The Art of Deception: Comparing Pathological Lying in Leadership – Ruto, Trump, and Historical Lessons
Introduction
Leadership demands trust, but what happens when leaders habitually distort the truth? In recent years, Kenya’s President William Ruto and former U.S. President Donald Trump have faced accusations of pathological lying, with critics arguing their falsehoods undermine governance. From Ruto’s unfulfilled economic promises to Trump’s staggering tally of false claims, their behaviors raise questions about why some leaders lie compulsively and what history teaches us about such figures. This blog explores the psychology of pathological lying in leadership, compares Ruto and Trump through specific examples, and draws on historical precedents to assess their impact.
The Psychology of Pathological Lying in Leaders
Pathological lying—habitual, often motiveless deception—can stem from personality disorders like narcissism or psychopathy, or from learned behavior reinforced by power. Psychologists note that narcissistic leaders lie to inflate their image or dodge accountability, while those with psychopathic traits may lie impulsively, indifferent to consequences. For some, lying is strategic, a tool to manipulate narratives or maintain control. But when does this cross into pathology, and what drives leaders to risk credibility?
Case Study 1: William Ruto’s Promises and Public Distrust
Since taking office in 2022, Kenyan President William Ruto has faced accusations of lying about economic reforms and governance. A prominent example is his 2022 campaign promise to lower living costs and stabilize the Kenyan shilling. Ruto claimed his “bottom-up” economic model would create jobs and reduce taxes. Yet, by 2024, fuel prices soared, taxes increased, and the shilling weakened, sparking protests. Critics, including former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, labeled Ruto a “pathological liar” after a 2025 interview where Ruto allegedly fabricated details about their fallout, including claims Gachagua demanded KSh 10 billion for political loyalty. Gachagua’s retort on X—“pathological lying is a mental disorder”—reflects public frustration.
Ruto’s defenders argue his exaggerations are political rhetoric, not pathology, and that economic challenges are global. However, repeated unfulfilled promises, like the 2023 pledge to deliver 1 million jobs annually, erode trust. Social media on X shows Kenyans mocking Ruto’s claims, with hashtags like #RutoMustGo trending in 2024. This suggests a pattern of overpromising that borders on compulsive, possibly driven by a need to maintain populist appeal.
Case Study 2: Donald Trump’s Avalanche of Falsehoods
Donald Trump’s presidency (2017–2021) set a benchmark for documented deception. The Washington Post tallied 30,573 false or misleading claims over his first term, averaging 21 per day. Examples include his 2020 election fraud claims, dubbed the “Big Lie,” which fueled the January 6 Capitol riot. Trump repeatedly asserted he won the election, despite recounts and court rulings proving otherwise. Another notable falsehood was his 2017 claim that his inauguration crowd was the largest ever, contradicted by photos and official estimates.
Trump’s lies often served self-aggrandizement or deflection. He boasted of “the biggest tax cuts in history” (false) and dismissed COVID-19’s severity, claiming it would “disappear.” His former chief of staff, John Kelly, called him a “pathological liar,” and mental health experts like Dr. Bandy Lee noted his lies lacked the strategic purpose of past presidents, suggesting a compulsive trait. Trump’s repetition of falsehoods, like the election fraud narrative, exploited the “illusory truth effect,” where repeated lies gain believability.
Historical Context: Lessons from Past Liars
History shows that lying leaders are not new, but their motives and impacts vary. Lyndon B. Johnson’s 1964 Gulf of Tonkin incident, a fabricated attack on U.S. ships, justified Vietnam War escalation, costing millions of lives. Unlike Trump or Ruto, Johnson’s lie was strategic, tied to national security, though catastrophic. Similarly, Richard Nixon’s Watergate cover-up involved lies to protect power, but his resignation showed accountability absent in modern cases.
In contrast, Ronald Reagan’s falsehoods, like claiming trees caused more pollution than cars, stemmed from detachment rather than malice. These historical figures highlight a spectrum: strategic lies (Johnson), self-serving lies (Nixon), and careless exaggerations (Reagan). Ruto and Trump lean toward the self-serving and compulsive, with Trump’s volume and Ruto’s populist overpromises distinguishing them.
Comparing Ruto and Trump
- Volume and Style: Trump’s lies are more frequent and blatant, averaging 21 daily falsehoods, while Ruto’s are fewer but tied to specific promises. Trump’s style is bombastic, often absurd (e.g., claiming he never said “lock her up” despite recordings), while Ruto’s are aspirational, promising unfeasible economic miracles.
- Motivation: Both lie to bolster their image. Trump’s falsehoods often protect his ego (e.g., crowd sizes) or sow division (e.g., election fraud). Ruto’s aim to sustain populist support, promising jobs and tax cuts despite fiscal realities. Both show narcissistic traits, prioritizing self-preservation over truth.
- Impact: Trump’s lies had global consequences, undermining U.S. democracy via the Capitol riot. Ruto’s erode domestic trust, fueling protests and economic discontent. Both destabilize, but Trump’s disinformation scale, amplified by media, outstrips Ruto’s localized impact.
Are They Good Leaders?
Good leadership requires integrity, vision, and results. Pathological lying undermines all three. Ruto’s economic mismanagement and broken promises suggest ineffective governance, though his supporters credit his infrastructure projects. Trump’s tax cuts and foreign policy wins earned loyalty, but his lies fractured trust and polarized the U.S. Historically, leaders like Franklin Roosevelt lied strategically (e.g., hiding WWII preparations) but delivered results. Ruto and Trump’s lies, often self-serving, lack such justification, making them poor leaders by ethical standards.
Why Do They Lie?
- Inherited or Upbringing? No evidence confirms genetic lying, but narcissistic traits have a heritable component. Trump’s father, Fred, lied about his Swedish heritage, a falsehood Donald repeated. Ruto’s background as a self-made politician suggests learned behavior, possibly from Kenya’s patronage-driven politics.
- Fear of Truth? Both avoid accountability. Trump’s election fraud lies dodged defeat, while Ruto’s job promises deflect economic failures. Their lies shield vulnerabilities, a hallmark of narcissistic leadership.
- Cultural Enablers: Weak accountability—Kenya’s corrupt systems, U.S. partisan media—emboldens lying. Trump’s base embraced his “sincerity” over facts, while Ruto’s supporters tolerate exaggerations for tribal loyalty.
Conclusion
Ruto and Trump exemplify how pathological lying can define leadership, but history warns of its dangers. From Johnson’s Vietnam disaster to Nixon’s downfall, lies erode trust and destabilize societies. Ruto’s broken promises and Trump’s disinformation campaigns show that compulsive deception, whether narcissistic or strategic, undermines effective governance. For citizens, the lesson is clear: demand accountability and skepticism, lest democracy becomes, as Hannah Arendt warned, a place where “nobody believes anything anymore.”
Call to Action
Have you noticed similar patterns in other leaders? Share your thoughts below, and let’s discuss how we can hold power to account. For more on leadership and truth, subscribe to our newsletter!
Sources
- The Washington Post Fact Checker on Trump’s false claims.
- TUKO.co.ke on Ruto-Gachagua fallout.
- Historical analyses from The Nation and The Conversation.
- Psychological insights from Forbes and Psychoanalyzing Life.
Note: This blogpost critically examines public accusations and documented evidence, avoiding unverified claims. Dates and examples are accurate as of April 19, 2025.
- Kenyan Entrepreneur and Aspirant Patrick Osoi’s Journey to Leadership
Patrick Osoi’s inspiring rise from humble beginnings to visionary leader. - An Abagusii Tale from the 17th Century
The Journey of Mogusii’s Heirs: An Abagusii Tale from the 17th Century In the early years of the 17th century, the Abagusii were a people on the move, their roots stretching back to a mythical place called Misiri, a land of hardship north of Mount Elgon. Oral traditions whispered that their ancestor, Mogusii, a descendant… Read more: An Abagusii Tale from the 17th Century - Fred Matiang’i: What are his Chances of Leading Kenya in 2027?
Analysing Fred Matiang’i’s Chances of Becoming Kenya’s President in 2027 As Kenya gears up for the 2027 General Election, one name has emerged as a formidable contender: Dr. Fred Matiang’i, the former Interior Cabinet Secretary. Known for his assertive governance style and significant reforms during his tenure under President Uhuru Kenyatta, Matiang’i has officially declared… Read more: Fred Matiang’i: What are his Chances of Leading Kenya in 2027? - The Abagusii in the Early 20th Century: Navigating Colonialism, Agriculture, and Resistance (1900–1920)
The Abagusii in the Early 20th Century: Navigating Colonialism, Agriculture, and Resistance (1900–1920) Nestled in the fertile highlands of western Kenya, the Abagusii people—also known as the Gusii or Kisii—experienced profound changes between 1900 and 1920. This period marked the dawn of British colonial rule in Gusiiland, bringing new crops, administrative control, and challenges to… Read more: The Abagusii in the Early 20th Century: Navigating Colonialism, Agriculture, and Resistance (1900–1920) - 20 Facts About the Kisii and Suba People
- The Mumboism movement
The Mumboism movement was a significant anti-colonial, millennialist religious movement that emerged in the early 20th century among the Luo and Kisii (Abagusii) communities in Kenya’s Nyanza region, particularly around South Nyanza (modern-day Homa Bay, Migori, and Kisii counties). It arose as a response to the oppressive conditions imposed by British colonial rule, blending traditional… Read more: The Mumboism movement - The Accidental Discovery That Changed the World: The Story of Penicillin
Imagine a world where a simple infection could mean a death sentence. A world where a scraped knee, a sore throat, or a minor surgery carried the risk of untreatable bacterial infections. That was the reality in the early 20th century—until a messy laboratory and a stroke of serendipity gave us one of the greatest… Read more: The Accidental Discovery That Changed the World: The Story of Penicillin - The Blood Parliament: A Generation’s Fight on June 25, 2024
Nairobi’s streets were alive on June 25, 2024. The air thrummed with chants, the beat of protest anthems, and the defiant spirit of Kenya’s youth. Thousands of Gen Z Kenyans, joined by parents, workers, and students, flooded the Central Business District, their faces painted with the colours of the Kenyan flag—red, green, and black. They… Read more: The Blood Parliament: A Generation’s Fight on June 25, 2024 - Shadows of Betrayal: A Malian Soldier’s Journey to Liberation
The sun hung low over the arid expanse of northern Mali, casting long shadows across the dunes near Kidal. It was 2013, and I, Captain Amadou Traoré—not my real name, for reasons that will soon become clear—stood shoulder-to-shoulder with my Malian brothers-in-arms, rifles in hand, sweat beading down our foreheads. Beside us were French soldiers,… Read more: Shadows of Betrayal: A Malian Soldier’s Journey to Liberation - Top 20 Highest Dividend-Paying Saccos in Kenya (2025)
Your Guide to Maximising Returns Through Cooperative Savings Kenya’s Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies (Saccos) continue outperforming traditional banks with lucrative dividend payouts. In 2025, several Saccos have stood out for rewarding members with returns as high as 21% on share capital, making them a top choice for savvy investors. Below is a curated list of… Read more: Top 20 Highest Dividend-Paying Saccos in Kenya (2025)