*Editor’s note: On March 4, 2022, Russia enacted a law that criminalizes public opposition to, or independent news reporting about, the war in Ukraine. The law makes it a crime to call the war a “war” rather than a “special military operation” on social media or in a news article or broadcast. The law is understood to penalize any language that “discredits” Russia’s use of its military in Ukraine, calls for sanctions or protests Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. It punishes anyone found to spread “false information” about the invasion with up to 15 years in prison.
Donald Trump is the most well-known politician in history to launch his own line of sneakers. Bloomberg reported that the former U.S. president introduced his latest business venture – bright gold high-tops – in Philadelphia on Feb. 18. The sneakers, adorned with a large “T” logo on the side and the American flag on the back, started with a price tag of $400 and sold out within just two hours. Despite a setback in his civil fraud trial and being ordered to pay a hefty fine, the Republican continues to expand his support among voters. Naturally, the question arises: Will the scandals and indictments propel Trump back to the White House? Mikhail Gurevich, a FM political columnist, shares his thoughts on the former president’s potential reelection.
Trump is simultaneously campaigning across the country while defending himself in a series of court cases. On Feb. 16, a New York judge, having ruled that the former president fraudulently misstated the value of Trump Organization’s assets, ordered him to pay $355 million in penalties and also barred him from running any New York corporation or entity for three years. While the fine is massive, the 45th president is wealthy enough to pay it. Bloomberg puts Trump’s net worth at $3.1 billion, and apparently, the Republican candidate is willing to pay whatever it takes to make a triumphant return to Washington.
Trump’s lawyers are expected to appeal the judge’s ruling. Legal experts believe that the process could take several years. However, this is not the only legal case facing the former president. Trump will also stand trial on March 25 on 34 felony charges brought by the Manhattan District Attorney’s office. Among other things, Trump is accused of covering up a sex scandal. The prosecution theory is that Trump hid damaging information from voters, knowing that it would hurt his chances in the 2016 presidential election. If convicted, Trump could face a maximum sentence of four years in prison. Moreover, since the New York indictment involves exclusively state crimes, Trump cannot pardon himself in the case even if he gets reelected as president in November.
It’s hard to shake the feeling that the potential reelection is the driving force behind the barrage of charges against the billionaire politician. Contrary to popular belief, criminal charges boost Trump’s chances of winning the election. Rather than running a conventional campaign, the Republican candidate might just be reading out indictments, while his supporters grow more determined to vote for him. Both the Republican primary results and preelection polls consistently confirm this tendancy.
I’m not sure if the Democrats have any election strategies besides legal battles, but if that’s the case, they should consider a change in approach. The time for creativity is running out. The South Carolina Republican primary will take place on Feb. 24. Major candidates on the Republican ticket include Trump and Nikki Haley, his last remaining Republican opponent, who served as South Carolina’s governor. If Haley loses in her home state, she’ll likely drop out of the presidential race, and Trump will technically be in the home stretch. JPMorgan Asset Management strategist Michael Cembalest also suggests that President Biden would leave the 2024 race “sometime between Super Tuesday and the November election, citing health reasons.”
However, it’s highly unlikely that Kamala Harris, the most unpopular vice president in U.S. history, can beat Trump. Frankly speaking, Americans must accept the fact that in November they’ll once again have to choose between two elderly gentlemen. And if this uninspiring choice doesn’t appeal to them, they can always order a mug or a t-shirt online with the most appropriate slogan for the U.S. – Make America Young Again.
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