“The Art of War” is an ancient Chinese war strategy document written in the 5th century BC by Sun Tzu. It is widely read and used by military and business leaders today. President Trump’s campaign managers use Sun Tzu’s methods, known in military circles as “The Fifth Column” and in political circles as “dirty tricks.”

Fifth Column dirty tricks are never obvious or apparent. The goal is espionage, sabotage and disinformation. In the 2016 presidential campaign Trump’s managers used dirty tricks against his Republican opponents. For example, Trump linked Sen. Ted Cruz to the assassination of JFK, and publicized Sen. Lindsey Graham’s private phone number so he would be harassed by Trump’s followers.

But Trump’s most successful 2016 dirty tricks were launched against Hillary Clinton. Trump’s close friend, Roger Stone, was instrumental in getting Russia to hack Democratic National Committee servers and then get Clinton’s emails posted on WikiLeaks. That debacle ultimately cost her the election.

Trump’s re-election campaign has already launched dirty tricks attacks against his 2020 presidential opponents. False accusations about failing health and mental instability in Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden come from Trump’s massive propaganda machine funded by his mega-millionaire buddies. The Hunter Biden conspiracy theory is another line of attack, as is linking Biden and Obama to the coronavirus pandemic.

Trump’s dirty tricks are well documented, just Google “Trump’s dirty tricks.” Will he get away with it again?

Paul Oman

Clarkston