By John Q. Hosedrinker 
A recent ProPublica investigation reveals that Donald Trump may have engaged in the same conduct he has condemned in his political adversaries. The investigation found that Trump signed mortgages for two Palm Beach properties weeks apart in 1993, claiming each as his principal residence, while simultaneously renting them out. Mortgage-law experts suggest that although not necessarily illegal, this contradicts the “fraudulent” behavior Trump has accused others of. A White House spokesperson responded by stating that there was no “defraudation” and that the media’s allegations are false.
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Trump’s Own Mortgages Revealed to Be What He Calls Fraud
Honestly, were you even slightly surprised? The narrative around Trump and potential hypocrisy just seems to keep writing itself, doesn’t it? The recent revelations regarding his mortgages, and the accusations of fraud he himself has leveled at others, just reinforce the pattern. It’s a case of “do as I say, not as I do,” laid bare for everyone to see. And it’s hard to shake the feeling that this isn’t even the worst thing that’s come to light about him, given everything else that’s been alleged or proven.
It’s almost as if the strategy is to do what you are accusing others of, and then call them out for doing it. That way, anyone criticizing you sounds as if they are defending your actions. It’s a classic projection tactic, where you accuse others of the very things you’re guilty of. The irony, of course, isn’t lost on anyone paying attention. He’s been the self-proclaimed expert on “fraud” for years, yet here we are, potentially looking at a situation where he himself may have engaged in precisely what he denounces.
You’ve got to wonder if those who hold onto these beliefs about Trump, and why he’s supposedly above the law, really even believe it. It’s almost like a twisted form of performance art, isn’t it? The wealthy elite often get a free pass, at least in the court of public opinion. It’s a sad reality, but true, that it’s easy to get away with a lot when you’re rich, white, and powerful.
The whole situation also highlights how some people try to be frugal when they get rich. They’re so concerned with comparing their wealth to others that it drives them to greater levels of greed. It’s hard to fathom, for those of us who aren’t in that situation, but it happens. If there’s any chance of it being investigated, it should be aggressively pursued.
The accusations and the context are important. The reports detail how Trump, years ago, secured mortgages for properties while claiming they would be his primary residences, but then almost immediately rented them out. It’s the same type of action he’s labeled as “deceitful and potentially criminal” when he’s criticizing his political opponents. The fact that the properties went up for rent so soon after the mortgages were signed is what has made it such an easy target for criticism.
It’s also worth noting the defenses being used. The White House, at the time the events were revealed, tried to dismiss the allegations, saying “There was no defraudation. It is illogical to believe that the same lender would agree to defraud itself.” This is the kind of flimsy defense that’s become all too familiar. The White House also claimed this was just another media smear campaign. It’s a deflection, of course, and a clear attempt to muddy the waters and avoid the actual issue at hand.
And let’s be honest, it’s not exactly shocking news, is it? The pattern is clear. Accusation is confession. The whole “rules for thee, but not for me” attitude has been a hallmark of his persona. The fact that these mortgages are ancient history may provide a legal technicality, but it doesn’t diminish the optics of the situation. It’s another instance of actions that run counter to the image he projects.
The situation also touches upon a broader issue: the enforcement of mortgage fraud laws and who they are applied to. The fact that Trump has targeted others with accusations of the same behavior, while potentially engaging in it himself, brings the issue to the forefront. The hypocrisy is, as usual, glaring.
It’s easy to dismiss it as just another headline, another scandal in a long line of them. But it’s also a reminder that the standards and the rhetoric often diverge. It’s a situation that, even if legally permissible, clearly clashes with the very values and principles that were used to build a following. And the fact that this is all so predictable is probably the most disheartening aspect of it all. It underscores the lack of accountability, and the apparent disregard for the very rules he demands others follow.