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What struck us about the hush money trial in Manhattan that ended last week with Donald Trump's felony conviction was the quaintness of the underlying story. Less than a decade ago, we were a simpler people, it seems. Trump felt it necessary to quash porn star Stormy Daniels' story of a lurid affair with him. He worried that it would cost him the election. Over the last weeks, we learned just how hard he tried. The country was dragged through the former president's tawdry world of tabloid magazines, shady lawyers and shadowy business dealings. And yet, with so many details out, not just in this case but many other criminal and civil ones, Republican leaders embrace him all the more.
Among the more bizarre moments of the trial was when a Trump defense lawyer questioned Daniels about selling merchandise celebrating his indictment, including a "Stormy Saint of Indictments" candle. Unfazed, Daniels responded, "Not unlike Mr. Trump." The exchange presaged what happened moments after the jury read out the guilty verdicts. Both the Trump and Biden campaigns began to fundraise off the news. Maybe you've been at the receiving end of texts and emails asking you to donate?
Even if the July 11 sentencing results in Trump being imprisoned, he'll still be eligible to become president again and it'll be voters who decide. It's also possible that an appeals court could find fault with the way the trial was conducted, but what's undeniable now is the debasement of our culture in a few short years.
We heard from a range of readers, including Trump supporters, after the verdict. As always, we want to hear from you, about this and the many other big stories that have broken in recent days. Send us a note to viewpoints@houstonchronicle.com.
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