Context:

Donald Trump's shameless approach to politics is highlighted as his 'superpower', allowing him to commit actions without fear of repercussions and to maintain strong support from his base. His strategy involves framing Democrats and liberal policies as inherently corrupt, thereby justifying his self-serving actions and rallying support for his agenda. This approach has fundamentally altered the Republican Party's moral guidelines, normalizing self-enrichment and using it as a tool to mobilize his supporters. Despite numerous scandals and legal challenges, his transparent defiance of norms has been embraced by his followers, who perceive his actions as an expression of strength against a rigged system. However, Trump's continued claims of corruption against Democrats have not stopped the decline in his approval ratings, suggesting a possible political cost to his strategy in the broader electorate.

Dive Deeper:

• Trump's political strategy involves portraying Democrats and liberal institutions as corrupt, a tactic that resonates with his base and serves to justify his actions, including self-enrichment while in office.

• This narrative has been effective in galvanizing support among those who feel politically marginalized, casting Trump as a champion against a perceived rigged system favoring a select few.

• Despite multiple scandals, including allegations of corruption and self-dealing, Trump remains unapologetic and transparent, viewing his shamelessness as a form of strength and confidence that fortifies loyalty among his supporters.

• Trump's norm-breaking behavior, including his open business interests and controversial executive actions, is embraced by his followers who see it as a challenge to a corrupt establishment, although it alienates more moderate voters.

• The portrayal of Democrats as prioritizing special interests over the average citizen has been strategically used by Trump to exploit vulnerabilities in liberal policies aimed at addressing systemic inequalities.

• Many scholars argue that the perception of Democrats as corrupt has been cultivated by the MAGA movement, which has expanded the definition of corruption beyond traditional boundaries.

• Despite the effectiveness of his tactics within his base, Trump's approval ratings have been declining, indicating potential limitations to his strategy and suggesting a need for political recalibration.