Can do no Wrong
In 2016, Trump summed up his relationship with his supporters, saying
“I could stand in the middle of 5th Avenue and shoot somebody and I wouldn’t lose voters”
-said by Donald Trump during the 2016 campaign cnn.com
Trump’s chilling characterization has proven to be quite accurate. The outstanding question is why is his base is so loyal and willing to stick with him through scandal after scandal? I think the answer is multifold. In part, he has been able to tap into an underlying unhappiness in America and cast himself as the Populist leader who will bring back the “good times”. But perhaps even more importantly he has used and perfected the “they are out to get me defense” that can be broadly applied to almost any attack on him (https://politicaleye.org/2018/08/26/trumps-they-are-out-to-get-me-defense/).
Since entering politics, he has been stoking the idea that there is an organized effort to “get him”. It has proven to be an incredible effective strategy, enabling him to deflect attempts to hold him responsible for his numerous illegal, unethical, and abhorrent actions and behaviors. No matter what the charge is or the volume of evidence against him, he responds that it is all made up by those who are out to get him. He insists the media is part of this plot against him, neutralizing their role as a mediator of truth. He claims he is really a great guy who is being vilified by the government (the media, Democrats…).
I first wrote about the “they are out to get me defense” in August, 2018 I updated the August 2018 post a few weeks later with the concern that he would rile his base to take violent action if the 2018 election did not go his way. The concern unfortunately proved to be prophetic.
Witch Hunt
He has continued to use the “they are out to get me” defense by characterizing every investigation and charge as part of a ” Witch Hunt” against him. His supporters refuse to beleive the negative information brought forward about him. In addition, Trump dismisses the seriousness of the accusation charges against him drawing on elements of the “I did it, get over it” defense (https://politicaleye.org/2019/10/19/the-i-did-it-get-over-it-defense/). He uses the complexity of our laws and legal process to trivialize the charges.
His defense strategy has been effective and he has been able to retain mot of his base support. It also has affected political discourse in America, making almost everything a yelling match.