It's not that MAGA doesn't believe E. Jean Carroll -- they just don't care that Trump abuses women

[marmar]

It's not that MAGA doesn't believe E. Jean Carroll — they just don't care that Trump abuses women
Trump verdict and new Vince McMahon allegations are a dark reminder that red state America cultivates rape culture

By AMANDA MARCOTTE
Senior Writer
PUBLISHED JANUARY 30, 2024 6:00AM (EST)


(Salon) Not that she'll ever bring herself to use words like "rapist" or "sexual predator," but former Gov. Nikki Haley, R-S.C., is ready to admit out loud that Donald Trump sexually assaulted journalist E. Jean Carroll. While on NBC's "Meet the Press" on Sunday, Haley was asked about Friday's civil court decision to award Carroll $83.3 million because Trump keeps lying about the woman he attacked in a department store dressing room in the 90s.

....(snip)....

That may be true, but there may be something else going on. Haley isn't too worried about offending Republican voters, because most of them also know full well that Trump is guilty. This isn't — and likely has never been — a situation where Trump voters are legitimately confused about whether Carroll was telling the truth. They've all heard the "grab 'em by the pussy" tape. They know Trump is downright proud to be a sexual predator. It's just that most of them don't care. For some, Trump's propensity for violence against women is likely a plus.

Part of what is going on is the MAGA base has embraced Trump's view that he should have "immunity" to commit crimes because he's a "star" and they should have to "let you do it." But the willingness to shrug off Trump's sexual abusiveness is also just the same rape culture and victim-blaming that feminists have been speaking out against forever. American conservatism has always been misogynist, but it's grown even more repugnant under Trump's leadership. The abuse that Trump has been heaping on Carroll is celebrated by MAGA as putting her in her place.

....(snip)....

There's a myth in the mainstream media that "everyone" thinks sexual assault is bad, but clearly, that is not the case. As Atlantic writer Adam Serwer famously said of the MAGA movmement, "The cruelty is the point." This sadism manifests in many ways, from wanting to see migrants drown to death in the Rio Grande to open longing to shoot Black Lives Matter protesters. This malice extends to women. That's why rape victims get blamed with questions like "what were you wearing" and "why were you out of the house?" Carroll is a career woman who felt free to date whomever she wanted. And Trump was right to think his audience would applaud him for suggesting that sexual assault is what such women are asking for. ..............(more)

https://www.salon.com/2024/01/30/its-not-that-maga-doesnt-believe-e-jean-carroll--they-just-dont-care-that-abuses-women/

[SouthernDem4ever]

1. Amazing how much of the voting public is sociopathic.

That can only explain their support for Dump and his minions.

[CaptainTruth]

2. Sadly, they want to be like him.

[WiscTex]

3. Evangelical tradition

The points made are true but it goes much deeper. Most conservative Trump voters also come from a strong, evangelical Christian tradition, whether they are active in a church or not. The evangelical tradition teaches that men are superior to women and women are to be submissive to men. That view plays into their belief of traditional, heterosexist gender roles that men control the family and, thus, women. To them, if women are supposed to be submissive to men, then Trump is only behaving as God has ordained.

This can also partly explain why data suggests black and latino/hispanic men are moving toward Republicans. Generally speaking, black male culture epitomizes strong, controlling, hyper-masculine ideology that overlaps with this evangelical tradition and traditional gender norms. For many latinos, they come from similar ideals promoted within the catholic tradition.

[jaxexpat]

4. Oh, so sadly true. Let's be clear. America's roots are slavery based. Indentured servitude, betrothal agreements,...

black slavery/ownership. It's no surprise that the very "conservatives" who would turn back the clock on civil rights gains of the 1960's would gladly turn it all the way back to 1660 if that were on the table. Women voting, nope. Women holding deeds or writing checks, not happening. Women driving, drinking, dressing and dreaming with the same freedoms of motion as men, not if the last word on the issue is their's.

That is why the concept that women are responsible for their rapist's crime finds a home in the mind of "conservatives". After all, it's obvious, ain't it? If those women were at home engaged in the proper activities of a proper wife and mother, they wouldn't have been in the venue of their assault in the first place. It's also a fact that if a woman isn't a wife and mother, she's fair game for any type of advance from any man. Because she's asking for it, isn't she? Just like a black man walking down a street after a certain hour is "legitimately" liable for extreme stop-and-questioning by some "curious" LEO. Because they're up to something, aren't they? When is a wealthy man ever liable for doing to a woman what she obviously wants, anyway?

Such "logic" is the heart and soul of conservatism. As a rule, one can search and identify the lowest common denominator* for about anything requiring an exercise in thought, and they'll find themselves at the apex of Republican thinking.

* : or is that "commonest low" denominator?

[Evolve Dammit]

5. Agree with all previous posters. Buckle up.

[niyad]

6. Thoroughly dusgusted KNR. Would you consider cross-posting this in Women's

Rights and Issues? Thanks in advance.

[SleeplessinSoCal]

7. I think what matters most to them...

... he pokes us in the eye. They love that more than facts, morals, the future, their health or their children's.

[Demobrat]

8. They love that he is an unrepentant rapist and

want to be just like him. He gets away with things they can only dream of. Unfortunately, the getting away with it part is paramount, and that little bubble just got burst. He’s not invincible. He got taken down by an 80 year old woman who sees him as a snorting walrus. Not a good look for him.