The Tarnishment of American Integrity

During recent remarks with UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President Trump made several boasts about the current state of the American economy. Simple fact checking revealed several preposterous fallacies in his nonsensical statements.

Even so, some of his closest political advocates and loyalists were not concerned with the President’s rhetoric. To a lay person, this was nothing more than a simple show of national pride.

The prominence of political rhetoric has always played a significant role in the reshaping of public perceptions. Especially here in the United States. All politicians engage in some form of rhetoric. Those who are skilled use this to persuade their constituents on their ability to govern and introduce effective policy.

The art of rhetoric is a timeless and classical discipline. Its genesis harks back well before the days of Aristotle, who studied it at great length. He himself defined rhetoric as “the ability, in each particular case, to see the available means of persuasion“.

Rhetoric is the art of persuasion that is built upon the understanding of human psychology. Mastering it requires skill, strategy, and knowledge. It is the ability to craft compelling arguments, engage audiences, and influence opinions.

Key Elements of Rhetoric
- Ethos (Credibility) – Establishing trust and authority in your argument.
- Pathos (Emotion) – Appealing to the audience’s feelings to create connection.
- Logos (Logic) – Using reason and evidence to support your claims.

Great rhetoricians knew how to balance these elements to craft masterful messages that resonate. They use techniques like:

Metaphors & Analogies – Making complex ideas relatable.
Repetition & Rhythm – Reinforcing key points for impact.
Storytelling – Engaging audiences through narratives.
Rhetorical Questions – Encouraging reflection and engagement.

It’s no mystery that politicians love rhetoric. But, when rhetoric becomes exaggerated or detached from reality, it contributes to public skepticism. Exaggerated claims and misleading statements from world leaders only exacerbates the discord in public trust. It is no wonder that careless political posturing is the main contributor to government cynicism.

The President would be prudent to follow the examples set by Martin Luther King, President Barack Obama, or John F. Kennedy.

Our country is not closed off and the world does not have blinders on. Anyone with a smartphone can easily fact check a statement. For example, President Trump’s claimed that egg prices went down “94 to 95% just in the last three months”.

That is not being rhetorical because it fails to be evidence based.

Egg prices were $8.17 in early March. As of May 2025, the national average cost of a dozen eggs is $3.45.

To calculate the percentage drop in the price of eggs, we use the formula:

Taking the peak price of $8.17 in early March and comparing it to the May price of $3.45:

That’s a 57.8% decrease in price—a dramatic drop! Quite the relief for anyone who loves their morning omelets. Sadly, it is far from the “95%” the President was claiming.

One year ago, in May 2024, the average price of a dozen eggs in the U.S. was $2.70—significantly lower than the current price of $3.45 in May 2025. That is 27.8% higher than what is was a year ago.

It would be unfair to pin President Trump as the reason for egg prices to sky-rocket. We all know it was because of the deadly avian flu epidemic that necessitated the mass culling of egg-laying hens.

What can’t be overlooked is the blatant disregard to be truthful. Especially in light of the clear evidence. If MAGA followers wish to characterize his actions as rhetorical politicking, they should be aware that he sucks at it. And when you can’t be rhetorical, the end result is embarrassment. Its a scalpel through the heart of American integrity.

Anne Slanders