By Henry Giroux
Donald Trump has made history again. He is the first president of the United States charged with attempting to overturn a presidential election, violating the rights of citizens to have their votes counted, tampering with a witness and obstructing an official proceeding, among other criminal offences.
He’s also the first president to be indicted. And this is his third indictment in four months — and all of this is playing out amid his campaign for re-election in 2024.
None of the charges brought against Trump are surprising. His legacy as an accused serial liar, self-serving crook, sexual predator and white nationalist
— coupled with his assaults on the courts and supporter of authoritarians globally — are well known.
In effect, he has become the chief annihilator of democracy.
Racism, xenophobia
As Washington Post political columnist Max Boot has observed, Trump has made a mockery out of political leadership, embraced widespread corruption and provided a model for being one of the worst presidents in American history. Boot writes:
“He has trafficked in racism and xenophobia. He has incited violence. He has kowtowed to dictators and trashed our alliances. He has welcomed Russian attacks on our elections. He has locked children in cages. He has called for his opponents to be locked up.”
Put differently, Trump has criminalized both social problems and politics itself.
Trump and his allies have long created a culture of lies, illusions, cruelty and misrepresentation. He has waged an incessant attack on reason, critical thinking, informed judgment and social responsibility. His distaste for Black people, migrants and others he considers disposable is matched by his support for the financial and corporate elite.
His populist pose is not only at odds with his policies, such as reducing taxes for the rich and hollowing out the social safety net, but has also pushed American society closer to an upgraded form of white supremacy and fascism.
Yet, despite the damage Trump has done to democracy, he has almost complete support of the Republican Party and a majority of Republican voters — slightly more than 58 per cent say they still plan to vote for him in the 2024 presidential election if he wins the Republican nomination. He appears poised to clinch that nomination.
Even more troubling are recent polls indicating he’s in a dead heat with U.S. President Joe Biden if they’re the presidential nominees in 2024.
What explains Trump’s appeal?
Most of media is focused on Trump’s legal troubles. But too little has been written about the conditions that have given rise to his authoritarian politics or why Trump is a national disgrace still backed by millions of Americans.
Trump’s grip on power is a collective nightmare that can only be understood in terms of the historical, economic, political and cultural conditions of which he is the endpoint.
As American anthropologist Wade Davis has observed:
“Odious as he may be, Trump is less the cause of America’s decline than a product of its descent.”
Trump embodies a society that has been in crisis for decades, but especially since the 1980s. This was a period when the right-wing counter-revolution emerged with the election of Ronald Reagan.
Since that time, the democratic values that informed the social contract and common good have been increasingly displaced by market values that stress self-interest, privatization, commodification, deregulation and the accumulation of profit and celebration of greed. Civic culture came under attack along with the erosion of the values of shared citizenship.
The market became a template for controlling not just the economy, but all of society. The language of rabid individualism replaced the notion of the common good and gave way to a disdain for community.
Snubbing social responsibility
Under the regime of neoliberalism, social responsibility is now viewed as a liability.
Government was discredited as a force for good, its public infrastructure was eroded and replaced by a culture of cruelty in which matters of compassion, care, and ethical responsibility began to disappear.
What emerged was society marked by precarity, loneliness and mass anxiety. The rising cult of individualism made it difficult for the public to translate private troubles into systemic considerations, weakening the public imagination. The rise of a media environment where politics becomes a form of entertainment helped silence any resistance to a growing culture of lies and greed.
Staggering levels of economic inequality also emerged, setting the ground for dark money shaping politics. This neoliberal poison helped to create a society of political monsters, immune to the virtues and conditions of democracy.
Democratic freedoms rooted in equality, freedom from fear, poverty and precarity gave way to what are known as ugly freedoms used to mine depths of hatred and selfishness, and redefine citizenship as the exclusive privilege of white Christian nationalists and radical evangelicals.
Harnessed to exclusion and bigotry, the language of freedom was invoked eventually by Trump and other Republican Party politicians to produce policies that have banned books, crushed dissent, limited classroom and workplace discussions about race, whitewashed African American history and justified a virulent anti-democratic politics that echo the ghosts of a fascist past.
America at a crossroads
The most important issues Americans face today are not solely about Trump’s corruption, lawlessness or open authoritarianism — it’s about learning from history.
We must rethink the lies that neoliberal capitalism have told us about how American society defines itself while rethinking what it will take to challenge and overcome the anti-democratic forces that gave rise to Trump.
The 2024 election should be about more than Trump’s ongoing legal travails. It should be a directive for what kind of society Americans want and what kind of future they desire for their children. They should regard the election as a choice between democracy and the further criminalization of American politics.
Henry Giroux is Chaired professor for Scholarship in the Public Interest in the Department of English and Cultural Studies at McMaster University.
The Conversation arose out of deep-seated concerns for the fading quality of our public discourse and recognition of the vital role that academic experts could play in the public arena. Information has always been essential to democracy. It’s a societal good, like clean water. But many now find it difficult to put their trust in the media and experts who have spent years researching a topic. Instead, they listen to those who have the loudest voices. Those uninformed views are amplified by social media networks that reward those who spark outrage instead of insight or thoughtful discussion. The Conversation seeks to be part of the solution to this problem, to raise up the voices of true experts and to make their knowledge available to everyone. The Conversation publishes nightly at 9 p.m. on FlaglerLive.
joe says
What he said!
Mr. Bill says
This author is the “Wokest of the Woke”. He’s been filed.
Sherry says
@mr bill. . . Thanks so much for pointing out that the author of this article, a highly educated university professor, is conscious, open minded, “THINKING” independently, and communicating with influence!
What about you?
Tired of it says
So what is said in the article that isn’t true? Typical trumpet response, when you can’t dispute the facts, just say nonsense and hope it deflects from the facts.
Deborah Coffey says
Define “woke,” Mr. Bill. If you’re NOT WOKE, what are you?
JimboXYZ says
That’s odd, I don’t know of any indictments that have been brought against Trump that indicate what he allegedly did included any “hate” crime charges ? If the D’s could get away with that, they certainly would add that to the list. They haven’t been shy about anything they’ve accused him of ?
Steve says
With good reason I may add. Many Republicans will be in Court testifying against him so read it and weep
DaleL says
Trump’s legal difficulties are real and growing. In addition, although he is “running” for president, it is very possible that he is not eligible to be on a ballot or to hold the office of President. People, including a number of lawyers, are dismissing/forgetting the third section of the 14th Amendment. Two conservative legal scholars, (William Baude & Michael Stokes Paulsen), recently presented a 126 page opinion on this issue. It is titled: “The Sweep and Force of Section Three”. The opinion is very detailed, but the bottom line is this:
1. The 14th Amendment has never been repealed or nullified by Congress. The previous two Congressional acts to remove the restrictions of section 3 were both worded in the past tense and applied to people at the time of the resolutions.
2. The events of January 6th were determined by Congress to be an insurrection. First, when Congress awarded four Congressional gold medals to the US Capitol Police and those who protected the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, the award declaration found that the events of January 6 constituted an insurrection. Second, a majority of the House and Senate, during Trump’s second impeachment, found he participated in an insurrection.
3. State election boards or secretaries of state determine whether a candidate is constitutionally disqualified from holding an office. Those state authorities should exercise the state-law powers they possess to remove that ineligible candidate from the ballot. If they fail in their duties, they should be sued to force compliance with the Constitution and state-law.
Let us end this nonsense, Trump incited an insurrection and is disqualified from holding any office of public trust in government.
BDH says
Huh??? I think it more like the justice department is selectively criminalizing American politics.
Sherry says
@bdh. . . It certainly appears that “you” are not actually “thinking” at all. . . merely posting FOX talking points. How pathetic!
Tired of it says
Really? So they should just stand back and let trump violate the laws of the country and do nothing?
Deborah Coffey says
No. However, Trump did try his best to criminalize HIS Justice Department…several times!
James says
Yes, but on the bright side, with Trump we’ll always be safe from a Kanamits invasion… the sight of him would make any Kanamit a vegan.
Just an unfortunate observation.
“‘The Art of the Deal…’ it’s… it’s…
… IT’S A CROOK-BOOK!!!!!!
@Pogo ;-)
Geezer says
“TO SERVE MAN.”
I watched that Twilight Zone episode just the other day.
Funny stuff!
DaleL says
To Serve Man is a very good episode. Twilight Zone Season 4, episode 4: “He’s Alive”, is relevant to the political rise and success of Mr. Trump.
James says
One of my favorite episodes.
Laurel says
Oh, I so agree with this article! Come on, Republicans, do you ever hear Trump talk about policies of substance? How we should be working at bringing this country together? No. All we ever hear from him is about what a victim he is. Poor, poor, pitiful me. “It’s a witch hunt” (coming after me all these years). “They’re not after me, their after you” (all you victims out there). “I am your retribution” (as if he gave a flying fig about you). The whole DOJ, FBI, Democratic Party, CIA, Free Press are after me. Me, me, me, me, me. “Only I can do it alone.” Me, me, me, me. He certainly is his favorite person. God, he’s tedious!
Well, do it and shut the f**k up. Stop making fun of obese people. Stop mocking people with palsy. Stop calling women ugly. Stop bragging about sexually assaulting women. Stop inciting people to violece, and most of all, stop lying. What a classless, 12 year old moron.
Just yesterday, I told my husband that I started having trouble with the Republican Party during the Regan Administration. I felt he was a puppet. I really started disliking the Bush family when Barbara Bush put Lawton Chiles (Florida Governor “Walkin’ Lawton) down for explaining he suffered from depression. I thought that was unnecessarily nasty of her. Political ads and behavior seriously went down hill from that point. The division began.
There are good Republicans out there, but right now, they are not in favor. People want selfish, bullies instead.
Land of no turn signals says says
Oh lord if Trump was just more like Hunter the world would be perfect.
Sherry says
@lonts. . . Please, what in the world has Hunter Biden to do with anything? “Hunter” is not running for President. Do you have any independent thoughts regarding “credible facts” about this article on trump, or are you capable of nothing but spewing FOX talking points?
Anthony says
The Cult Trump party are using Hunter Biden exactly what they did with Hillary Clinton, they are distracting their base from the real indictments Trump is now facing. Trump will do his usual delay, delay.
The 14 Amendments will show he is not qualified to run for President.
Trump’s legal problems were all started by himself too weak to admit he lost an election, that is when his criminal mind tried everything he could to say in power.
This has nothing to do with Democrats or Republicans it has to do with the charges Trump is now facing and it is about time it all has finally caught up with him.
James says
@Land The problem is no one knows the “real” Trump. Not you nor me… it might indeed turn out that he, in his own way, is as personally troubled as Hunter Biden.
The prudent thing in my opinion is not to put too much faith in him.
He might be “a “good Shepard,” but he might be just another nefarious lemming herder.
And also remember, the charges faced by Hunter Biden are ultimately his, not his father’s. Just as the charges faced by Trump are his alone.
Do not be miss-led into conflating the two.
GA says
Trumpers are fish excitedly chomping down on the hook that trump throws out. Don’t you see he doesn’t care about you unless you are a billionaire and/or dictator of another country ?? Wow. So incredibly immersed in his illusion
The Lawyer says
There are many Republicans who feel that Trump is innocent of any wrongs that he has been indicted for. That all of this legal entanglement that Trump is involved in is a massive set up by the Democrats. These MAGA folks that worship the ground that Trumps walks upon have lost touch with reality! Understand that when a Grand Jury is seated and presented with the facts of the case, there must be a consensus of the jury members that there is probable cause that a crime(s) was committed! It will be up to a trial jury at the Federal level to determine if Trump is guilty of these charges/crimes. So I suggest that you lame brains let the legal system play out its course to determine the guilt or non-guilt of Trump. I have no doubts that justice will be served.
Tony Mack says
You are correct — 86 witnesses against Trump and not one of them is a Democrat.!
Ban the gop says
Lock them up!
Bill C says
“He has waged an incessant attack on reason, critical thinking, informed judgment and social responsibility.”
How do you explain why facts make no difference to the MAGA crowd? Simple answer: they don’t care about facts. They want to be entertained and distracted from a world in which they feel unrecognized and displaced. Facts are disturbing and proof of their displacement. “I am your retribution”> Trump’s Las Vegas Lounge Act persona is comforting, familiar like in the good old days – “Make America Great Again.” Trump is The Real Playboy of Mar-A-Lago. Within minutes the insults fly, tables get overturned and drinks thrown in faces. Facts stink… no, you stink… no, you stink. Now that’s entertainment!
Foresee says
It was not that long ago when neighbors could easily resolve conflicts over the back yard fence instead of going to court. Your neighbor didn’t hesitate to ask you for a jump start if their battery was dead. You could ask them to help you move a couch. They would invite you to their kid’s birthday party. It’s all different now. Hate has infected the country. Families are divided over politics, friendships are broken. How can we get back to better times of cooperation? It is not the enemy from outside but the hatred and division within that will cause our downfall.
Mtn.Man says
Only you would publish crap like this. Don’t get me started on corruption. How about the Democrats, they are nothing but corrupt. The reason people like you and the person that wrote this article, if you want to call it that. You are ticked because President Trump was a successful person on the outside of politics and got elected showed all you old time politicians that someone on the outside knows more than the people on the inside. He did more good for this country than all this of you Democrats put together. Reason all of these false charges are against him is because you are afraid of him winning again. Under your boy Biden this country has gone to Hell.
Tony Mack says
Silly, silly man. Trump was successful. C’mon. He cheated with three wives, he cheated on a charity for children with cancer, he cheated on a charity for veterans, he cheated on his so-called “Trump University,” he has cheated on numerous contractors…hell, he’s been sued more than 4,000 times. With all that cheating behind him – what makes you think he wouldn’t cheat on you and this country?
The Lawyer says
Your belief in Trump is interesting. Your position shows that you are devoid of rationale In short, you are extremely ignorant!
David Schaefer says
Ntn.Man you need to be ashamed of yourself. Your homie trump has not been successful look at the hundreds of lawsuits he has had for ripping off people. I’m sick and tired of the AHOLE he is the most disgusting person in this country. He deserves to go to prison for what he has done period so tired of his MEGA supporters too they are some brainwashed bunch.
Sherry says
OK mm. . . Please post “credible facts” listing all the “good he (trump) did for our country” . Please post “credible facts” proving the charges against trump are “false”. Otherwise, we will all continue to honestly understand that all you can do is mindlessly post FOX BS talking points. Thanks!
Steve says
Alternate Reality spin on the 2X Impeached Convicted serial Sexual Assaulter and 4X Indicted Criminal Allegedly. Would love to see him just disappear but when you attempt to change the outcome of an Election, disrupt the peaceful transfer of Power you get what you deserve . Read it and weep
Jackson says
I don’t think there is anything Trump can do that would turn the MAGAts against him. Obviously these people are completely devoid of integrity, morals or ethics. How much evidence do they need before they give up on this corrupt man.
They hate Biden because his son may or may not have done something, their values are just so skewed that there really is no hope for them.
Possibility of 20+ indictments in Georgia.
Dennis C Rathsam says
Mirror, Mirror on the wall….Who,s the crookest family of them all? They appointed a special council for Trump, one for Hunter, nothing on one for the president!!!! As the FBI & DOJ, run a coverup scheme. They are so brazen with flaunting the law, this corrupt government, it seems impossible to believe. But this government knows no bounds. Wake up America, most of you voted fot this lawless administration.
Laurel says
Dennis, you have gone so far down that very strange rabbit hole, that you cannot see the man lying right to your face.
You watch. Trump will continue to poke the Federal Judge until she puts him under house arrest for contempt of court. Then he will continue to cry, cry, cry, even louder, that he’s a victim of injustice. Witch hunt, witch hunt, witch hunt! He is responsible for his own contemptuous behavior, which will have more of the cultists dig deeper into their limited pockets to try to help him. It’s disgusting on so many levels.
Hunter Biden (for whom I have no particular interest) has been investigated for six years. What have they found? He is not the President, nor is he in the running. He is a private citizen and should be investigated as such. Fox TV followers think he should be investigated as if he was a politician. Tit for tat is all that it is.
Trump tied to weaponize the DOJ with Bill Barr acting almost as Trump’s personal attorney. Barr has since switched back. To say the DOJ and the FBI are running a corrupt coverup, is highly offensive. It shows how Trump has torn the confidence in this country down.
Putin must be grinning from ear to ear.
Change the channel, or turn off the TV altogether.
Steve says
Having some Evidence goes a long way Dennis. Don’t worry it’s only 6 more years.