class=”sc-3778e872-0 cgWkHT”>
With Tuesday’s verdict, Donald Trump (76) is not only a former US president, but also a convicted sex offender fighting for the position of America’s most powerful man.
A jury in New York found that Trump sexually assaulted writer E. Jean Carroll (79) in the 1990s and then defamed her. Carroll would now be entitled to about $5 million in damages, but Trump is extending the sentence.
Important judgment – unimportant to the US
It’s a major victory – not just for Carroll, but for anyone who has ever been harassed or abused by someone more powerful. A victory over a man who, in his own words, sexually harassed women at will – and yet became president of the US. So far, Trump has not had to fear consequences. This judgment has changed that.
While it probably came as a surprise to him, the American public responded with a bored shrug. Neither Democratic nor Republican politicians called on Trump to drop out of the primary. There was also little outrage in the American media.
Trump is miles ahead of Biden
Trump’s sordid past – and present – seems to leave many Americans cold: According to a survey by the Washington Post and ABC News, he is seven percentage points ahead of current President Joe Biden (80).
And that despite two impeachment proceedings and an ongoing process. More astonishingly, 18 percent of those who think Trump should be arrested still prefer him over the current president.
The civil verdict is unlikely to affect the staunch support of his supporters. Because they see his legal troubles as a set-up by his opponents to weaken him. And the more consequences Trump’s actions have, the more unreservedly his supporters pledge their support. The news platform Axios aptly headlined on Tuesday: “Trump’s strange silver bullet: bad news.”
A typical response came from Senator Bill Hagerty, 63, of Tennessee on Fox News: “We’ve been following the development of this legal circus in Manhattan. This is just the last act in this circus. It’s been like this for years.”
Trump himself wrote on his Truth Social platform: “This verdict is an outrage – a continuation of the greatest witch hunt of all time!” Moments later, he sent emails asking his supporters to urgently send him more money for the election campaign.
So far, it doesn’t look like Trump is standing in the way of his future in the White House just because of his past. He can still be expected to do everything — and the election campaign is likely to get dirty.
Source: Blick
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
