David Cay Johnston on Trump's Ignorance and 'Con Artist' Tactics

Trump's Lack of Presidential Knowledge

• 🧠 Donald Trump is described as an appallingly ignorant man who doesn't understand the issues required of a US president.
• 🎯 His professors reportedly considered him the worst student they ever had.
• ⚠️ Despite his ignorance, he possesses a skill for pressuring people to achieve his desired outcomes.

The 'Attention Economy' and Stalled Deals

• 🎭 One interpretation of Trump's actions is that he uses social media and noise to divert attention, as seen with the paused 31 billion pound tech prosperity deal with the UK.
• 🤥 Johnston, who has covered Trump for 37 years, states there was no actual agreement, only talks, and that Trump has historically failed to deliver on promised global deals.
• 💰 The investigative journalist labels Trump as the greatest con artist in history, skilled at making people suspend critical judgment.

Unfulfilled Promises and Extortion Allegations

• 📉 Trump's promises, such as settling wars in Gaza and Ukraine or drastically lowering drug prices, have not materialized.
• ⚖️ Johnston refutes claims that Trump won cases against TV networks, stating they settled due to extortion – needing regulatory approvals from his administration.

Advice for UK Prime Minister

• 🤝 To effectively deal with Trump, the smartest appointment for a UK ambassador would be someone masterful at flattery.
• 🎭 Trump is described as being highly susceptible to flattery due to a lack of empathy and a desperate need for external validation.
• 🇬🇧 A skilled flatterer could manipulate Trump to steer him away from actions damaging to the United Kingdom, requiring the ambassador to sublimate their ego.

Lawsuit Against BBC

• 🗣️ The speaker mentions plans to sue the BBC for allegedly putting words in his mouth, possibly using AI, to misrepresent his statements, particularly regarding January 6th.