The Rise of Political Grifters Across the West

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The Rise of Political Grifters Across the West

July 5, 2026 at 11:50 am EDT By Taegan Goddard 46 Comments

https://politicalwire.com/2026/07/05/the-rise-of-political-grifters-across-the-west/

The Guardian: “Politicians have always enriched themselves but the chutzpah with which Trump is doing so raises the possibility that an ethical code is breaking down. And not just in the US. Across the West, from Clacton to Queensland, a new type of leader is emerging: the political grifter.”

“Making public office a ticket to the high life while living standards fall might seem a hard sell to the electorate. Yet many voters seem prepared to put up with grifting, even happy to reward it.”