Every one of their so-called whoppers is simply a partisan rendition of a comment by Trump.
For example, Trump saying he opposed the war.
1. There is no doubt that he opposed it shortly afterward.
2. He appeared on Howard Stern as a non-politician and the discussion turned to the invasion of Iraq. Stern asked if he supported such an action if it happened. Trump said, “...I suppose so...” Mind you, this WAS before the invasion despite what the NYT says.
Trump did not say “Absolutely, I support it!” He said an equivocating “I guess so.” In other worlds, EVERYONE would acknowledge that “I guess so.” is the answer of a man who hasn’t yet made up his mind.
There is no public record, but to say a man cannot resolve his mind after such a weak answer in even 24 hours is ridiculous. Also, Trump’s opposition so early in the war when it was far more fashionable to support it, says that Trump probably did decide before the war that he wasn’t in support of the invasion. As I recall, Hans Blix was still offering anti-WMD statements all the way up to the invasion and afterwards.
To put this in perspective, I did support the invasion and the presence of WMDs (or precursors + recipe). I still support the idea of presursors and recipe being present.
Although I agree with your premise, saying “I guess so” is certainly an affirmation. It has never been taken as anything else but an affirmation, actually. If I ask a friend if he / she wants to go out to dinner and they say, “I guess so”, I don’t say, “Okay, we will stay at home then”.
I may follow up and ask if they are sure, but I wouldn’t assume their affirmation is anything else but what it is.