He knows they’re lies. He’s a PT Barnum, selling snake oil. He knows to make them big lies, make them outrageous even, and persist. Keeps the attention on him and the myths persist.

typical polotician really. lesson number one, don't ever trust what governments say.

At this point it doesn't matter if he believes his own bullshit, he's wreaked so much havoc. And his ever-loyal cult only compounds the offense. #RTMFA

The man is off his rocker by no stretch of imagination. He probably does believe his lies. By doing so, he is not making America great again.

I have a brother whose behavioral patterns are just like Trump's. I think for both of them, they truly believe whatever they say in the moment. They live in their own worlds and it makes sense to them. They easily forget what they've said in the past and have no awareness of even completely reversing or denying something they've said in the past.

It could be a bit of both but according to "Fear - Trump in the White House" by Woodward, it appears that Trump actually believes most of what he says. It also appears that he is a pathological liar and a narcissist to the extreme.

I think a lot of it is orchestrating chaos

I think it's both. Even if they know they are lying in the beginning, narcissists are often able to convince themselves, over time, that the most ridiculous things they say are actually true.

The answer is c), both. He has every one who listens confused, and he himself is tangled in a web of confusion and lies. It's not that he lies or can't tell the truth, he can't tell the difference.

I don't think he even considers whether he believes what he says, he just says whatever he thinks make him look good at the moment. Narcissism at its most extreme, certainly unfit to manage anything, never mind the presidency.

He absolutely believes everything he’s saying.

This thread had me wondering about coal:
[fortune.com]

And that carrier plant:
[nytimes.com]

I suspect what he says reflects a vague concept of what he thinks. But the fact he really doesn't care is most telling. If his construed concept of reality resonates well with his ignorant followers, he’ll say it. But when truth plays no role in one's thoughts, every utterance is suspect..

Compulsive liars believe what they say for the most part.

Guy I went to college with claimed he had a 3 legged turtle (stumpy) that pulled him out of a frozen river. A barrel racing horse that would play fetch like a dog. A friend that drove under a semi just like in the FF movies. Just to name a few. He really did believe all this shit. There are more, and several unbelievable stories every week.

I have never understood the things he lies about that are so easily verifiable.....like his intel chiefs were “misquoted” ... what????

It’s a combination of both, I think. Trump will say what ever he thinks will benefit him financially when he can, but he’s also heavily beholden to all of the investors who have bailed him out of debt over the years.

He doesn't know the difference between a lie and the truth... That is the scary part. He just makes up whatever fits his narrative of the moment without fear or care if what he is saying is correct... Or even close to it. His whole being has one goal... Make sure people think I am the best... Because in his heart of hearts... He knows he is the worst!

This has been his MO his entire life. It seems effortless because it is. He reveres himself at the same time.

You’d have to ask him personally because asking anyone else will only result in a biased opinion.

Me personally it’s a little of everything. Some intentional some just him assuming and not knowing when or how to shut the fuck up.
But that’s just my opinion

Deny, Deflect, Distract, Distort - tRump