Just Kidding Motte-and-bailey fallacy
From Liberpedia
The Just Kidding Motte-and-bailey fallacy is a type of Motte-and-bailey fallacy. It consists in making a controversial statement (the bailey), and then:
- standing by it as long as the public agrees with it;
- but retreating to the motte as soon as it gets seriously challenged: claiming it was a joke, being hyperbolical, "jesting", etc.
See also
Examples
- Donald Trump and his promise to end the Russian invasion of Ukraine before he even becomes President, or on day one, or in 24 hours, or in a few phone calls. It didn't work out, so claimed he was "jesting". [1]
- You said you would end the war in Ukraine on Day One.
- Well, I said that figuratively, and I said that as an exaggeration, because to make a point, and you know, it gets, of course, by the fake news [unintelligible]. Obviously, people know that when I said that, it was said in jest, but it was also said that it will be ended.
- Dave Smith, Joe Rogan about Darryl Cooper and Winston Churchill.
- Dave Smith's clown nose on, clown nose off
