reading is slow and more detailed than one might want and I would describe the tone as "defensive."  But that lends to credibility.  There is much information withheld because it is classified.  The affair that distracted from his mission is only referred to near the beginning with the explanation in the interests of his family he will not be explaining it.

We learn that Peter has a long history in international affairs.  At age 8 he watched his father burn sensitive documents in Tehran at the time of the Iranian Revolution.  After that he was taken to Burkina Faso and Haiti where he came to understand the abuses of autocratic dictators. 

Involved with the investigation of Hilary Clinton's emails.  Concluded there was a lot of mishandling (common enough), but no criminal intent and not essentially different from other politicians  Resented resources devoted to that while more serious investigations starved for resources.

He had been involved with Russians infiltrating American society.   Some of the Russian tactics are recounted with one of the key ones being they seek to gain what they called "Kompramat", but what we might think of as "Compromised."  Once they are able to find some dirty secret the Russians feel they can force such an individual to do what they want.  We actually do know some compromising information about Trump, but suspect a lot more.

The Soviet undercover agents Strzok uncovered ended up being part of a prisoner exchange with the Russians.  Peter notes that one of the Soviet "traitors" involved, later was a victim of a poisoning attempt using known and unique Soviet methods.

During his campaign Trump declared he had no business connections to Russia while we have learned he was having Michael Cohen negotiating for a Russian Tower.  Probably would not have deterred very many of his supporters, but the Russians held back, perhaps because they had more serious secrets and wanted Trump to win. 

One interesting detail was that Russians look for birth certificates of people who died young.  In one case they dug up Canadian records (probably a trifle harder to trace in America) used in one of the counter-intelligence cases.

The so called Steele Dossier attracted a lot of excitement, but according to Strzok it was not as big a factor to open an investigation as reports of George Papadopoulos bragging about Russia offering election support.  The striking bit about a "golden shower" may or may not be true, but Trump's reaction was strange--he did not deny, but was offended that it was claimed prostitutes were involved and then asked what year it was.  The author speculates that Trump thought he was famous and powerful enough not to have to deal with prostitutes and that the year (2013) implied there might have been different incidents on different years. 

Most of the solid information that the FBI was able to assemble concerned staff members and not Trump directly.  It is hard not to wonder how these contacts would be unknown to Trump.  One key connection was when Paul Manafort and Rick Gates provided detailed polling information to Konstatin Kilimnik.  We do know Russians were very skilled at directing social media where it could be most effective.

Trump found ways to get rid of pesky bureaucrats like Comey.  The next day after firing Comey he forbade the media while he talked with Russian diplomats in the White House

Peter had made some texts that conveyed some of his political thoughts and once they were uncovered it led to his being taken off the Trump investigation (for the Mueller Report) then to losing  accessibility and he endured threats to him and his family and finally was fired.  Public servants are entitled to personal opinions, but can also be expected to maintain an objective approach to their jobs.  Trump several times called Peter a traitor.  It was part of Trump's campaign to discredit the Mueller Report that Peter had contributed to. 

The Mueller Report was taken by Attorney William Barr who reviewed it and provided a summary that in effect misled.  I also believe that several classified sections may well have hidden incriminating evidence.  Peter testified both behind closed doors and in public and noted that in public politicians seem more interested in grandstanding than in determining the truth.

It does seem strange that after decades of the Republicans castigating Russian efforts that Trump welcomed their contributions to their campaign and the self-righteous power hungry Republicans went along with it. 

Trump still has supporters.  To me Hilary Clinton was not far wrong when she declared they were "deployables" in many cases, racists (at the very least tolerant of racists), shallow celebrity worshippers and otherwise resistant to necessary change.  Hopefully this book will at least arm sane people with the logic.

Links to other anti-Trump posts  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2019/06/house-of-trump-house-of-putin.html

http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2018/11/fear-another-anti-trump-book.html 

http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2018/08/the-trump-campaign-from-journalist.html

http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2018/02/hillary-clintons-what-happened.html 

http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2019/03/the-death-of-truth-by-michiko-kakutani.html