Summary of the Analysis
The current topic in the American political landscape is a highly counterintuitive one: Trump, as the first former president in U.S. history to face dozens of criminal charges and a plethora of controversies, has not only not withdrawn from the presidential race but also seen his support rates rise. A significant number of ordinary voters are far more forgiving of him than any traditional politician in the past. Despite knowing about his many flaws, many people are still willing to vote for him. This phenomenon is not merely a joke about Americans being unable to distinguish right from wrong; it is the inevitable result of a combination of factors such as the economic struggles of ordinary Americans over the past few decades, the widening gap between social classes, and the collapse of public trust in institutions.
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Detailed Interpretation
1. Trump has provided tangible benefits to lower-income groups, which people remember more positively than his negative actions
Ignore the constant criticism from elite American media. If you talk to farmers in the midwestern states or blue-collar workers in the Rust Belt, most of them can list specific benefits they have received during Trump's presidency. For example, Trump reduced taxes for those below the middle class, allowing many families to receive tax refunds of several hundred to thousands of dollars each year. He imposed tariffs on imported goods, prompting many manufacturing plants to return to the United States, and he even managed to keep domestic gasoline prices at around $2 per gallon (about 3.6 yuan per liter), which is much more affordable than during the inflationary period when Biden took office. These tangible improvements in people's lives outweigh any scandalous news or legal issues related to Trump. As a result, people subconsciously downplay his shortcomings and are more tolerant of him.
2. Voters dislike not Trump's "misdeeds" but the pretense of all traditional politicians
For decades, U.S. presidents and congressmen have mostly come from elite backgrounds, such as Ivy League universities. They always speak in a polished manner, claiming to serve the people, but in reality, they either secretly cut taxes for Wall Street or vote for military contracts that benefit the military-industrial complex. Ordinary Americans have been deceived time and again by this facade of "political correctness." In contrast, Trump openly criticizes mainstream media and Washington bureaucrats on social media. Even when sued, he dares to claim that these actions are part of a political persecution by the Democrats. This honesty makes him seem more genuine to many voters; even if he has flaws, they see it as a sign that he is not pretending to be what he is not. His so-called "misdeeds" are viewed by his supporters as evidence of his willingness to challenge the entire elite establishment, which instead adds to his credibility.
3. High tolerance is essentially a matter of choosing sides: The enemy of my enemy is my friend
American society has become deeply divided. On one side are the tech elites, media executives, and university professors from the East and West Coasts who constantly preach political correctness and often criticize conservative voters as uneducated. On the other side are the blue-collar workers, small farmers, and small business owners, whose real incomes have not increased in 20 years, while housing prices and university tuition have doubled. These people see the elite class as an enemy that threatens their livelihoods. As a result, whenever the elite collectively criticize someone, lower-income voters stand up in defense of that person. Voters don't really care if Trump has made mistakes; they simply want to vote against what the elite want them to vote against, as a way to vent their frustration after being suppressed for decades. Their so-called "high tolerance" is not a sign of ignorance but a deliberate choice to ignore his flaws.
4. The credibility of mainstream media is in shatters; people no longer believe the propaganda that Trump is a bad person
The mainstream media in the U.S. has made numerous mistakes over the past decade. For instance, the media falsely claimed that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction based on a single bottle of laundry detergent during the Iraq war, and the "Trump-Russia scandal" turned out to be baseless. During the pandemic, their reports on masks and vaccines were repeatedly contradicted by facts. Now, over 60% of Americans do not trust media outlets like CNN and The New York Times. When the media constantly portrays Trump as a villain, voters respond with skepticism, seeing him as a victim of a conspiracy by the media. The more the media exposes his flaws, the more unified his supporters become.
5. Voters have no other choice but to settle for the least bad option
Neither party in the U.S. can present a viable candidate. Biden, in his 80s, often stumbles in his speeches and has caused high inflation and immigration issues, making life harder for ordinary people. The other Republican candidates are all part of the established establishment, lacking a grassroots base and the courage to challenge the elite. In this situation, Trump, despite his flaws, is the only candidate who has provided tangible benefits to lower-income groups and has dared to confront the elite. With no other options, voters tend to overlook his shortcomings and vote for him as a way to express their dissatisfaction with the elite.
In summary, the high level of tolerance for Trump is not a sign of ignorance but a result of deep-seated social divisions and a desire to challenge the dominant elite class.