This morning I decided to republish this blog. I hear “gaslighting” more each day on the media. I think we all need to realize we are being gaslighted. We are being manipulated by repeated lies and persistent denial.

Gaslighting? Have you heard this term recently and wondered about the meaning? For self-preservation, beware. If you are a writer and wanting to develop a sinister character, consider giving your antagonist skills in gaslighting his/her victim.

 Definition from Wikipedia: Gaslighting is a form of manipulation that seeks to sow seeds of doubt in a targeted individual or group, hoping to make the target question their own memory, perception, and sanity. Using persistent denial, misdirection, contradiction, and lying, it attempts to destabilize the target and delegitimize the target’s belief.

 In Gas Light, a 1938 play and later a movie, the husband manipulates his wife by attempting to make her believe she is insane. He lies, tells her she is delusional, manipulates the environment (he dims the gaslights) and when she points out changes, he says she is mistaken. The efforts are aimed at manipulation of a person’s sense of reality. This technique is commonly used by charming sociopathic individuals, narcissists, abusive partners and bullies.

We see this in the media almost daily as Trump announces something and then later declares he did not make the statement. Now, Trump is calling the media liars when they point out facts.

We may all become victims of Donald Trump’s manipulation of the truth.

Knowledge is power. Stick to the facts.

CNN article detailing Gaslighting by Donald Trump: http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/10/opinions/donald-trump-is-gaslighting-america-ghitis/index.html

BJK