Within the space of a few hours, Donald Trump underwent a transformation that left two contrasting images of the first former president in American history to face criminal prosecution. One was the suspect sitting in a New York courtroom, grim-faced and hunched over as 34 felony charges were brought against him. He got in just two words: not guilty. The other was on his private jet back home to Florida, over some fast food from McDonald's, preparing a speech both to respond to the prosecutors and re-energize his bid to recapture the White House. An indictment would probably sink most politicians' careers. For Trump, the media circus around his arraignment have given him what he craves most: attention. Until the news broke of the prosecution over his role in the payment of $130,000 to an adult-film actress, his 2024 presidential campaign had gained little traction. He remains deeply unpopular with most US voters, who will now be asked to put a criminally charged candidate in the highest office in the land. Bigger indictments could still come, especially over his attempt to overturn his 2020 defeat to Joe Biden and his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection. But for now, most Republicans, even fierce critic Mitt Romney, have backed his narrative that the case is politically motivated, silencing rivals to his party's presidential nomination, especially his biggest threat: Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. Since news of the charges broke, Trump's lead in polls of Republican primary voters has grown and his campaign says it has raised $10 million. Back in his Mar-a-Lago home, he delivered a familiar litany of grievances to a chanting crowd of supporters. So far, as major US cable networks chronicled his every move, the indictment must seem to Trump like a godsend. — Flavia Krause-Jackson |
No comments:
Post a Comment