By
requiring subordinates to speak untruths, a leader can undercut their
independent standing, including their standing with the public, with the
media and with other members of the administration. That makes those
individuals grow more dependent on the leader and less likely to mount
independent rebellions against the structure of command. Promoting such
chains of lies is a classic tactic when a leader distrusts his
subordinates and expects to continue to distrust them in the future.Another reason for promoting lying is what economists sometimes call loyalty filters. If you want to ascertain if someone is truly loyal to you, ask them to do something outrageous or stupid. If they balk, then you know right away they aren’t fully with you.
That too is a sign of incipient mistrust within the ruling clique, and
it is part of the same worldview that leads Trump to rely so heavily on
family members.