The annihilation of shame requires two things. First, nerve: Whatever else might be said about Trump, it takes immense brass to lie as frequently and flagrantly as he does without apparently triggering any kind of internal emotional crisis. Ordinary mortals tend to blush when caught out in some kind of mischief. Trump smirks.
But it also takes public acquiescence.
[ … ]
It was once the useful role of conservatives to resist these sorts of trends — to stand athwart declining moral standards, yelling Stop. They lost whatever right they had to play that role when they got behind Trump, not only acquiescing in the culture of shamelessness but also savoring its fruits.
Bret Stephens, New York Times
I’ve wondered over the years, and more frequently since Trump seized control, whether the Republican Party is even aware of the credibility and heritage they’ve squandered and, if so, if it even matters to them.
They are so lost in delusion, and unable to fool anybody but themselves nowadays, that, No, I don’t think they know. Or care.