The enduring support of Donald Trump, and why it's so dangerous.

Listen to this story being read by Gemma Bath, here.

Right now, former President of the United States of America, Donald Trump is refusing to be questioned as part of a civil investigation into his family's business practices. 

New York State Attorney-General Letitia James says her investigation uncovered significant evidence that the Trump Organisation, which manages hotels, golf courses and other real estate, overstated asset values to obtain favourable loans and understated the values to get tax breaks. 

Trump says he won't testify in the case, citing the US Constitution's Fifth Amendment rights.

He claims he is the victim of a 'witch hunt,' and says the investigation is politically motivated.

Even as president, Trump was spreading misinformation. Post continues.

He's also, right now, being investigated by the FBI. 

A federal investigation is looking into whether Trump illegally removed records from the White House as he was leaving office in January 2021. 

Again, he claims the probe is a politically motivated move by President Joe Biden's administration. 

That's despite The US National Archives and Records Administration recovering about 15 boxes of White House documents from Trump’s Florida home, some of which contained classified materials. Not only is that not allowed, it's potentially risking national security. 

Right now, a congressional panel investigating the January 6 attack by Trump supporters on the White House is working to build a case that he broke the law in trying to overturn his 2020 defeat.

Trump says the investigation is a 'sham.' 

But investigators say they have evidence to seek multiple criminal charges against the 76-year-old. 

U.S. Capitol Hill riots. Image: Getty / Mamamia. 

And that's only scraping the surface. 

Trump has been accused by at least 26 women of sexual harassment and assault. 

He's been accused of alleged fraudulent conversations with the top election official in Georgia who he reportedly told to "re-examine" the results and "find 11,780 votes."

The Manhattan District Attorney and his team are also investigating Trump for tax related crimes, in a separate investigation to the one in New York.

His niece is suing him for allegedly cheating her out of inheritance. 

His former lawyer is suing him, accusing him of sending him to prison in retaliation for writing a tell-all memoir. 

The list goes on... and yet his fans remain as devoted as ever. 

“Civil War! Pick up arms, people,” wrote one on Twitter. 

“Getting ready for an uprising,” said another. 

Somehow, as Trump is investigated again and again and again for alleged criminal wrongdoing, his supporters continue to buy the line that it's all just a politically motivated 'witch hunt' by the 'radical left' to stop him from running for president again in 2024. 

It's mind-boggling. Because these investigations are not minor crimes, the January 6 attack, for example, led to the deaths of five people. 

But Trump has a way with words.

When the FBI raided Mar-a-Lago on Monday he announced in a statement that his resort was “currently under siege, raided, and occupied”.

Image: Getty. 

But this is a Federal Bureau of Investigation probe. Not just a 'media story.'

What makes Trump's continued support terrifying, is the complete lack of critical thinking and logic used by his fans. 

They don't seem to be able to see beyond his cries of 'fake news'.

Instead, they just follow blindly, lapping up his nonsense.

Some fear the raid on his Florida estate will actually rally support, not dissipate it. As it allows him to further play the 'martyr' and portray himself as a victim of the 'corrupt government'.

Like with most conspiracy theories, it's hard to argue with trains of thought that aren't based in fact. 

This is of course an extreme, but as an example, many QAnon supporters believe an army of 'lizard people' in human 'suits' are taking over the planet. 

Now try explaining why that's... ridiculous. They'll just continue to make up farcical sci-fi reasons as to why you're wrong. 

Tell Trump supporters the government isn't on a 'witch hunt', they're just investigating real allegations of misconduct; they'll tell you it's a lie. You believe 'fake news.' You're one of the 'radical left.' They won't be able to tell you why it's a lie, it just is.

Donald Trump has managed to surround himself with an audience that will never see him in a bad light, no matter what allegation is thrown at him. Because in their eyes, it's all just a witch hunt. 

That's why this is all so dangerous. 

We've seen what happens when misinformation and dangerous rhetoric gains momentum. 

Look at the Capitol Hill riots. Look at the Sandy Hook conspiracy theory that the shooting was a "hoax". That hurtful opinion spiralled so far out of control over the past decade, victims' families ended up in court, suing for the harassment and abuse they've received while trying to mourn their children. 

Read: 20 children died in the Sandy Hook shooting. For a decade, their parents have been told it was a hoax.

Trump's power can't be dismissed. Especially when there's another election looming - one he keeps hinting he will be throwing his hat in the ring for. 

This is a man who, when elected the first time, had already been accused of multiple incidents of sexual assault. 

He'd already told us he liked to grab women "by the pussy."

In 2016, USA Today published an analysis of litigation involving Donald Trump and found over the previous three decades Trump and his businesses had been involved in 3,500 legal cases in state and federal courts. Trump was named in at least 169 suits.

He was elected then, with all of that on his back. 

Even though his alleged rap sheet is now much longer, we can't be lulled into a false sense of security.

We keep being shown how fiercely loyal his fans are willing to be.

You can keep up to date with Gemma Bath's articles here, or follow her on Instagram, @gembath.  

Feature image: Getty/James Devaney/GC Images/Mamamia.

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