Since Tuesday afternoon, we know that the leader among the Republican candidates for the 2024 primaries is a sex offender.
Although Donald Trump will no doubt appeal the case, the Republicans will once again have to demonstrate exceptional talents as a contortionist to keep him in their ranks.
Justice has short legs, but a long arm
The verdict in this story is not trivial. Not only is the defendant a former president, but the facts date back to 1996. In this story as in others, it seems that Trump was his own worst enemy.
If you had any interest in this trial, you may remember that the judge suggested that the defense attorneys call their client to testify. The 45e president preferred to abstain, leaving only damning recordings as evidence.
The victory of E. Jean Carroll is also a bit like those of the 26 other plaintiffs that Trump ignored and, even more, the victory of all those victims who were able to come forward because of the Adult Survivors Act.
Through this law, the State of New York lifted the statute of limitations for one year, thus allowing victims aged 18 and over to bring charges. If we could not prosecute criminally, it was still possible to revive their civil action.
While it sometimes feels like the rich and powerful escape justice, here many women will find some comfort in seeing a billionaire and former president being held to account.
A dream opportunity for Republicans
The faith of Trump supporters is unlikely to be shaken by the guilt of their guru. He was sadly right when he claimed he could shoot someone on New York’s Fifth Avenue without losing his followers.
If we already know that he will retain a hard core, the reaction of the rest of the Republicans is likely to be one of the most interesting political spin-offs. The formation’s strategists had already come to the conclusion that Trump meant defeat.
The squaring of the circle for Republican leaders was to find a way to exclude Trump in favor of a candidate who would not drag so many pans.
Moreover, when one presents itself as the party of law and order, there must be a limit to defending the indefensible.
As demonstrated by the results of the 2020 presidential election and those of the mid-term elections, the vote of women in 2024, especially those in the suburbs, will be decisive. To offer them a sexual aggressor as a leader is to condemn oneself to sacrificing this portion of the electorate.
Republicans are at a crossroads, the time has come to resort to the slogan, French version of #MeToo, balance your pork.