Why Democrats are amplifying corruption talk: A historical strategy for parties out of power

Democrats are amplifying corruption talk this election cycle, mentioning it in constituent emails six times more than in 2022 and four times more than Republicans, per The Conversation. Political scientist Robert Boatright, writing there, says this is a historical strategy for parties out of power: vague corruption talk lets them delegitimize opponents without taking divisive stances or directly naming President Trump. He points out that such talk blurs transactional, moral, and systemic corruption, and has been used since the nation's founding. The Conversation frames it as a return to a classic American pastime.

Listen to this story

Hear this and more stories in a personalized audio briefing.

Open The Chonkerton