Honest:

that which is true or in accordance with fact or reality.

noun: the truth   From <https://www.google.com/search?

Reality:

the world or the state of things as they actually exist, as opposed to an idealistic or notional idea of them.

“he refuses to face reality”

Honesty:

The quality of being honest

Trump’s Got a “hunch”  (he said in the early covid days), that its lethality was exaggerated.

How many failed fact checkers has he?

Trump’s reason not to be honest about Covid19:

“To protect”  (avoid panic)

Manipulate

Save face

Habit

HOW DO YOU FEEL about “bending the truth?”  What does it do to a relationship?  Even technically a white lie?

Once I’ve caught someone in a white lie I hold the relationship at arm’s length.  I fail to confront, because I’m not good with spoken words or assertiveness, and I possibly think a dishonest relationship is better than none?  My bad.