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Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday July 19, 2023

Trump Uses Bad News to Energize His Base

Former U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent announcement that he is now a target of the Justice Department’s investigation into efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election is just the latest episode in a long series of legal challenges he faces. Rather than being subdued by the mounting allegations, Trump seems to be using the bad news as a means to rally his troops and strengthen his position within the Republican party.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump disclosed the existence of a target letter he received from prosecutors, indicating that he could soon be facing charges related to the 2020 election. While the purpose of such a letter is to inform individuals about their right to appear before a grand jury, Trump took the opportunity to emphasize the timeline, stating he has been given a mere four days to report. His claim that this usually leads to an arrest and indictment echoes a familiar pattern of presenting himself as a victim of persecution.

This revelation comes on top of the existing state and federal charges in New York and Florida, as well as the ongoing election-interference investigation in Georgia. The mounting legal problems do not seem to dampen Trump’s ambitions for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. Instead, he appears to use these challenges to present himself as a defiant figure, further solidifying his image as a strong leader fighting against the odds.

Throughout his political career, Trump has been no stranger to controversy and legal battles. Just last month, he was indicted on 37 federal felony counts in relation to accusations of illegally retaining classified documents at his Florida estate, Mar-a-Lago. Despite these charges, he maintains his innocence, consistently pleading not guilty.

The pretrial conference for this case took place recently, where Trump’s lawyers pressed for an indefinite delay of the trial date. While the judge has not yet issued a decision on the matter, Trump’s legal team seems confident in leveraging the court system to their advantage, possibly in an attempt to buy time and sway public opinion.

Trump’s impeachment by the Democratic-led House for incitement of insurrection following the Capitol riot has only added fuel to the fire. Although he was acquitted in the Senate, Trump continues to exploit the events of January 6th, framing himself as a victim of political bias while downplaying his role in the escalation of tensions.

Special counsel Jack Smith’s investigation has honed in on Trump’s efforts and those of his allies to overturn the election results. This includes the role of lawyers pressuring for the overturning of results and the submission of false electoral certificates to Congress. Witnesses, including former Vice President Mike Pence and Trump’s lawyer Rudy Giuliani, have been questioned before a grand jury. Despite this scrutiny, Trump’s allies remain loyal, refusing to turn against him even in the face of legal repercussions.

News: Trump Faces Possible Indictment in Capitol Attack Investigation

As Trump navigates this legal quagmire, he continues to tap into his tried-and-tested strategy of rallying his supporters around him, portraying himself as a victim of a biased justice system and a target of political persecution. By framing himself as a warrior fighting against the establishment, Trump energizes his base, ensuring that his political ambitions remain alive and well, even amid the ongoing investigations.

It remains to be seen how these legal challenges will unfold and whether Trump’s fervent base of supporters will be enough to propel him to a potential presidential bid in 2024. However, one thing is clear: Trump’s ability to leverage bad news and turn it into a rallying cry is a testament to his enduring influence in American politics. (AI)

From sketch to finish, see the current way Graeme completes an editorial cartoon using an iPencil, the Procreate app, and a couple of cheats on an iPad Pro. If you’re creative, give illustration a try: