Standing on stage at his rally in Ohio Trump bragged, ‘I won by a landslide’ – beside me, watching Trump’s video, my friend nodded. I leaned toward him.

‘Give me one fact that proves Trump won?’

He laughed. ‘Do I think the Democrats would steal an election…yes, in a minute.’ He didn’t need facts – all he needed was mistrust of Democrats.

After election night Trump roared voting machines switched his votes to Joe Biden – Trump sowed fear corrupt machines stole the election. But recounts led by Republican officials in swing states found no vote switching machines.

Trump roared on: Late election night vote swings were proof Democrats stuffed ballot boxes, said more people voted in Detroit than lived in Detroit. Michigan’s State Senate, which has a Republican majority, investigated – only half the registered voters in Detroit had voted. Late night swings did look odd but they weren’t: When a state counted mail-in ballots first Biden led. As soon as the election day votes were counted Trump surged ahead – we saw that happen here in North Carolina: Biden led then, later that night, Trump surged into the lead. In other states – like Pennsylvania – where they counted mail-in ballots last, not first, Trump led early (as the ballots cast on election day were counted) then the mail-in ballots were counted – grimacing we watched Biden surge ahead.

Years ago my friend Jack Hawke ran for Congress, lost by a thousand votes, filed a lawsuit – to take Jack’s case to trial his lawyers had to show a judge evidence (not proof just evidence) a thousand votes had been stolen. His lawyers tried, came up short, a Republican judge dismissed the case. That happened to Trump – he filed lawsuits, couldn’t give judges evidence enough votes were stolen to overturn the election, judges shook their heads.

‘Never admit you’re wrong’ is one of Trump’s mantras – is that why he said in Ohio, ‘I won by a landslide’? Could be. But there’s another practical reason: Joe Biden was an incredibly weak candidate. By telling Republicans he won Trump avoided a withering question: How on earth did Biden beat you? As long as Trump has Republicans convinced he won they won’t start looking for a stronger candidate to defeat Biden next time.

When a President, or now former President, stands on a stage, tells a taradiddle, who pays the piper? Does the Good Lord turn a blind eye? No. Trump’s admirers and foes – emulating him – see lies as tools not evils, the most poisonous fruit of all.