Trump's Victim Complex: Media Expert On Why Ex-President's 'Jesus' Martyr Narrative Works With Supporters

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has been casting himself as a martyr, as he confronts multiple legal battles including a civil trial on fraud allegations. This narrative is gaining traction among his fervent supporters.

Marc Fisher, senior editor of The Washington Post, analyzed Trump’s consistent portrayal of himself as a victim amid his legal troubles, including 91 felony charges, four criminal trials, and a potential court-ordered dismantling of his financial empire.

Trump regularly tells his supporters, “They’re not after me; they’re after you,” a statement that currently headlines his campaign website.

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During a recent rally in Michigan, Trump told striking autoworkers, "Now I put everything on the line to fight for you. I've risked it all to defend the working class…"

According to Michael Cohen, Trump's former attorney, Trump’s martyr-like portrayal serves to protect his “fragile ego” and shift blame away from himself.

Despite not being particularly religious, Trump has embraced comparisons to Jesus Christ. When he was arraigned in New York in April, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) claimed he was "joining some of the most incredible people in history” who “have been arrested and persecuted by radical corrupt governments …, including Nelson Mandela and Jesus."

While not all evangelical leaders have been persuaded by Trump’s use of religious imagery, some argue that despite being flawed, Trump is valuable for their cause due to his willingness to break norms and align with conservative Christian policy preferences.

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