Trump's conviction taints American politics, but he is not the only one to blame

Alex Seojoon Kim
| Guest columnist

In a world as turbulent as today’s politics, it’s only natural to hear endless arguments between partisan candidates. In the 2024 presidential election cycle, both sides are preparing to make their voices heard loudest by any means necessary. Yet the recent conviction of former president and leading Republican candidate Donald Trump is just the latest scandal to send shock waves through the national political landscape.

The fact that Trump paid hush money to quickly quell the affair allegations was swept under the rug four years ago but has now been acknowledged by numerous sources, including those with ties to Trump. In the lead-up to the 2016 presidential election, when Trump was making national news by securing the Republican nomination, he and his lawyer, Michael Cohen, were doing everything they could to protect Trump’s image by as a good businessman. As this drama unfolds, Trump’s criminal trial and conviction in New York only confirms the growing evidence that the broader future of American politics has been gravely tainted by Trump’s actions.

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The secret payments put two people in particular in the spotlight: Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal. High bribes (up to $100,000) were paid to prevent these women from disclosing damaging information that could have derailed Trump’s chances of winning the 2016 presidency. Daniels had previously spoken out about herself -saying Trump’s relationship with her, but nothing significant in terms of charges had been filed. Yet when local prosecutors in Manhattan gathered enough information about the massive web of lies, Trump was formally charged. Although paying someone to remain silent is not necessarily a crime, falsifying business records to conceal secret payments is illegal. This cover-up via a mix of cover-ups has Trump supporters worried because it could hurt his chances in the 2024 election.

Cohen, Trump’s lawyer, bought Daniels’ silence for $130,000. When Trump ultimately won the presidency over Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, Trump’s company was able to reimburse Cohen through incremental payments for “corporate legal fees.” Cohen, who was convicted and sentenced to prison for his scheming, has since been released. He was one of the key witnesses in Trump’s trial.

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But it would be unfair to place blame solely on Trump for the tarnished image of American politics. Simply put, it remains a small example in a larger national problem that subtly permeates politics. The polarizing hyper-partisanship we see today has deep roots in American society and history, creating an environment filled with toxicity and subjective narratives rather than truthful speech. Unwavering in our commitment to the foundations of democracy, we must remember to place our faith in our core values and strive to ensure a fair and honest political process for all members of the nation, regardless of their political leanings.

From former President Richard Nixon’s Watergate scandal to the present, Americans have received stark warning signs in the political realm. This time we must demand more transparency and integrity from our leaders. Without holding politicians accountable, we cannot prosper together as a nation. What is wrong is unquestionably wrong. The future health of our democracy depends on steps taken to restore the unity and integrity of the American political system.

Alex Seojoon Kim is a high school student in Stillwater.