“Big Brother” is a fictional character in George Orwell’s novel Nineteen Eighty-Four. He is the leader of a totalitarian state wielding total power and every citizen is under constant surveillance through visual telescreens.

Trump relies on the “Big Lie”, as discussed in Essay One. He lies about almost everything, and cannot escape his reality television mentality. Instead of trying to govern in a responsible fashion, he tours the country with his scream, holding rallies attacking the press and the judiciary. At what point will he refuse to follow court orders? At what point will he refuse to follow the laws passed by Congress?

His version of Big Brother does not watch us, but rather tells us what to do—- all the time and every day, through his tweets and pop-up news ‘conferences’. He spews anger at all who won’t follow his dictates. None of  his comments reflect thoughtful analysis, of which he is obviously incapable. The hallmarks of his business, entertainment and personal careers are hatred of minorities, racism, predatory sexual behavior, extravagance, and cruelty toward others.

Knowing that a free press is on to him, and understands his true values and behavior, he attacks those news organizations that criticize him with the goal of intimidating our free press. He is following former Speaker Newt Gingrich’s advice to disregard the ‘mainstream’ press, and to communicate directly to his followers via Twitter and other modern technology. His attempts to intimidate our free press and undermine its independence play well with his most ardent and gullible followers. For the rest of us it is imperative that we be steadfast in our defense of a free press without which there is no democracy.

His lies are a matter of grave concern as they call into question his mental health. Some call him a pathological liar. But the basis of his incessant lying and invented stories must be examined. Perhaps he really does not understand the difference between what he imagines and what is real. If he hears something that resonates with his fears and biases, such as the baseless claim that President Obama ordered the wiretapping of Trump tower, he processes that with minimal if any thought and immediately goes on a Twitter rant. And those trying to cover for his lies simply call them “alternative facts”. A fact is verifiable. An “alternative fact” is a lie.

Having been a reality TV star and a mogul who ruthlessly built a business by cheating others, he is unfettered by reason or standards of decency that apply to civilized people. He speaks without thinking and then actually believes and repeats whatever nonsense or lies he uttered. Is it possible that he is incapable of distinguishing between the real world and his skewed perceptions of reality? His ignorance and arrogance, coupled with his imagined reality,  creates a toxic mix which presents a clear and present danger to us all.

To a large degree the judiciary is not falling in line with his orders. There are hopeful signs that Congress will not stomach his lying. But he will persevere in rallying his true believers, perhaps believing that being president is nothing more than a continuation of his entertainment career. He energizes them with his reality TV performances and draws energy from their enthusiastic response, particularly when he plays on their fears.

Where does this end? Will Trump succeed in expanding his personal autocratic power or will Americans reassert their commitment to democracy? The answer to this question will not come from Trump’s loyalists. They will follow him over any cliff. It will be determined by Republican and Independent “establishment” supporters who voted for him out of party allegiance or for lower taxes.

Trump’s  attacks on the Constitutional guarantees of free speech and a free press must be resisted. Trump uses Big Brother methods to push his Big Lies, but as Orwell wrote “In a time of deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” It is time for “We The People” who cherish democracy and the Constitutional rights to free speech and a free press to speak out and become revolutionaries.

This is a Cassandra Warning…Protect the Free Press.

–Cassandra