Why Scandals Don’t Bring Down Politicians Anymore

Political scandals have become less likely to end careers due to several structural shifts in media and voter behavior. Partisan media outlets now allow politicians to maintain support within their base regardless of allegations. Voters increasingly prioritize party loyalty and policy alignment over individual conduct, according to political behavior research. The fragmentation of news sources means politicians can avoid coverage critical of them by consuming only aligned media. Simultaneously, the volume of news cycles has accelerated, causing individual scandals to receive shorter attention spans before being displaced by subsequent events.

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