Trump's coalition of terrible men
The MAGA movement is looking like a coalition of problematic men.
Herschel Walker has Donald Trump's endorsement. So do Sean Parnell and Max Miller. Eric Greitens doesn't have Trump's official backing — so far at least — but he's presenting himself to the voting public as a "MAGA warrior," and clearly hopes for the former president's blessing. Each of these candidates for federal office has something in common: They've been accused of mistreating women.
Greitens, running for U.S. Senate in Missouri, resigned from his state's governorship in 2018 after he was accused of conducting a coercive sexual affair. Walker, the former NFL running back, is campaigning for Senate in Georgia despite allegations he threatened his ex-wife's life. Parnell's wife reportedly had two restraining orders against him as their marriage crumbled, but he's still running for Senate in Pennsylvania. And Miller, running for Congress in Ohio, has been accused of abusing his ex-girlfriend, the former White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham. (Miller has filed a defamation lawsuit against Grisham.)
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Has a political movement ever put forward so many candidates with such terrible reputations?
It's true that politics seems to disproportionately attract womanizers and abusers, and that the problem is bipartisan. The White House was occupied by Bill Clinton and Donald Trump. Congress gave us former Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) and Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.), who both went to prison for their offenses. The state of New York has had two governors resign just this century for unbecoming behavior — Eliot Spitzer for visiting prostitutes, and Andrew Cuomo for sexual harassment. Terrible people are generally drawn to power.
The slate of Trumpist candidates seems a bit different. Nobody expects Trump himself to back men of high character, but political parties have usually tried to distance themselves from candidates who are already known to be problematic — the scandals usually come after. That's changed. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) urged Roy Moore to step aside in 2017 after Moore was accused of pursuing relationships with underage girls; this week McConnell officially endorsed Walker. "There are some things written that indicate he's had some challenges in his life," McConnell said of Walker last month. "On the other hand, the good news is, he's made several impressive performances on national television." Character — or least the performance of it — is now only a trifling concern in the GOP.
Even Trump had to grovel a bit in 2016 after the Access Hollywood tape came out. "I pledge to be a better man," he said in an apology video. Among Trumpist politicians these days, though, better men are getting hard to find.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Joel Mathis is a writer with 30 years of newspaper and online journalism experience. His work also regularly appears in National Geographic and The Kansas City Star. His awards include best online commentary at the Online News Association and (twice) at the City and Regional Magazine Association.
-
Today's political cartoons - November 23, 2024
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - qualifications, tax cuts, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Long summer days in Iceland's highlands
The Week Recommends While many parts of this volcanic island are barren, there is a 'desolate beauty' to be found in every corner
By The Week UK Published
-
The Democrats: time for wholesale reform?
Talking Point In the 'wreckage' of the election, the party must decide how to rebuild
By The Week UK Published
-
What might happen if Trump eliminates the Department Of Education?
Today's Big Question The president-elect says the federal education agency is on the chopping block
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
Gaetz bows out, Trump pivots to Pam Bondi
Speed Read Gaetz withdrew from attorney generation consideration, making way for longtime Trump loyalist Pam Bondi
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Brendan Carr, Trump's FCC pick, takes aim at Big Tech
In the Spotlight The next FCC commissioner wants to end content moderation practices on social media sites
By David Faris Published
-
'This needs to be a bigger deal'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
The political latitude of Musk's cost-cutting task force
Talking Points A $2 trillion goal. And big obstacles in the way.
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
New York DA floats 4-year Trump sentencing freeze
Speed Read President-elect Donald Trump's sentencing is on hold, and his lawyers are pushing to dismiss the case while he's in office
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
'It may not be surprising that creative work is used without permission'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
What message is Trump sending with his Cabinet picks?
TODAY'S BIG QUESTION By nominating high-profile loyalists like Matt Gaetz and RFK Jr., is Trump serious about creating a functioning Cabinet, or does he have a different plan in mind?
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published