The narrative spun by Stephanie Ruhle, MSNBC’s 11th Hour Host, on former President Donald Trump’s steadfast GOP support after convictions isn’t just a little off. It’s wildly off base, founded more on conjecture than reality.
Ruhle leveraged her airtime on Thursday night’s panel to share a new theory – that Trump’s GOP allegiance is a grim omen of “ultimate power” returning to Republican palms. Over the course of her broadcast, however, it became undeniably clear that this was more of her personal fear than any concrete fact.
Rehashing interactions with GOP donors in the aftermath of the verdict, Ruhle shared that many had gravitated towards Trump as their primary choice, even if they initially rallied behind figures like Nikki Haley or Ron DeSantis. In a rather candid observation, she highlighted how none of these individuals claimed Trump was innocent, focusing instead on criticising Alvin Bragg. Interesting indeed! But it was her ensuing elaboration that really unravelled her underlying prejudices.
Ruhle attempted to paint a picture of bloodthirsty power-seekers, characterising GOP donors’ unwavering support for Trump as a tactical manoeuvre to secure control. She offered an ill-founded argument that these individuals saw in Trump a ‘weak and humiliated’ prospect who would owe them should he ascend into power again. This, she insisted, symbolised a worrying thirst for ultimate power among the GOP’s ranks.
Interestingly, Ruhle’s brand of conjecture conveniently overlooks the fact that supporting politicians to influence policy isn’t just GOP’s game. It’s politics as usual. Though she might like us to believe otherwise, the GOP donor’s goals most likely involve the reversal of Biden Administration’s policies, not some ominous power coup. Here’s an idea, Ruhle: Why not interrogate that?
Throughout her theory showcasing, Ruhle cut a perturbed figure, anxious over the potential of another Trump presidency, which she insists is a threat to democracy. Yet what she’s really overlooking is democracy in action – individuals supporting a candidate of their choosing, a freedom enshrined in our country’s constitution.
So the next time you hear chatter about an impending GOP power grab, just remember this – the power to choose our leaders is, and always will be, reposed in the hands of American citizens. That’s democracy. And no amount of conjecture or overzealous broadcasting on MSNBC can unseat that reality.
Every American, including Ruhle, should respect this fundamental right. Otherwise, we are the ones undermining democracy while falsely accusing others of desiring ultimate power.
