Donald Trump, some love him and think he only wants the best for America and its people. But there are others who would like to see him behind bars. How is it possible for one person to be both of these things? Is the upcoming presidential election the solution, or will it further divide the United States?
Another article about the ex-president of America? Hasn’t enough been written about this man – you might ask.
And you are right!
And another article would please Donald Trump. This is exactly what he wants, with all his social media posts, his show in front of audiences, in court and in front of the press, and his provocations.
Donald Trump, the hero?
Lately, Donald Trump has been taking advantage of the excitement surrounding him to steal public attention away from his rivals. The more he grumbles about being politically persecuted for fearlessly taking on the establishment, the more donations pour into his campaign coffers.
Obviously, Donald Trump’s popularity with his supporters grows with each indictment against him, and his influence in the Republican Party grows as well. His intimidated opponents in the party were unable to score against him in the first primaries. After the first televised debates without Donald Trump, his rivals are trailing Mr Trump in the polls.
As a result, the Republican rivals are showing their loyalty to the ex-president in the hope of boosting their political careers. This is because Donald Trump’s chances of becoming the next Republican presidential candidate are still particularly high.
In August, it was hard to keep up with the news of new indictments, jury verdicts and further legal proceedings against Donald Trump. He is accused of attempted electoral fraud, conspiracy against the United States and defrauding the American electorate. But even these charges seem to be helping Donald Trump politically.
Backgrounder: Michigan’s ‘fake electors’ charges, explained – States United Democracy Center
Donald Trump, the villain?
The legal cases will give Mr Trump the publicity he needs ahead of the 2024 presidential primaries. He may even admit that some of the allegations are true, but he will vehemently deny that he has broken the law or even committed a crime.
All the legal proceedings against Donald Trump are not just about deciding right or wrong, but also about preventing an institutional crisis. If the former president tried to rig a democratic election once, he will try it again. This time, however, the operation has been perfected.
The courts may decide the facts, but the real decision about Donald Trump’s future lies with the American people. What’s more, Donald Trump could legitimately win the next election. So it will be a crucial test for the electorate.
Donald Trump, the victim?
Donald Trump has so far been highly successful in portraying himself as a victim to his supporters. He never tires of portraying the Biden family as a crime family using the American Department of Justice as a weapon against him. He even goes so far as to compare the entire prosecution to the „actions of Nazi Germany“.
Unwavering Trump admirers do not feel that he has done anything wrong – even after Donald Trump’s temporary arrest. They think the charges are politically motivated. What’s more, they love him because he „does what he says he’s going to do“ and they firmly believe that he „wants what’s best for the country“.
Mr Trump’s supporters are more likely to doubt the American legal system, suggesting that „if you can be prosecuted for saying an election was stolen, then the election was stolen. Something is wrong.“ They just love Donald Trump.
Donald Trump – guilty or not guilty?
The latest indictments against Donald Trump aim to prove that the former president lost the 2020 election fairly. He knew this, and yet he tried to overturn the results and stay in office – against the will of the American people.
Now it is the job of federal and state prosecutors to protect and defend the rights of the people. It is to hold people accountable when they try to undermine democracy. That is why it is important that both federal and state investigations are conducted, because the American people are not completely divided on the question of guilty or innocent.
Donald Trump’s impact
The following articles are intended to help German readers make up their own minds about Donald Trump and his impact on the American electorate, the Republican Party and his Democratic opponents.
My overview is intended to show what the American press is writing about Donald Trump. I have chosen newspapers that claim to be free thinking and independent of political parties and interests.
To the German translation of this article: Donald Trump ist ein Phänomen – und er polarisiert