Ignoring Facts Quotes

Eckner’s team had known that the hydrogen gas they used in all the Zeppelins of the day was very explosive. They also knew about helium which while non-flammable, was heavier and more expensive. They had developed procedures that they thought were safe for using the hydrogen, and with no problems with hydrogen they dreamed of having airships all over the world, replacing ocean liners for passenger travel. The fundamental science however was clear that any kind of spark or minor explosion could cause the entire airship to ignite. That is what happened with the Hindenburg in Lakehurst, New Jersey where 36 people died. Dr. Eckner, an anti-Nazi, wanted to partner with America to invest in the helium technology, but Hitler’s regime would not hear of it as it would make the United States the world headquarters and maintenance center for the world’s airships. That destroyed confidence in airships and the very promising technique died despite the fact that had they followed the scientists and used helium, airships would probably be in use today.

More so than any other presidential candidate in history, Trump repeatedly told outright lies and exaggerated most of what had a grain of truth. However, he tended not to see this as lying, and not to be embarrassed when caught by fact checkers, journalists or other candidates. His response was almost always to point out how much public support he had, how many people attended the speech where he made the statement, how well he was doing in the polls. He had a hard core group of supports who did not seem to be concerned with this behavior, and it was difficult for opponents or even journalists to argue that those supports were ignorant, foolish or in error as explained in this quotation.