Star of his own show Trump's path back to power
The same cannot be said this time. America knew Trump was a convicted criminal, serial liar and racist demagogue who four years ago attempted to overthrow the government. It still voted for him.
Future historians will marvel at how Trump rose from the political dead. When he lost the 2020 election to Joe Biden, people gathered outside the White House to celebrate, brandishing signs that said, "Bon Voyage", "Democracy wins!", "You're fired!", "Trump is over" and "Loser". There was a tone of finality, a sense that, after four gruelling years, this particular national nightmare was finished.
Then came Trump's ultimate disgrace, the deadly insurrection at the US Capitol on 6 January 2021. He seemed at peace with the idea that his own vice-president, Mike Pence, might be hanged by the rampaging mob. He had finally gone too far. "Count me out," Senator Lindsay Graham of South Carolina, once a devout Trump loyalist, said in an impassioned speech on the Senate floor.
But the political obituary writers forgot that Trump, now 78, is the luckiest man in the world. A series of opportunities to snuff out his political career, banishing him to golf courses in Florida for the rest of his days, were squandered.
Trump was impeached, for the second time, by the House of Representatives. At his Senate trial, Republican leader Mitch McConnell, who has called Trump "stupid" and "despicable", could have instructed his colleagues to convict, barring him from running for office again. But he failed to do so and Trump was acquitted.
Trump immediately began regathering political strength. Representative Kevin McCarthy, who had initially denounced him, made a pilgrimage to Mar-aLago and bowed the knee. From that moment on, it was clear the Republican party was still the Trump party. Not even electoral defeat and its violent aftermath could break the fever.
Denne historien er fra November 07, 2024-utgaven av The Guardian.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9500+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra November 07, 2024-utgaven av The Guardian.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9500+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Palace could lose European place over Textor shares
Uefa has rejected offers from the Crystal Palace shareholders John Textor and David Blitzer to put their shares in a blind trust to ensure the club can compete in Europe next season.
Chechnya 'Standing at my mother's graveside, I promised to tell her story'
Lana Estemirova was 15 in 2009, when her mother, the renowned Chechen human rights activist Natalia Estemirova, was kidnapped and murdered.
Reform UK chair quits in blow to Farage
Zia Yusuf has resigned as the chair of Reform UK after suggesting that it was \"dumb\" of the party's newest MP to ask the prime minister if he would ban burqas.
Israel 'arming lawless Palestinian gang who are looting aid in Gaza'
Israel's government has been accused of arming a Palestinian criminal gang, whose members have allegedly looted humanitarian aid, in an apparent effort to counter Hamas in Gaza.
Sabalenka breaks new ground before Gauff ends Boisson's journey
After successfully devoting the past few years of her life to becoming a more well-rounded player and mentally durable individual, Aryna Sabalenka arrived on court for her second French Open semi-final certain that she was finally ready for more.
White House ban on travel to US from 12 countries branded 'racist'
Democrats and civil rights groups have condemned Donald Trump's travel ban on 12 countries as \"reckless\" and \"racist\", with some warning the policy may be an effort to distract Americans from the president's much-criticised tax bill.
Natural England Ministers 'wrong to see nature as obstacle to new housing'
The government's leading environmental adviser has said ministers are wrong to suggest nature is blocking development.
Wiegman still has work to do as clouds of doubt hang over England
A glitzy Euro squad launch for the reigning champions to 'go again' helps the feelgood factor but questions remain over team harmony, strength in depth and player welfare
Labour bans bonuses for 10 water bosses amid worsening pollution
Government uses new powers to target top executives at six firms
'No crisis at all' Wiegman hits back over squad withdrawals as James returns
Sarina Wiegman has defended her management style after finding herself without the Euro 2022 winners Mary Earps, Fran Kirby and Millie Bright for July's defence of their European title, saying she does not beat around the bush when it comes to having honest conversations with her players.
