Mueller’s Investigation Won’t Shake Trump’s Base<br />The desire to think the best of Mr. Trump combined with the deep distaste for Democrats grants extraordinary power to two phrases: “fake news”<br />and “the other side is worse.” “Fake news” erects a shield of disbelief against the worst allegations and allows a person to believe that Mr. Trump is better than he is.<br />Mr. Manafort’s conduct had nothing to do with the campaign, they argue, even though the investigation continues<br />and even though Mr. Trump showed terrible judgment in bringing him on the team.<br />For too many Republicans, every single troubling element of the Russia investigation — including multiple<br />administration falsehoods about contacts with Russian officials — represents “fake news.”<br />This week’s news can be waved away.<br />This phenomenon explains why reluctant Republicans would pull the lever for Mr. Trump even if he was their “last choice.” They were voting in perceived self-defense,<br />and he fights hard against the people they dislike the most.<br />It’s an unfortunate truth that the Republican base not only accepts but also often angrily defends conduct from Mr. Trump<br />that they would never, ever accept in a Democratic president.
