When Politicians Get Caught Misusing Campaign Funds

When politicians get caught misusing campaign funds, they often try to minimize the impact and make it appear as though it was an honest mistake. The funds are reimbursed, and a small fine is usually paid. However, when it comes to former President Donald Trump and the Stormy Daniels case, he shows no inclination to follow this path.

Trump’s Unwillingness to Admit

Doing that would mean having to admit to a mistake, which is not something that exists in Trump's character. His modus operandi dictates that he doubles down on his claims, asserting that what he did was not only legal but perfectly normal and absolutely the right thing to do. He will claim that he should be respected for what he did and that he is an innocent victim of politically motivated accusations. He then tries to shift the conversation to other issues, such as her emails, a witch hunt, or allegations against others.

The Complexity of the Case

It is not as simple as it seems. False documentation was generated to cover up the payments and other financial maneuvers. The intent was not to make a simple mistake but to intentionally manipulate the funding. Even when Trump has lied about other aspects of his actions, he has never claimed it was an honest mistake with respect to the Stormy Daniels case. This display of denial and defense stems from his narcissistic personality, and his ability to maneuver through complex legal issues.

Self-Proclaimed 'Stable Genius'

Donny Trum, as he is referred to, cannot admit any wrongdoing. His narcissism prevents him from doing so. Additionally, believing he is the stable genius, he is confident that his legal team will find a way to beat the 30 separate counts in the indictment. His stature as the 'new Teflon Don' suggests that he may weather this scandal without fully addressing the accusations.

Comparison with Hillary Clinton

To contextualize, Hillary Clinton had 84 million in donations laundered through various state Democratic National Committee (DNC) offices to skirt federal campaign finance laws. Her campaign paid an 8,000 fine using campaign donations. The key similarity is that both figures engaged in complex financial maneuvers and were caught in similar legal crosshairs.

Intent and Complications

The problem here is that Trump did not pay out of a campaign finance account, and the New York City District Attorney is likely to argue that he should have. Intent is a major issue in campaign finance violations. Rules can be complicated, and many candidates and their staff can easily make mistakes. However, in this case, it was not a mistake but a deliberate action. The financial irregularities were 'discovered' in 2018, well after Trump had opportunities to pay a small fine and admit to his mistake.

Consequences of Trump's Strategy

Trump’s strategy of denial and defense shows his defiance and lack of accountability. He has cheered on the incarceration of Michael Cohen, who was an unindicted co-conspirator, under the assumption that he would not be charged as President and the statute of limitations would run out. However, Special Prosecutor Jack Brannan has the ability to make these charges stick, and the result may be a significant change in the narrative surrounding Trump scandals.

As the legal proceedings unfold, it remains to be seen how much Trump will be held accountable for this and other political and financial transgressions. The underlying issue is whether a figure of such high profile and influence can navigate the political and legal landscape without fully acknowledging and addressing the impact of their actions.