Periodically, C-SPAN surveys historians, professors and other professional observers of the presidency on ten qualities of presidential leadership: Public Persuasion, Crisis Leadership, Economic Management, Moral Authority, International Relations, Administrative Skills, Relations with Congress, Vision/Setting an Agenda, Pursued Equal Justice for All and Performance Within the Context of the Times. As of 2021, Donald Trump was ranked 41 of 43 just ahead of Andrew Jackson and James Buchanon. Yet, two-thirds of Trump’s loyal supporters stand with him.
Consider that Trump is facing four criminal indictments, was impeached twice, and has a $5 million sexual abuse and a $2 million charity abuse judgment against him. His fake charity and his fake university were shut down. He has 26 sexual assault allegations pending and his six bankruptcies undermine his business prowess. Yet, his legal problems have not dampened their enthusiasm.
The Washington Post catalogued Trump’s untrue statements and found he had accumulated 30,573 untruths during his presidency. You may well ask, how could such a deceitful and duplicitous figure win the White House in the first place and then retain the loyalty of so many voters after his endless lies were exposed?
Trump supporters believe he did a great job as president but seem hard-pressed to list his accomplishments. No matter what, they still stand behind him despite his serious legal problems and his history of lies. Their only concern is that his current legal problems may affect his electability.