The nonpartisan website Politifact that compares statements to facts and then keeps track of the results found that 70 percent of what comes from Donald Trump are lies. From last August to this August Trump racked up over 1,000 falsehoods! He has become the master of the art of the lie.

In a recent national poll, 73 percent of the respondents don't believe a word that comes out of the White House. The Washington Post's Carl Bernstein believes Trump is a pathological liar. Trump's prominent penchant for untruth gives one pause when considering Bernstein's contention. However, Trump's dishonesty is of no concern to his Conservative base. In his supporters' eyes Trump's Teflon can not be worn away. It's as if Trump has given each of his supporters a "believe me no matter what I say or do potion" resulting in allowances being given for his egregious behavior.

Webster's dictionary defines cult as a sect with a devoted attachment to a person, principle, etc. A cult shows blind loyalty to its leader. I see a striking parallel here. Trump's base exhibits an unwavering allegiance whose mantra is "all is right with the Donald no matter what." Trump's following renders him an uncanny reverence regardless of how erratic, irrational or irresponsible his behavior. His word is taken as gospel no matter how distant from the truth it may be.

John Lown

Maybrook