If you admit a crime openly and proudly, it isn't wrong.
It isn't even a crime.
Trump could easily be found "not guilty."
Celebrity and shamelessness are a powerful combination. Trump isn't an abstract impersonal "defendant." He is Trump. And he doesn't appear ashamed of who he is and what he did. He has a presumption of innocence in the minds of a great many people, and they aren't changing their minds.
Democrats who are appalled by Trump find it hard to believe that anyone could believe his Big Lie or any of the other dishonest narratives that he spins out. Democrats see so clearly that Trump is obviously guilty of crimes that they think that surely most Americans will share their disapproval. He openly admits to transgressions. He brags about them. How hard could it possibly be to convict him?
Criminal behavior does not necessarily bring disapproval. Guilt and shame are different.
Trump has a technique. It works. The key is shamelessness. Look proud and defiant. If one states openly what one does, then it must not be wrong. Trump openly fired the FBI director because he wouldn't promise not to investigate ties between Russia and Trump's campaign. Firing him was obstruction of justice. Trump said, yeah, so what?
Trump openly said he would happily meet with representatives of foreign governments to get dirt on political opponents. That is illegal. Trump said sure he would do it, anyone would. And then he did so by trying to make delivery of American military aid to Ukraine contingent on Zelenskyy’s announcing an investigation of Biden. That wasn't criminal, Trump said. It was perfect.
He openly lobbied to get international conferences held at his properties. Why not? He openly says he wants political prosecutions of political opponents. Of course. The call to Georgia's Brad Raffensperger was "perfect." January 6 rioters were patriots. Dictator? Sure, he said with a smile.
Do not be confident of guilty verdicts in upcoming Trump trials. O.J. Simpson denied guilt. His shamelessness came from sticking to his denial in the face of physical evidence, motive, and opportunity. Simpson was a handsome sports star who transitioned into playing friendly characters in movies. We thought we knew him: A good guy. He was a easy racial crossover figure, Black in skin color but culturally non-racial, doing commercials for General Motors, Hertz, and The Boys Club nonprofit organization. In his trial he stuck to a wildly improbable story. The jury ended up questioning the prosecution's motives and procedure. Maybe the cops planted evidence. Maybe something. They just did not want to believe O.J. Simpson did it.
Our justice system looks at guilt. Did the defendant break a rule? Trump is changing the moral venue to one of shame. If you feel shame, then you were wrong. If you don't, then you are right to do it.
His lawyer, Christina Bobb made the point on Real America's Voice, an internet video channel. Forget guilt.
The president is elected by the entire nation, and it should be the entire nation who determines who they want for president, whether they are guilty of insurrection or not. It's up to the people.
This statement comes amid the assertion by Trump's lawyers that he is immune from prosecution for any crimes he committed as president, even one of breaking laws to stay in office.
Trump is unashamed. A great many people pick up on that cue. Trump did nothing to be ashamed of, therefore nothing wrong. According to a Washington Post poll only 18% of Republicans say they think Trump is probably or definitely guilty; 75% of Trump voters think he is probably innocent.
Trump hasn't sold everybody, and certainly not Democrats. But he may have sold enough people to hang-up a jury and then claim he was 100%-vindicated. He may have sold enough people to win a presidential election against Joe Biden.
Have always found the Spanish phrase, 'sin verguenza' (without shame) so much more evocative than any English analogue; depicts a thorough and thoroughly fascinating scoundrel.