Madison has lots of public speaking skills and much natural talent for politics, but first he needs therapy to control his insecurity and sense of inadequacy. Why else would an adult make such stories up?
Answering my own question; maybe he lied in order to sabotage his own success. Much was happening for Cawthorne very quickly.
Perhaps it was too much too soon.
Some will throw a wrench into their Success-Mobile via drugs, alcohol or bizarre behavior. They dont feel ready or even worthy for all this good fortune.
Make stories up? Uh, have you been to Washington?