George Santos and Donald Trump – are they the young and old bookends of the MAGA Republicans? Neither is concerned with truth or facts. Trump repeats lies so frequently it has to be part of his plan – repeat and repeat and repeat lies long enough, and a substantial number of people will start to believe you.

Trump’s appearance at the CNN Town Hall revealed he has continued to promote his earlier lies about a rigged election and the events on Jan. 6, 2021. He and his supporters had 63 opportunities to convince federal courts of their grievances after the November 2020 elections, and all were unsuccessful.

And many of these cases were before judges that Trump had selected!

At some point a rational person has to admit the election was not rigged – but that excludes most MAGA Republicans.

George Santos, like Trump now faces federal charges on campaign finance violations, money laundering and fraud. At least Santos has not been charged with obstructing Congress, but then he has only been there a few months.

For those who have not been paying close attention, Trump is still at risk for federal indictments over his handling of classified national defense documents and seditious conspiracy over the events leading up to Jan. 6, 2021.

These are just the major charges and exclude potential fund-raising fraud over raising funds to challenge the election results but pocketing those funds instead. We will have to see what the special prosecutor files, but we should know by the end of summer.

And don’t forget that Fulton County Attorney General Fanni Willis has been investigating Trump’s efforts to subvert the Georgia election and will likely file charges in July.

The recording of Trump’s conversation with the Georgia Secretary of State is probably enough by itself to convict him.

Truth, facts, lies and fraud. Only you can determine what you believe, but the future of our country depends on what the majority decide.

— Mike Corbett, Rome