Several readers have invited me to weigh in on the phenomenon of “gaslighting.” So here goes.

The term “gaslighting” suddenly became ubiquitous in the past couple of years, mostly in the discussions of political events; but I couldn’t even figure out from context what it meant. Finally I had to look it up. Apparently, it is a term that has been around for a while in the field of psychology. Here’s a definition from Medical News Today:

Gaslighting is a form of psychological abuse where a person or group makes someone question their sanity, perception of reality, or memories. People experiencing gaslighting often feel confused, anxious, and unable to trust themselves.

But how does the term apply to political news? . . .