In the scheme of things, it’s hard to explain why a conspiracy theory seems to be the greatest challenge to Donald Trump, who, since 2016, has weathered much worse, including accusations of aiding an insurrection.

There is a case to be made — however cynical — that politics over the last decade or so rewards unethical and even immoral behaviour. To be successful in democratic politics has always required bending some rules and norms, a degree of ruthlessness. But these were, earlier, in the best cases, a means to an end. Less charitably, politicians at the highest level at least had the decency to be hypocrites, to pay lip service to the norms of the day.

Not so, with the rise of the 21st-century populist whose emblem is US President Donald Trump. Just to put things in perspective, the real-estate mogul-turned-reality-TV-star-turned-politician has openly admitted to evading what taxes he could, famously remarked about “grabbing women”, lied, called opponents and critics names, and weaponised the highest office of the largest economic and military power in the world. He has also refused to acknowledge an electoral defeat, something fundamental to the peaceful transfer of power. There are many reasons for Trump’s seeming immunity, his popularity in the face of scandals and actions that would have brought many a greater leader down, not least his crass authenticity in........

© Indian Express