Locked and loaded

Conditions favoured the demagogue opportunist who harnessed the rage.

- CHARLOTTE GRIMSHAW

Last year, in a conversation with writer Dame Fiona Kidman, I suggested Donald Trump would have a path to selection as the Republican nominee for the 2024 US presidential election. Her response was typical of most sane and decent folk: a wince of consternation and words to the effect of, "Surely not!"

Many of us have gone on thinking "surely not", as Trump has continued to commit crimes. To add to the January 6 insurrection and associated wrongdoing, we now learn he has taken classified documents, including nuclear secrets, and been indicted on multiple federal criminal counts. There's the recent finding of liability in court for sexual assault, and all the further indictments expected to be laid this year. His best chance of staying out of prison is to run for president, to delay his trials, to quash investigations if he is elected.

As he ages, he looks crazier and even more flagrantly criminal, but his core followers do not waver. This is the puzzle for those of us who think, sanely and sensibly, surely not. The question goes on being asked, "Why support a candidate who is delusional, predatory and lawless?"