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The convenience of American amnesia

As a new president is ushered in, calls to move on underscore a truth: quietly abiding our ugliest elements is the American way.

Trump supporters erect wooden gallows and chanted “Hang Mike Pence” as they marched toward the US Capitol. The noose is a symbol of the lynching of Black Americans. Photo: Shay Horse/NurPhoto via Getty Images Share this story
Trump supporters erect wooden gallows and chanted “Hang Mike Pence” as they marched toward the US Capitol. The noose is a symbol of the lynching of Black Americans. Photo: Shay Horse/NurPhoto via Getty Images Share this story

Donald Trump will go down in history as the most American of presidents.

His relentless racism, unearned wealth, despotic greed, and unmitigated bullying — the kind of guy who could get away with doing or saying whatever he wanted — has made the 45th president an all-consuming presence in American lives. And for many of his admirers, these traits make him an enthralling embodiment of white American ideals. His orange mask, the illiteracy reflected in his speech, the unnerving audacity of his inexperience, and his legion of lies made Americans revere or detest him, with no in-between.

In 2016, Trump won 62,985,106 votes — 45.9 percent of all ballots cast — winning his one term. Four years later, though Trump failed to clinch reelection in his incumbency, 74,223,744 Americans voted for him. Of course, there was a general increase in voting — the 2020 election boasted the highest turnout since 1900 — and Biden received more than 7 million more votes than his opponent. But Trumpism’s base grew markedly: Almost 12 million more people voted for Trump after living through what even his former GOP allies and aides have described as a dumpster fire presidency. Almost 12 million more people purchased a ticket for the second season of the carnival.

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The convenience of American amnesia