Are some of his lies a cover for his worsening dementia? He can't remember things, so he makes up...

[Warpy]

5. Don't read more into this than has always been there

He is a malignant narcissist. He will say whatever he thinks will make himself feel better at any time. He might contradict himself 5 minutes later, but that's because things have changed enough to make him want to say something else to make himself feel better. He is a liar and when things aren't going his way, he lashes out randomly, not choosing his targets wisely or even appropriately.

This is what he is and I'd far rather see him than be him.

The ones I want to throttle are his enablers who say things like "Oh, that's just his style."

Uh, no, style has nothing to do with this. He is a twisted and deeply damaged man who has no business being where he is. Ever.