The trial of former President Donald Trump saddens me. It is unlike any other in our nation’s history. Outcomes will be the subject of books, classroom studies and debate. A person being above the law will be argued.

While I am saddened, I’m not sympathetic to Trump. I have been an outspoken Trump critic and make no apologies. In my mind, he remains the ethically challenged, racist, man-child liar who disgraced the office of the presidency and will do so again if reelected.

It is learning how a tabloid head schemed to write and publish stories praising Trump along with untrue, salacious tales about his political opponents that is saddening. Along the way, we hear about “checkbook journalism” and “catch and kill,” phrases which undermine the hard work of honest journalists and mainstream media.

This trial isn’t about serial adulterer Trump and a porn star, nor his history of sexual assaults or conquests. It is about a scheme to cover up actions which would be embarrassing to say the least, and, more importantly, attempts to help steal an election.

It is ironic the man who continues to tell the Big Lie that the 2020 election was stolen was a willing partner in a successful effort in 2016. We can’t know how many voters might have voted differently had they known what was happening behind the campaign curtain.

This People of New York vs. Donald Trump is a disgusting peek behind the 2016 campaign scenes, giving us an unflattering look at then-candidate Trump. We should all be saddened by what it reveals.

Glenn Plummer

Unity

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