As America navigates one of its most tumultuous political moments, Donald Trump’s recent public statements reveal a troubling new layer of confusion and self-delusion. After midnight on the eve of his departure for Israel and Egypt, the former president took to social media, publishing a bizarre post that casts a disturbing shadow over his grasp of reality and his role in the Capitol riot on January 6th.

At 12:38 a.m., Trump wrote, “The Biden FBI placed 274 agents into the crowd on January 6th. If this is so, which it is, a lot of very good people will be owed big apologies. What a scam. Do something. Three exclamation points.” This hallucination—Trump’s claim that Joe Biden, who was not president at the time, orchestrated FBI involvement in the Capitol riot—shows a disconnect so severe that it borders on the absurd.

Trump’s latest words betray a fundamental rewrite of history: he conveniently forgets that it was he, not Biden, who was president on that fateful day, directing the crowd to “fight like hell” and claiming he would march with them to the Capitol. He now seems to deny that he watched the violent mob attacking the Capitol from the comfort of the White House, taking no action for 187 minutes. Instead, he shifts the blame onto Biden, despite the fact that Biden was nowhere near the situation.

This troubling distortion of events—perhaps the most significant hallucination of his already well-documented public memory lapses—should be grounds for serious concern. If Joe Biden were to make such a comment, admitting confusion about his role on January 6th, there would be immediate calls for his resignation. Yet, Trump’s failure to accurately recall his actions is met with silence, not just from the media, but from the very political establishment that once called for swift action against any semblance of mental unfitness in public office.

The Dangers of Unchecked Power: Trump’s Mental State and Political Consequences

This latest episode is more than just a blip in the news cycle. It speaks to a larger, more worrying trend: Trump’s consistent evasion of responsibility and his apparent inability to grasp the gravity of his own actions. Even more concerning, his delusions are not confined to private moments—they are being broadcast to millions of Americans, with little pushback from the powers that be. And yet, despite his continual attempts to distort reality, there are no calls for his accountability, a disturbing departure from the way other leaders are scrutinized for similar lapses in clarity.

Governor J.B. Pritzker of Illinois has been one of the few to publicly call out Trump’s mental state, expressing concern over his apparent dementia and the failure of those around him to address it. “I do think he needs mental health help,” Pritzker stated, adding that those benefiting from Trump’s mental decline would not be the ones to intervene. His words, although brave, remain a rare example of public acknowledgment of the dangers Trump’s cognitive dissonance poses—not only to American democracy but to global stability.

Biden’s Successes Amidst Trump’s Delusions: Hostage Deal and Diplomacy

While Trump flounders in a sea of delusion, Joe Biden’s administration has quietly been securing major diplomatic victories. A recent statement by President Biden celebrates the release of 20 hostages, the last of the surviving captives held by Hamas since the October 7 attack on Israel. Biden’s work behind the scenes, alongside tireless efforts by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, has resulted in tangible results—105 hostages were freed in November 2023, and the final group of 20 was released just this week.

These victories are not the result of empty promises or hollow rhetoric; they reflect months of strategic negotiation. Biden’s involvement in securing the ceasefire deal, which led to the release of hostages and a reduction in violence, underscores his capacity for diplomacy and his commitment to securing American lives abroad. It stands in stark contrast to the self-absorbed chaos of Trump’s recent public statements.

The Question of Healthcare: Republicans in Crisis

While the Biden administration focuses on diplomacy, the American political landscape continues to struggle under the weight of the government shutdown. The Republican refusal to extend ACA tax credits—despite the fact that many Republican voters benefit from these programs—is at the heart of the shutdown crisis. The cost of healthcare continues to rise, and millions of Americans face losing vital coverage due to Republican resistance.

Surprisingly, some Republican voices, such as Marjorie Taylor Greene, have begun to break with their party’s stance on healthcare. Greene, traditionally a staunch opponent of Obamacare, now calls for the extension of ACA tax credits. Her shift highlights the growing divide within the GOP, as many Republicans begin to acknowledge the disastrous consequences of their party’s hardline stance on healthcare.

The rhetoric surrounding healthcare policy in the GOP often involves fearmongering about socialism, echoing arguments from Ronald Reagan, who warned that Medicare would destroy America. This rhetoric, however, remains completely divorced from the reality of the American healthcare system—where millions continue to struggle to afford basic care.

The Continuing Saga of Corruption: Tom Homan and the $50,000 Bribe

Meanwhile, the ongoing investigation into Tom Homan, a key figure in Trump’s immigration policies, sheds light on the troubling patterns of corruption within the Trump administration. Homan, who has been caught on FBI video accepting a bribe of $50,000 from undercover agents, remains free from prosecution, despite the overwhelming evidence against him.

In an increasingly bizarre defense, Vice President Mike Pence recently claimed that Homan did not engage in any criminal wrongdoing, even as the details of the bribe were captured on video. This marks yet another instance of the Trump administration’s willingness to protect its allies, even when their actions are criminal. The pattern of corruption—from Homan to the broader network of Trump loyalists—continues to stain the administration’s legacy.

The Big Lie Continues: Trump’s Political Survival

As these various crises unfold, one thing remains clear: Trump’s political survival hinges on his ability to distort reality and evade responsibility for his actions. Whether it’s his denial of responsibility for the Capitol attack or his feigned ignorance of the criminal activities of his allies, Trump continues to manipulate the truth to suit his needs. This culture of denial and self-deception not only undermines the integrity of American governance but emboldens those who seek to maintain power at any cost.

In the face of these challenges, Joe Biden’s steady leadership and diplomatic victories stand in stark contrast to the chaos and delusion that Trump has fostered. As the country struggles with its political and economic future, it is clear that the battle for the soul of America is far from over.