From the moment Trump descended the escalator on June 16, 2015, to announce his candidacy by making outrageous allegations, all the way through his presidency and up until today, I have wondered about one crucial question: How can so many individuals who appear rational defend the indefensible and excuse the inexcusable? His recent indictment is only the latest instance that brings this question to mind. The list is long, but the most concerning was the insurrection that occurred on January 6, 2021.
I understand why the GOP base adores him. The average, staunch Republican voter either doesn’t comprehend or simply doesn’t care about the accusations against him. As long as he continues pandering to their bigotry, they remain loyal. However, the Lindsey Grahams of the world are a different story; they should know better. They possess an in-depth understanding of both the political and legal realms and know what a threat Trump and his methods are to our democracy. So why do they continue descending further down the rabbit hole instead of regaining their senses? The answer is simple: they’re too invested at this point. They have learned the hard way that short-term gains always come with long-term consequences when they are accomplished by a deal with the devil. Regardless of which camp these defenders belong to, there are some important considerations to bear in mind.
Trump: The Man and Methods
Trump possesses a few remarkable talents, including an innate grasp of our primal instincts and the ability to read an audience. He has cultivated a twisted dichotomy: “I am MAGA, MAGA is you.” Whatever his supporters project onto him, he reflects it back in a flamboyant and dramatic manner. They perceive any attack on him as a personal assault against themselves. They don’t view it as witnessing injustice; rather, they feel they’re experiencing it firsthand. His toolbox may be limited, but it is undeniably effective.
He isn’t just a liar; he is a consummate bullshitter, which is far more dangerous. Unlike an ordinary liar who treads cautiously to maintain some connection to reality, a bullshitter aims to construct an entirely new reality for you, appealing to your emotions rather than your intellect. While a liar may attempt to hide the truth, the bullshitter is completely unconcerned with truthfulness; their sole focus is persuading the listener.
Deep down, I believe Trump is profoundly insecure. Some of his defenders might argue, “How can you call him a narcissistic egomaniac and insecure at the same time?” Well, narcissists can indeed be insecure and self-loathing. They often exhibit the most aggressive and domineering behaviors. He fits the clinical subtype of “vulnerable narcissism” to a tee.
Why do they stay?
His defenders embody an unfortunate aspect of human psychology: the tendency to double down rather than admit defeat. When individuals are deeply invested in something—a person, an idea, a job, a game, or anything else—they typically intensify their commitment when things go awry. This destructive cycle continues to spiral downwards, with each reinforcement of a poor decision leading to even greater investment, requiring a stronger counterforce to break free. It’s not until the gambler is on the brink of bankruptcy that they begin to realize another hand won’t solve their problems. I tremble at the thought of what it will take to shock these individuals back into reality.
Admitting one’s mistakes becomes even more challenging when it involves not only personal ego but also the fear of jeopardizing one’s livelihood and professional reputation. Difficult as it may be, we must improve our ability to accept defectors from the other side, no matter how late they join the cause, without any sense of shame or a condescending “I told you so” attitude.
Going Forward
Liz Cheney’s quote from a year ago remains profoundly poignant: “Tonight, I say this to my Republican colleagues who are defending the indefensible: There will come a day when Donald Trump is gone, but your dishonor will remain.” Unfortunately, even after Trump’s departure, his methods will persist like cancer within the body politic. As a society, we must find a way to address the overt lying and gaslighting by politicians and prevent voters from being sucked into an abyss of malignancy if our republic is to have any hope of survival.
Words From The Wise
I’ve been a long-time admirer of Maya Angelou, and our current predicament brings to mind one of my favorite quotes from her: “Just do right, you really don’t have to ask anybody. The truth is, doing what’s right may not always be expedient or profitable, but it will satisfy your soul. It brings the kind of protection that bodyguards can’t provide.” How fortunate would our nation be if our politicians, especially today’s Republican Party, could truly internalize that?
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