George Polycranos

Port Matilda

It’s hard to believe that the likely Republican nominee for president is the first former president in U.S. history to stand trial as a criminal defendant. He’s charged with illegally falsifying business records to hide a hush money payment to a porn star.

What’s even more baffling is the way so many Republicans actually profess to believe Trump’s whining about being persecuted.

This comes from someone already found liable for sexual assault and defaming his victim. At least 25 other women have accused him of sexual assault or harassment. He was even caught on tape bragging about being able to get away with grabbing women “by the p_ _ _y.”

Trump’s three other criminal indictments reveal more of the same. To hear him tell it, “It’s politically motivated,” a “corrupt DOJ,” “a scam.” This is from the guy who has already been found guilty of corporate fraud and whose fake university and charity have been fined and shut down.

I suppose it was also “perfect” when he tried to extort the Ukrainian President — and asked the Georgia Secretary of State to “just find 11,780 votes.”

Trump’s motivation is purely self-interest. He has exploited every possible defendant’s right and misused campaign contributions for legal fees. He routinely attacks and endangers law enforcement, prosecutors, judges, mainstream media, military leadership and even his own vice president.

Our justice system, our free press and even our democracy continue to suffer damage from Trump’s self-serving lies.

The American people are the real victims here.