Defamation Nation

Make truth grate again.

This is the pot-kettle syndrome with a vengeance.

   The candidate has demanded that the man who wrote his book for him return all the money he has been paid over the past 26 years since "The Art of the Deal" was published.
   In a letter to writer Tony Schwartz, the candidate's lawyer alleged defamation of the candidate, and threatened a lawsuit unless Schwartz return half the advance and all the royalties he collected for writing the book.
   Such a vengeful tactic is typical. Donald Trump has a history of refusing to pay for work done if he decides he doesn't like it, for whatever reason. This time, however, it has taken him 26 years to decide he doesn't like the work Schwartz did in writing the book that helped to make Trump famous.
   All this came to light after an interview published in The New Yorker magazine in which Schwartz detailed all the reasons Trump should not be elected, based on his experiences in preparing the book.  Schwartz said he remained quiet until now, but could do so no longer. The magazine interview was written by New Yorker staff writer Jane Mayer, who has also come under fire for her book, "Dark Money," about the Koch brothers and other billionaires who use their money to influence political decisions that favor their business agenda.
   Trump has claimed full credit for writing his book, but Schwartz maintains Trump made only minor changes, mostly deleting one passage critical of another man who had become a partner of sorts.
   But for all the allegations of defamation, here's a reality check: If it's true, it's not defamation. Moreover, the candidate's rant exemplifies the pot-kettle syndrome with a vengeance. If Trump can claim the right to sue over comments defamatory and derogatory to him, then all those whom he has criticized have the same right, since Trump has used terms like liar, crooked, corrupt, criminal, and many others against his opponents.
   In addition, the threat of a lawsuit fits the candidate's call for looser libel laws "so we can win more money." This seems to be the driving force to all of the candidate's efforts over a lifetime. It's not about getting anything done, it's about getting more money. That is also behind his well documented strategy of stiffing contractors for work done at his casinos and other business ventures, paying non-union or undocumented immigrant workers less than they deserve, "renegotiating" contracts after the work is done, and paying himself big bucks while a Trump project goes bankrupt.
   It is the duty and responsibility of journalism to report every side of an issue. Or, as Harry S. Truman once said, "If you don't like the heat, stay out of the kitchen."
   Here's another guideline: If you don't want to be called out as a liar, don't lie.
   Meanwhile, journalists are duty bound to monitor the speeches and claims of prominent people and political candidates and expose them when they are ethically challenged truth-benders. And thanks to digital memories and search engines, this is far easier than it was in the years BC (Before Computers).