Will Republicans be able to wipe Trump’s crimes from the history books? – Salon
Having been boxed in by the overwhelming evidence of Donald Trump's guilt on the Ukraine extortion campaign, on collusion with a Russian conspiracy to influence the 2016 election and on subsequent efforts to cover it up Republicans have given up trying to carve out rational-sounding defenses for his criminal behavior. Instead, they've moved into the territory of simply denying reality, with little seeming interest in trying to make their lies sound plausible at all.
Republican members on the House Intelligence Committee just released what amounts to a "pre-buttal" of the truth, expected in the upcoming Democratic report. There is no attempt to engage with the actual evidence against Trump, just more spewing of conspiracy theories and lies meant to distract Trump's followers. The document shows, according to Stephen Collinson of CNN, that Republicans have fully embraced the Trumpian stratey of calling "on supporters to ignore the evidence of their own eyes."
Similarly, reports suggest that Attorney General Bill Barr is back to his old tricks of running cover for Trump's collusion with Russian intelligence and obstruction of justice.According to the Washington Post,Barr "disagrees with the Justice Departments inspector generalon one of the key findings in an upcoming report," which is that the FBI had ample reason to look into the Trump campaign's extensive Russian connections.
As with the GOP report from House Intelligence, this amounts to nothing more than a laughable assurance that the sky is not blue because it suits Trump to believe the sky is red.
What Republicans hope to accomplish with all this blatant lying in the short term is obvious: just enough excuses for Trump voters to repeat their grotesque transgression against decency in the voting booth in 2020. There appears to be no thought involved, beyond doing whatever it takes to keep power in November.
But that does raise the question of how conservatives imagine this playing out in the long term, particularly with regard to how the history books will think of this moment and the role Republicans are playing in it.
The overwhelming evidence against Trump is such that even some of the more cowardly mainstream media outlets are moving away from the "some say bears are bears while others say bears are sheep, and there's no way to know the difference" coverage and towards more substantive "yep, he did it" coverage.
Historians, we must hope, will have even less incentive to shy away from drawing the straightforward conclusion that Trump is super-duper guilty (of the Ukraine extortion and many other things). The upcoming failure to convict him in the Senate is an inarguable demonstration that the entire Republican Party has abandoned their duties to the rule of law. Trump's guilt and Republican complicity will be regarded as historical facts, at least in the traditional academic sense of the term.
But, as anyone who has dealt with conservatives before is aware, just because something is a historical fact doesn't mean it will be accepted as such by the right. On the contrary, there's a long-standing tendency in American conservatism of trying to erase, distort or otherwise confuse people about history, usually for the purpose of making their historical counterparts look better, or to make their current viewpoints seem less toxic.
One of the oldest and most egregious examples of this is the decades spent by conservatives seeding the myth that the Civil War was about an abstract debate over "states' rights," when, in fact, the Confederacy clearly and undeniably sought to secede in order to protect the institution of slavery. It's a lie that is up there with Holocaust denialism, in terms of its immorality. Sadly, it has had far more mainstream acceptance, and even more of a widespread social and political impact, than Holocaust denialism.
The ongoing fights over the Confederate war memorials largely erected in the 20th century to intimidate black people, but justified with the same "states' rights" nonsense is a testament to the way that a politically convenient lie can persist for decades, even in the face of overwhelming evidence contradicting it. Which raises a real concern that even after Trump is gone, conservatives unwilling to admit that they made a mistake, and perhaps eager to double down on the politics of Trumpism will move to rewrite history in the same way they are trying to rewrite the present, casting Trump as a hero and those who tried to stop his crimes as the villains.
It's an open question. There's plenty of right-wing blights on history right-wingers being a major source of historical blight that modern day Republicans don't try to erase from the record. There's no big push in the modern right to revise the history of Richard Nixon's Watergate scandal, for instance.And while some conservatives have tried to shift historical understandings by claiming that Joe McCarthy was right about the commies or minimizing the gains of feminism, mostly these efforts mostly haven't caught fire.
But some conservative efforts to revise history away from the facts have been disturbingly successful. The realities of lynching, race riots, and the successful campaign to deprive black Americans of property and wealth have been mostly erased from mainstream history. Only recently, under pressure from historians, activists and black journalists, has this forgotten history been revitalized in public. The civil rights movement and the segregationist policies it opposed have been harder to hide, so conservatives have tried to appropriate that history, claiming falsely to be the true heirs of the civil rights legacy and falsely accusing current anti-racists of opposing the vision of Martin Luther King Jr. and other social justice pioneers.
Notably, the parts of our history where conservatives have focused most of their energy, and have been most successful at distorting reality tend to be about race, although they have also waged counterattacks on labor, women's rights and environmentalism. Even now, conservatives are having a multi-month meltdown over the New York Times publishing a series of pieces about the legacy of slavery and racism, with an intensity they'd never bring to, say, a discussion of violent strike-breaking in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
All that makes the question of whether or not Republicans will eventually drop the "Trump is innocent" act an especially interesting one. On one hand, Trump's crimes are about corruption, the sort of thing Republicans often don't bother denying once it's drifted from the newspaper to the history books. We're seeing this happen presently with George W. Bush, where the same people who used to adamantly deny that he lied about WMDs in Iraq are largely though not completely giving up the ghost. It's easy to imagine a world where, once Trump is gone, Republicans move on and pretend they weren't all crazy about the guy and willing to tell any outrageous and ridiculous lie to protect him.
On the other hand, Trump's popularity on the right is due mostly to his racism. The lies Republicans tell may be about his corruption, but their purpose in telling them is to protect the white grievance politics that Trump peddles. He might end up being a figure somewhat like the Confederate generals, Klansmen and segregationists of old, whom conservatives trying to paint as noble heroes standing up for a valiant "lost cause." Even Ronald Reagan gets some glow from that, as the corruption of Iran-Contra is largely forgotten while conservatives exalt Reagan, who ran an ugly race-baiting campaign, as a legendary American hero.
Nixon was also a racist, but maybe not as overtly and ferociously so as Reagan, so Nixon doesn't get much of a fierce defense from the modern-day right. Also, Nixon resigned in disgrace while Reagan served two full terms, making it a lot easier for conservatives to play dumb about Reagan's likely corruption.
Where will Trump land on this scale of conservative historical revisionism? Will he be lauded as a hero? Will the evidence against him be denied by conservatives for generations to come? Or will they give up trying to defend the indefensible once the immediate political need for it comes to an end? It's genuinely hard to predict, but whatever direction they choose to go will say a lot about what conservatism in a post-Trump world will look like.
Original post:
Will Republicans be able to wipe Trump's crimes from the history books? - Salon
- Trump trains his fire on GOP allies, and worries Republicans - The Hill - August 1st, 2025 [August 1st, 2025]
- Republicans bet big on Latino voters in redistricted Texas - Politico - August 1st, 2025 [August 1st, 2025]
- Texas Republicans release a redistricting plan that could achieve Trump's aims - NPR - August 1st, 2025 [August 1st, 2025]
- Trump says Republicans should vote the exact opposite of Susan Collins - The Portland Press Herald - August 1st, 2025 [August 1st, 2025]
- Article | Senate Republicans look to blunt Trumps barrage of attacks on solar and wind - POLITICO Pro - August 1st, 2025 [August 1st, 2025]
- Georgia Republicans rush to return First Liberty donations but majority of funds are still missing - Georgia Recorder - August 1st, 2025 [August 1st, 2025]
- Michigan House Republicans aim to repeal 2023 ban on LGBTQ+ conversion therapy - WWMT - August 1st, 2025 [August 1st, 2025]
- Texas Republicans unveil congressional map that could gift them five seats - The Guardian - August 1st, 2025 [August 1st, 2025]
- All the ways Republicans want to honor Trump, from the $100 bill to Mount Rushmore - AP News - August 1st, 2025 [August 1st, 2025]
- Republicans Look Set To Get Wiped Out in 2025 and 2026 | Opinion - Newsweek - August 1st, 2025 [August 1st, 2025]
- Trump Blasts Recess-Ready Republicans in All-Caps Rant: DO YOUR JOB - The Daily Beast - August 1st, 2025 [August 1st, 2025]
- 'The Daily Show' reacts to Republicans defending the Sydney Sweeney American Eagle ad - Mashable - August 1st, 2025 [August 1st, 2025]
- Poll: Nearly 70% of Americans including a majority of Republicans think the government is hiding something about Jeffrey Epstein - yahoo.com - August 1st, 2025 [August 1st, 2025]
- TRUMP'S GRIP SLIPS: Signs Republicans are finding less value in siding with Trump over constituents - MSNBC News - August 1st, 2025 [August 1st, 2025]
- Maine Republicans Are Asking Voters to Restrict Their Own Rights - Democracy Docket - August 1st, 2025 [August 1st, 2025]
- Republicans in active conversation over whether to change Senate rules and speed up stalled Trump nominees - CNN - July 30th, 2025 [July 30th, 2025]
- Texas House Republicans unveil new congressional map that looks to pick up five GOP seats - The Texas Tribune - July 30th, 2025 [July 30th, 2025]
- Republicans move to clear final hurdles to funding bill before recess - The Hill - July 30th, 2025 [July 30th, 2025]
- Republicans Passed the OBBB to Secure Our BordersHere's What We Do Next - Newsweek - July 30th, 2025 [July 30th, 2025]
- NC Republicans override Gov. Stein's vetoes on gun, immigration bills - WCNC - July 30th, 2025 [July 30th, 2025]
- Republicans split over the hunger crisis in Gaza as Trump says he'll push for aid - NBC News - July 30th, 2025 [July 30th, 2025]
- Republicans across the country are pushing bills to stop government 'weather modification' - NBC News - July 30th, 2025 [July 30th, 2025]
- As Gaza Starves, Republicans Take Aim at Another Lifeline. Almost No One Noticed. - The Intercept - July 30th, 2025 [July 30th, 2025]
- How Republicans are trying to redistrict their way to a majority - vox.com - July 30th, 2025 [July 30th, 2025]
- Republicans and Democrats are joining forces to fix Americas housing affordability crisis. Heres whats in their plan. - MarketWatch - July 30th, 2025 [July 30th, 2025]
- Vice President JD Vance hits the road again to sell the Republicans big new tax law - AP News - July 28th, 2025 [July 28th, 2025]
- How Texas Republicans could overplay their hand in drawing new congressional districts - Axios - July 28th, 2025 [July 28th, 2025]
- Vice President JD Vance visits Ohio to sell the Republicans big new tax law - Cleveland 19 News - July 28th, 2025 [July 28th, 2025]
- N.C. House and Senate Republicans prepare to override Gov. Steins vetoes - Elon News Network - July 28th, 2025 [July 28th, 2025]
- Roy Cooper's Chances of Beating Republicans as He Announces Senate Run - Newsweek - July 28th, 2025 [July 28th, 2025]
- Republicans Begin Effort to Sell Tax Law in Trump Policy Bill to Las Vegas Voters - The New York Times - July 27th, 2025 [July 27th, 2025]
- Americans Want to Know Which Corporations Arent Paying Taxes, but House Republicans Want to Keep this Information Secret - itep.org - July 27th, 2025 [July 27th, 2025]
- Congressional Candidate Dragged Out of Hearing After Criticizing Texas Republicans - People.com - July 27th, 2025 [July 27th, 2025]
- Don't be fooled: Top Iowa Republicans warn Rob Sand is a far left candidate as governor's race picks up - thegazette.com - July 27th, 2025 [July 27th, 2025]
- ENDANGERED SPECIES | The fall of the Kansas moderate Republicans from the view of Ron Freeman - themercury.com - July 27th, 2025 [July 27th, 2025]
- House Republicans Introduce Resolution Establishing New Select Subcommittee to Continue Investigation of the Events Surrounding January 6 -... - July 27th, 2025 [July 27th, 2025]
- The next big health care fight that's splitting Republicans: From the Politics Desk - NBC News - July 27th, 2025 [July 27th, 2025]
- Republicans plan to use threat of third Trump impeachment as key issue to boost their standing in midterm races - The Independent - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Republicans Are Already Giving Up Hope in This Key Election Race - The Daily Beast - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Some Virginia Republicans are facing off against familiar opponents this year and more headlines - Virginia Mercury - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Republicans plan to use the threat of impeachment as a key midterm issue - NBC News - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- The state where immigration raids are becoming a problem for Republicans - Politico - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- UWEC professor that flipped over College Republicans table suspended for 1 academic year - WEAU - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- WATCH: Sen. Schiff Urges Senate Republicans to Reject Emil Boves Nomination, Warns of Threats to Rule of Law - Senator Schiff (.gov) - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Republicans Are Panicking Over the Virginia Governors Race - Politico - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Republicans Rely on Trumps Promises to Grease the Path for His Agenda - The New York Times - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Opinion | Republicans are adding health care taxes but not on the rich - The Washington Post - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Senate Republicans miffed as House bolts for recess while they stay behind - The Hill - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Wisconsin Republicans move to repeal Gov. Tony Evers 400-year school funding increase - WPR - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Republicans Rethink the Structure of College Athletics - Inside Higher Ed - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Full List of Republicans Who Voted to Subpoena Epstein Files from DOJ - Newsweek - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Republicans Call Medicaid Rife With Fraudsters. This Man Sees No Choice but To Break the Rules. - KFF Health News - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- House Republicans head home for recess, sure to face Epstein questions when they get there - ABC News - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Newt Gingrich predicts a big win for Republicans in the midterms if they continue to communicate - Fox Business - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Perry one of 3 Republicans to call for subpoena of Epstein files from Justice Department - York Dispatch - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- How much do Republicans care about the Epstein files? More than it might seem - CNN - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Senate Republicans mourn the passing of Sen. Bruce Anderson - Minnesota Senate Republicans - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Republicans are ready to revive stalled health care legislation. Dems want the GOP to pay a price. - Politico - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Letters to the Editor: Republicans should be more concerned about their fiscal policies than the woke left - Los Angeles Times - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- North Texas Republicans gather for 'Red Rally' ahead of special session - Spectrum News - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Senate Republicans Abandon All Integrity in Judicial Nomination Vote - Alliance for Justice - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Analysis: Ohio Republicans warned against out-of-state special interests. Then gifted $600M to one - Ohio Capital Journal - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Republicans break down billions in ICE funding in Trump's 'big, beautiful bill' - Fox News - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Press Release: Hakeem Jeffries Criticizes House Republicans' "One Big Ugly Bill" as Costly and Ineffective - Quiver Quantitative - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- House Republicans know that @RepGarbarino will serve as a steady hand at the helm of the House Homeland Security Committee as Congressional... - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- The 2026 Senate map is tough for Democrats, but Republicans have their own headaches - MPR News - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Republicans food aid cuts will hit grocers in many towns that backed Trump - Politico - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Texas Republicans aim to redraw House districts at Trumps urging, but theres a risk - AP News - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Hill Republicans brace for another grueling fight over Trumps spending cuts - Politico - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- The 2026 Senate map is tough for Democrats, but Republicans have their own headaches - El Paso Inc. - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- The 2026 Senate map is tough for Democrats, but Republicans have their own headaches - Norwalk Hour - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- The 2026 Senate map is tough for Democrats, but Republicans have their own headaches - Bay to Bay News - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- What Republicans think of Musk and Trump after Musk's acrimonious exit from the administration - YouGov - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Ron Johnson, Wisconsin Republicans at odds with Trump over release of Epstein case documents - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Georgia Republicans Have Gone Full Knives Out - Bloomberg.com - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Republicans are trying to pull Pat Dugan back into the District Attorney race - Billy Penn at WHYY - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Trump backs Texas plan to redraw voting maps to benefit House Republicans - Reuters - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- 'Long overdue': Senate Republicans ram through Trump's clawback package with cuts to foreign aid, NPR - Fox News - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Senate Judiciary Committee Republicans advance nomination of former Trump lawyer Emil Bove as Democrats walk out - CNN - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Governor Hochul Convenes Cabinet Meeting on Devastating Impacts of Republicans Big Ugly Bill on New York State - Governor Kathy Hochul (.gov) - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]