In 50 years, once we speak about this period of American politics, it will likely be really not possible to seize the chaos, exhaustion, darkness, and madness of Donald Trump’s presidencies.
There received’t be satisfactory phrases to explain how a lot modified in such a brief time period, because of Trump’s utter debasement of the workplace, and the GOP’s resolution to comply with him down one of many ugliest paths conceivable, all of the whereas abandoning ideas, morals, and primary frequent decency.
After we inform our youngsters and grandkids {that a} main political occasion in America nominated a convicted felon to be president, a person who incited an rebel on the U.S. Capitol, a person who was discovered accountable for sexual abuse — and that that occasion was as soon as the occasion of “household values,” the Christian Coalition, and legislation and order, who would consider us?
Trump’s corruption of conservatism, evangelicalism, the legislation, the Structure, and democracy has additionally had the regrettable impact of turning MAGA’s mouthpieces, together with sitting lawmakers, into completely reprehensible ghouls.
Let’s begin with Utah Sen. Mike Lee, a person I’ve hung out with and used to essentially admire earlier than he contracted MAGA mind rot, like so many different once-normal and first rate conservatives.
Within the wake of the grotesque shootings of two Minnesota Democratic lawmakers and their spouses, Lee took to social media. As a result of, proper after a tragedy, it’s at all times greatest to attempt to rating political factors with an viewers of bots and trolls.
First, he posted on X, alongside a photograph of the alleged gunman, “That is what occurs when Marxists don’t get their manner.”
After which, “Nightmare on Waltz [sic] Avenue.”
To place into context how grotesque that is, he posted this lower than 24 hours after the capturing, whereas Minnesotans have been nonetheless processing the horrific occasions of a focused assassination and the gunman was nonetheless on the free.
After all, there’s additionally the truth that Lee acquired the politics of the gunman all mistaken, assuming incorrectly that he was liberal. Whereas he was tapped for a panel by Minnesota Gov. Mike Walz at one level — thus the “nightmare” publish — Vance Boelter had a kill record of dozens of Dem lawmakers and abortion suppliers, was an outspoken evangelical Christian, and in response to individuals who knew him was a powerful supporter of Trump.
After receiving widespread condemnation for the unconscionable posts, Lee quietly eliminated them, however has not apologized. What a shame he’s turn into.
MAGA mind rot has had one other impact, which is to place fixing issues for Individuals final on the record of lawmakers’ priorities. As a substitute an important job and political forex has turn into proving their loyalty to Trump.
This week, former Fox Information host and Trump pal Tucker Carlson interviewed Sen. Ted Cruz, with the brewing Iran/Israel warfare as the principle focus.
Carlson, to his credit score, tried to pin Cruz down on some primary info about Iran, saying, “For those who’re calling for toppling a authorities, it’s incumbent on you to know one thing in regards to the nation and to suppose by way of the results of that. And also you haven’t and also you don’t. And I’m saying that’s reckless.”
After proving he knew little or no about Iran, Cruz dismissed Carlson’s requests for primary info and, with nowhere to go on substance, he predictably turned to MAGA’s favourite dodge — questioning Carlson’s loyalty to Trump.
“OK, you have interaction in reckless rhetoric with no info, and to be clear, you place out a publication attacking Donald Trump and calling him complicit,” Cruz whined.
Carlson, not eager to be out-Trumped, replied, “I campaigned for Donald Trump, and that is like, after antisemitism, that is the final refuge, ‘You’re an antisemite and also you hate Trump!’ I like Trump.”
So now, as a result of a senator shamefully can’t reply questions on a rustic we’d go to warfare in opposition to, we’re off the precise matter and onto a pissing contest over who’s the larger Trump sycophant. Pathetic.
One other attribute of MAGA mind rot? It leads very sensible individuals to make very dumb choices.
Final week, former Trump legal professional John Eastman was instructed by a California appellate disciplinary panel that the advice to disbar him for his efforts to assist overturn the 2020 election would stand. One other choose had beforehand concluded Eastman had dedicated “a number of acts of ethical turpitude” in service of Trump and his phony, ego-driven claims of election fraud.
Eastman is joined by many different former Trump attorneys who’ve since seen their legislation licenses taken away, both quickly or completely, and their reputations destroyed, from Michael Cohen to Jenna Ellis, Rudy Giuliani to Kenneth Chesebro, all as a result of they acquired in mattress with Trump and made horrible decisions.
No matter you considered these individuals earlier than Trump — and I’ve identified a lot of them personally — it’s exhausting to think about they might have sunk so low with out his imprimatur, with out his struggling virtually no penalties for being a horrible individual, with out him dragging everybody in his orbit into the gutter with him.
They justify all of it as a result of Trump has satisfied them that performing like he does is one way or the other a righteous trigger that supersedes morality, the Ten Commandments, and primary human decency.
No matter precise points draw voters in — and a few are completely authentic — they’re utterly corrupted by MAGA mind rot. It’s actual, it’s disgusting, it’s contagious, and it would simply be incurable.
S.E. Cupp is the host of “S.E. Cupp Unfiltered” on CNN.
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