TL/DR –
Donald Trump has been found guilty on all 34 felony counts he faced, making him the first president in American history to be convicted of a crime. The case was related to falsifying business records in connection with hush money payments. Despite the conviction, many of Trump’s supporters are convinced the verdict is evidence of a “rigged system,” reinforcing narratives Trump has cultivated and pushed in right-wing media for years.
Right-wing media, led by the popular podcast “Timcast IRL”, argued the innocence of Donald Trump in the week leading to his conviction in Manhattan. They criticized the criminal case against the former president, describing it as “absurdity and insanity.”
Their guest, Kash Patel, a former Trump official, asserted that Michael Cohen, the former president’s lawyer and star witness in the case, had sabotaged the prosecution’s case. The hosts and guests of the podcast believed the case was a result of a “rigged system.”
A jury found Trump guilty of all 34 felony counts, including falsifying business records related to hush money payments intended to cover up his affair with an adult movie star. This is a historic moment, making Trump the first president in American history to be convicted.
Is America more polarised than ever?
The guilty verdict reinforced the belief among many Trump supporters that the system is “rigged” against Trump and anyone who supports him. This narrative, promoted by Trump in the right-wing media, resonates strongly among his followers.
Meanwhile, outside the right-wing media circle, such comments are reported with a combination of disbelief and worry. Mainstream outlets emphasize the significant threat this rhetoric and the growing normalisation of political violence pose to American democracy.
The growing divergence in American politics, culture, and society is often referred to as “polarisation” – a phenomenon where political viewpoints diverge more and more into extremes.
This division, deeply rooted in American history, is not simplistically a question of polarization that can be reversed. The varied reactions to Trump’s conviction reveal a hard truth: the United States has been and continues to be politically divided. Trump has adeptly leveraged this to his advantage, turning the conviction into a winning campaign strategy.
The new normal
Despite this, some optimists argue that American democracy and its institutions are strong. They point to polls showing that a potential shift in Trump’s supporters’ attitudes could occur due to a criminal conviction. This is particularly true for Democrats and independents who had previously voted for Trump.
However, recent polls suggest a change; voters might only be swayed by imprisonment rather than a conviction, an unlikely event. Some polls suggest a conviction may not matter at all.
Trump, known for his ability to shun accountability, has consistently maintained his position in politics. His resilience, despite multiple criminal convictions, could potentially make him the first former US president to win an election.
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