The difference here is that the permissiveness has spread to politicians aided by the internet.

Leaders of society that permit such an unsatisfactory situation to prevail are part of the problem. They themselves may be perceived as living a lie.

That was many decades ago in the last century, before the technological advances in mass communication that we have today gave unprecedented facilities “to create the truth”.

Democracy loses its merits if it is based on created, rather than genuine, truth

Same theme here and right up your street, since it’s written from an archaeological perspective apparently. John Oliver also highlighted this theme in the context of the Republican convention. Truly worrying signs.