• by Wayne Friedman , Staff Writer, September 6, 2017

After more than seven months in office, The Washington Post now says, President Trump’s false or misleading claims broke the 1,000 mark on or about Aug. 4 or Aug. 5.

And then came more. As of August 22, the number stood at 1,057. While WaPo and other fact-finders are keeping count, credible news organizations and TV news networks generally agree: Trump is a compulsive liar. It began on day one, when discussing the size of his inauguration.

Or consider Friday, September 1. That's when the Trump Administration’s Justice Department said there was no evidence that the Obama Administration wiretapped Trump Tower.

This is Trump's tweet on March 4: “"Terrible! Just found out that Obama had my 'wires tapped' in Trump Tower just before the victory. Nothing found. This is McCarthyism!"

Was it a lie, a misleading statement, a flippant incendiary remark or something else?

Previously, Trump, a birther, had long called into question whether President Obama was born in the U.S. Then he changed his mind — pointing the blame finger at Hillary Clinton.

And who can forget an old favorite: Mexico would pay for the wall. Now, he has threatened to shut down the government if Congress doesn't cough up billions.

TV news networks have a field day with such statements. But what is exhausting and complicated — for journalists and the public — is the sheer volume of lies and misleading claims.

Trump continues to play the blame game. Everyone is at fault: Obama, the Democrats, the GOP, member of his own staff (on a semi-regular basis). Everyone but himself. Has Trump ever had a second of self-reflection — or offered an apology?  If he wants big added attention, that would do it.

Maybe WaPo has got it wrong. Maybe just half of those 1,057 were lies/misleading statements. Just a little over 500, say. Supporters or apologists might peg it at 200.

Still, these are major numbers. You could probably start a new TV news network just analyzing all the claimed content. Imagine: a fact-checking TV news network, analyzing Trump's statements and tweets from various angles, including conclusions from psychologists and therapists.

Would there be any interest? Looking at the performance of existing TV news networks — CNN, Fox News Channel and MSNBC — news channels are enjoying stellar ratings — the only networks to show meaningful viewer growth.  

Brand extension, anyone?