Parodic Exaggeration, Transparent Lying, and Conspiracy Thinking in US History

Abstract: Historians of the United States have not been sufficiently attuned to the prevalence of political dishonesty as a strategy within national politics. Particularly but not only at times of serious contention—including the Reconstruction era—political leaders, movements, and the press have often prevaricated, sometimes in ways intended to be understood as dishonest and instrumental speech by supporters and opponents alike. Donald Trump's and the MAGA movement's strategies of making transparently false claims, parodically exaggerating opponents' positions, and building conspiracy theories have long histories as methods to challenge hegemonic discourses. Exploring this context may shed light on today's political discourse.