Rhetoric does mean speech. It’s usually used in a political context, so incediary rhetoric would be incidiary (political) speech.

Other than that, rhetoric is often equated with the policies talked about, so Trump’s rhetoric would be anti-immigrant, anti-abortion, pro-Russia, etc.

As for the ‘it’s not rhetoric’ part of the title - I think they meant it’s not just speech, it’s verifiable - so no direct meaning of ‘lie’ anywhere although the meaning of ‘lie’ is heavily implied.

Bjden and not stepping down?

I feel that that comment adds some nuance to the discussion, so I wouldn’t call it ‘moot’ myself.