Despite facing an appeal over a legal case accusing him of sexual misconduct, former president Donald Trump still found the time to step in front of cameras last Friday. There, amidst the mesmerizing architectural prowess of his own Manhattan office tower, Trump revived a litany of old allegations against himself. One might argue that this is simply another questionable maneuver from a man who has shaped his political identity around countering opponents and accusers. However, his remarks concerning the case involving columnist E. Jean Carroll might only fan the flames of legal trouble from Carroll’s side.
While Trump was holding his tirade, vice president Kamala Harris was quietly preparing for a debate with her advisers in Pittsburgh. The differing approach between the two–Trump’s incessant public engagement versus Harris’s measured approach–is telling. Notably, Harris has given only a single interview and no press conferences since assuming Biden’s position on the Democratic ticket. Trum, on the other hand, seems obsessed with her lackluster outlook in public engagement.
Despite the event being billed as a press conference, Trump baffled observers by not taking any questions. Instead, he dedicated a full hour to discussing his own legal dilemmas, while making little mention of anything related to the campaign. As he pondered, ‘I’m running for president, and I have all these cases all of a sudden come. They’re fake cases.’ His fondness for these theatrical legal tussles is not without precedent – his campaign profited greatly off more previous indictments and court appearances.
Despite his gusto, it’s unclear how his legal-focused antics will help him win over undecided voters, especially those in key swing states. Trump’s enthusiastic dive back into old allegations brings us back to 2016, when he dismissed recorded comments of his own derogatory remarks towards women as mere ‘locker room talk’. These provocative comments indirectly sparked a chain of further misconduct allegations.
Standing within his namesake Manhattan skyscraper, Trump permitted several throwbacks to a different era. He insinuated that his fame made him a target for false accusations. He made multiple references to his own celebrity status in the 70s, along with his adventures in the real estate and construction industries of the 80s. Interestingly, these events transpired before a significant number of present voters were even born.
He nostalgically referred to the New York Post’s ‘Page Six’ gossip column as the internet before the internet. He also brazenly compared his case with Carroll to the infamous Monica Lewinsky scandal, using it as a benchmark for his own legal quandaries. A reference to Lewinsky’s infamous dress, a key piece of evidence in Clinton’s impeachment proceedings, seemingly underscores his unusual comparisons.
Trump didn’t pull any punches when commenting on the physical appearances of his accusers. This further pushing the bounds of public decorum. He expressed in no uncertain terms that he would not have assaulted one woman due to what he perceived as her looks. And on the topic of Carroll, he said, ‘I never touched her. I would have had no interest in meeting her in any way, shape or form.’
Meanwhile, on the other end of the political spectrum, Kamala Harris offered critiques based on her experience as a former California attorney general. While she continued her preparation for the impending debate, her campaign was constructed largely on prosecuting the case against Trump. His recent antics could serve to bolster her narrative.
There are those among Trump’s supporters who have advised him to focus less on personal attacks, instead highlighting policy differences. However, their counsel apparently fell on deaf ears. As Trump prattled on, his top political advisers appeared on a call with Republican congressional members, insinuating that the media was going easy on Harris and expressing confidence about the upcoming presidential race.
Despite his campaign rants, Trump still finds himself embroiled in an uphill battle on the legal front. The jury has awarded Carroll significant sums over Trump’s claims that she invented a tale of his assault to boost her memoir’s sales. Nevertheless, Trump remains undeterred, insisting that Carroll’s story was a ‘made up, fabricated story.’
Meanwhile, Carroll’s defense attorney, Roberta Kaplan, warned that she would sue Trump again if he continued stoking the fires of controversy. Against this backdrop, Trump’s criminal and civil predicaments truly stand out. There are numerous felony counts tied to alleged hush money payments to an adult film actor, making him a unique major party nominee.
On top of this, sentencing for his convictions has been delayed till after Election Day on November 5. The former president is also grappling with hefty civil fines for years of alleged lies about his wealth. An assortment of other pending cases also awaits him, including allegations of mishandling classified documents, improper actions post-2020 election, and his questionable role during the infamous Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol incident.
Despite his tangled web of legal woes, Trump continues to vehemently deny all accusations. His stubborn refusal even in the face of considerable evidence lends credence to Kamala Harris’s expression, ‘I know Donald Trump’s type.’
While Trump struggles, Vice President Harris steers clear of public engagements, preferring to quietly strategize with her advisors. Is this a tactic of ‘less is more’, or simply a passive stance? Only time will tell.
Trump’s focus on his personal legal troubles rather than policy continues to baffle many observers. It’s hard to understand how this strategy will garner support from those undecided voters essential for securing success in the forthcoming election.
Overall, the stark contrast between Trump’s public relations spectacle and Harris’s studied silence paints a vivid picture of the divergent campaign strategies of the two opponents. One must wonder which approach the voters will find more appealing in November.