Appearing in an interview with Glenn Beck, magician and gadfly Penn Jillette explained the broad appeal presumptive GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump has with conspiracy-minded people, saying they are easily manipulated because they love simple answers to complex problems.
Jillette began by pointing out President Obama's calm demeanor, calling him "slick and so on point," which he has used to assure people that things are under control.
Noting that “The pendulum has just swung the other way,” Jillette explained that Trump appeals to people who seek a different type of assurance.
"The people that love their conspiracies -- it's exactly the same thinking," he stated. "Someone has got to be watching over this, and it's better if they're evil. You know there is an expression, I don't know who said it originally, but 'never ascribe to conspiracy what can be explained by stupidity.' We’re living in a chaotic world, and someone comes along with answers that, I think, even the supporters know kind of aren’t true. But at least he has answers."
After pointing out that any normal person might show initial hesitancy about how to fix complex problems, Jillette took a shot at Trump's empty promises.
"If you willing to fall for it, there is something so -- 'We've got build a wall!'" Jillette said as he mimicked Trump. "'That will solve all of our -- Build a wall!' And who is going to pay for it? 'The Mexicans!' Yeah, that will solve all of it. 'We're going to kill all of the Muslim's families.' Good, That solves that.'You know Obama has been too lenient, we're just gonna wipe out ISIS!'"
"And boy, we know from all those horrible books, like the ones Trump has written, about business and manipulating people — we know that you don’t want to show doubt,” Jillette said. “And if there has been one thing my whole life has been about artistically, it’s telling people: embrace the doubt. ‘I don’t know’ is the most powerful thing you can say.”
Watch the clip below from Glenn Beck TV:
Featured Image: Penn Jillette on The Glenn Beck Program, June 6, 2016
