Write your representatives today Donald Trump is still claiming to control the direction of American politics in the face of legal indictments piling up and repeated ethical complaints. His audacity wipes out pious political convention. This fiery rhetoric strikes a chord with his base, particularly the Make America Great Again (MAGA) segment. Observers note that Trump’s unique blend of shamelessness and an ability to “flood the zone” with distractions has become a hallmark of his political strategy.
And from the left, right and center, but most notably from the right where Trump got no small measure of his power. He famously replied “Smart guy, huh?” in response to a question about his tax-avoidance schemes. This remark illustrates the president’s willingness to gloat over misconduct that most individuals would seek to cover up. This openness seems to resonate with constituents who love to engage with the raw, unapologetic style they are seeing from him.
In 2005, the now-infamous Access Hollywood tape caught Trump talking about exactly how he’s accosted women on a regular basis. His comments about this have since been criticized by many as deeply offensive and inappropriate. Cabbiness aside, his tenure has been defined by a barrage of lawsuits, ethical questions, and investigations into his misconduct. He was twice impeached and is now five-times indicted. At least from within his own ranks, these legal obstacles don’t seem to be affecting his support.
In related news, Trump accepted an over-the-top $400 million luxurious private plane from Qatar. He described it as a “gesture of good faith.” Further, he vocally called on China to investigate President Joe Biden, a move that shocked many and appeared to court foreign interference in US domestic politics. Trump took many controversial actions as president, including a blanket pardon for everyone who participated in the January 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. He has expressed zero contrition about that debacle.
How Trump governs is in sharp relief to the tenures of past Republican and Democratic presidents alike. He speaks unflinchingly about wrongdoing that previous administrations would have surely covered up— an attitude that represents a radical break from centuries of political civility. Donald Trump has spent the past decade remaking the Republican Party in his image. All the while, he has purged critics and consolidated his power.
In spite of all the crises he has created, experts say the American public’s response has changed. Larry Sabato notes that repeated exposure to Trump’s controversies has turned them into “background noise,” leading many to shrug off negative news stories about him.
“It becomes background noise. If there’s bad news about a particular person or category of public policy then it’s less significant because you expect it. What’s Trump done today? Then you shrug your shoulders and have your third cup of coffee.” – Larry Sabato
Political analysts note that the reason Trump has gotten away with so much is because there hasn’t been institutional pushback. Government Professor, Wendy Schiller, explains how the institutions meant to provide a check on executive power have been eroded.
“The institutional structures that should be countervailing, that should be pushing up against this and saying: ‘Oh, this is terrible, he’s breaking the law’, are completely absent. They’ve been co-opted or taken over by the Republican party or the conservative supreme court.” – Wendy Schiller
Schiller goes on to underscore the lack of a counter-narrative within American political discourse that would hold Trump accountable for his actions.
“There isn’t a counter voice to say to the American people this is not acceptable behaviour. I don’t think Trump gets credit for flooding the zone or that his strategy is particularly remarkable. It’s that he has neutered the Congress and bought off the supreme court. There isn’t anybody, literally, who can stop him.” – Wendy Schiller
In fact, Trump’s narrative strikes a unique chord with the seemingly endless supply of voters who feel abandoned by the party establishment. As John Zogby points out, that’s because Trump represents an enforcement—and a rebellion—against the political machine.
“For voters who want to rage against the machine, instead of being elected president and head of the machine, he’s the guy who feels he’s been put in place to both enforce and live the rage against the machine.” – John Zogby
The former president’s unapologetic demeanor is appealing to many who see him as an “honest liar,” as comedian Dave Chappelle describes him.
“The reason he’s loved is because people in Ohio have never seen somebody like him. He’s what I call an honest liar.” – Dave Chappelle
This fraught dynamic between Trump and his base is partly rooted in their understanding of Trump’s authenticity in the face of real consequences. His willingness to flaunt norms publicly further enhances his mystique as a character who plays outside the lines.
“The very fact that he breaks all the rules so brazenly – takes foreign trips and makes personal business deals – adds to the appeal. He’s the baddest cowboy in town. He does and says what a lot of people wish that they could do and say and he gets away with it.” – John Zogby
This acquiescence to Trump’s egregious and unprecedented behavior brings us to a deeper ethical question regarding the nature of leadership and accountability. As critics have pointed out, the normalization of this kind of conduct is dangerous for our system of democratic governance.
“This is a dangerous notion that, just because a president chooses to be corrupt in public openly, it’s OK.” – Larry Sabato
During his presidency and ever since, Trump has never been shy about going off the rails. His actions—including firing former FBI Director James Comey during an investigation into Russian election interference—highlight a pattern of boldness that many find both troubling and compelling.
As he steers through separate criminal convictions and other legal storms, controversies and issues, Trump is still a formidable player in American politics. He’s particularly good at keeping people united in the face of calamity. His talent for narrative reversal and retelling enchants the electorate who identify with his brazen style.