We live in an age of toxic American exceptionalism, says veteran BBC correspondent Nick Bryant
‘When, for American democracy, did things go wrong?’ . The razzmatazz of the road to the White House. The pomp and all-American circumstance of inaugural celebrations, with their flowery speeches, thumping military music and showbusiness flourishes. Ray Charles singing “America the Beautiful” at Ronald Reagan’s 1985 inaugural gala.
At that conference in Florida, supporters even put a golden statue of Trump on display, which they treated like a shrine. What should have been a moment of Trumpian rejection instead became a moment of further Republican radicalisation. Rather than the billionaire being exiled, it was conservative detractors, such as the then congresswoman Liz Cheney, who were purged.
The first presidential election of the 21st century, between George W Bush and Al Gore, became a national embarrassment. The recount in Florida descended into farce. Robert Mugabe’s Zimbabwe even offered to send election observers. The conservative-leaning Supreme Court ultimately handed victory to Bush, demonstrating how the judiciary had become so partisan. Gore won the popular vote but lost the election, revealing the absurdities of the electoral college.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Upside-Down American Flag Reappears as a Right-Wing Protest Symbol After Trump VerdictAfter Donald Trump's historic guilty verdict, a steady flow of images showing upside-down American flags has appeared on social media as his supporters and right-wing commentators protest his felony conviction.
Read more »
Trump trial latest: Trump team questioning getting 'desperate' - as Michael Cohen to testify on MondayOn a dramatic day in New York yesterday, Stormy Daniels clashed with Donald Trump's lawyer, a witness cried in the stand and the former president called the judge a 'disgrace' after a second mistrial bid by his team failed. We're back today with all the latest from the historic trial.
Read more »
Donald Trump trial updates: Michael Cohen ADMITS stealing $60,000 from Trump while dealing with Tiffany...Prosecutor's 'star witness' Michael Cohen is back on the stand for third day, as the court waits with bated breath to find out whether former President Donald Trump could testify himself.
Read more »
Trump trial latest: Defence rests case without calling Trump to give evidenceTrump's defence team has rested its case, with ex-lawyer Robert Costello the final witness. The case is now in the hands of the jury, who could begin deliberating as soon as next week to decide whether Trump is guilty of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records.
Read more »
Donald Trump trial latest: Trump shuts eyes in court as judge gives last message to juryAfter five weeks of sometimes blockbuster testimony, the trial of Donald Trump is nearing its end, with the jury expected to go out and begin deliberations today. Their task: to decide if the former president is guilty of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records.
Read more »
Trump's Truth Social stock drops by 9% - tanking former president's net worth by $530 million after...Anti-Trump supporters are seen celebrating after Donald Trump's guilty verdict is decided.
Read more »