‘Mystified’ PBS Pundit Wonders If U.S. Has ‘Given Up On Democracy’ Amid Trump Win

PBS News commentator Jonathan Capehart offered a bitter take on President-elect Donald Trump’s victory at the ballot box, saying he was “mystified” by the Republican’s support and wondering aloud whether voters have “given up on democracy.” (Watch the videos below.)
As Trump gained momentum on election night, Capehart sounded the alarm.
“There’s a shift right, and then there’s a shift to Trump,” he said. “I’m mystified in some ways simply because we’re talking about a twice-impeached, four-times-indicted, convicted-on-34-felony-counts former president.”
Capehart, an MSNBC host and Washington Post opinion writer, expressed bewilderment that despite Trump’s decency-defying comments on the campaign trail, the former president gained support “compared to 2020.”
“Who are we as a country? And we’re starting to find out,” he said. “From what I’m seeing right now, I’m not sure I like it.”
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A bit later, as Trump was on the cusp of winning the White House, Capehart delved deeper into the national psyche. He noted Trump’s promise of vengeance upon his perceived foes and the broad criminal immunity granted him recently by the Supreme Court.
“I can’t help but wonder if the American people have given up on democracy,” Capehart said.
Jonathan @CapehartJ on PBS at 1:57 AM ET: Trump’s victory means “I can’t help but wonder if the American people have given up on democracy.” pic.twitter.com/6OV0LAsPMQ