New York Times journalist Maggie Haberman has characterized Donald Trump's repeated claims that his administration was the most transparent in history as "nothing more than a spectacle." Speaking to MS NOW's Alex Witt, Haberman dismissed the assertions, which were often echoed by Trump and his officials, as a tactic to evade difficult questions.
Witt questioned Haberman, co-author of the book "Regime Change," about whether a "pattern of secrecy" was on display in the White House and if such claims constituted "gaslighting." Haberman responded affirmatively, stating, "Yes, it's not even a close call. They know that he likes that line. They know that that will be a way to evade questions."
Haberman elaborated that the administration was "very good at keeping secrets, not just when they want to, but for reasons that are not necessarily in the public's interest." She cited instances of "self-enrichment" during Trump's term, the "decoy airplane controversy," and questions surrounding his health as examples of this lack of transparency.
"Objectively, this is an incredibly nontransparent administration," Haberman concluded. "It is how the president likes it, the tone comes from the top."