Political Scandals No Longer Career-Ending in Modern U.S. Politics
Political scandals, once considered career-ending events for U.S. politicians, have lost much of their impact in today's political landscape. Historically, scandals such as those involving Gary Hart or Chris Lee led to immediate resignations or the end of political careers. However, the current environment, characterized by hyperpolarization and a fragmented media landscape, allows politicians to survive controversies that would have been fatal in the past. This shift is attributed to changing norms, increased partisan loyalty, and a deep distrust of the media. Politicians now often adopt a strategy of digging in, blaming opponents, and leveraging media distrust to weather scandals. The case of President Trump is frequently cited as an example of this new reality, as he has navigated numerous controversies without significant political fallout. 
