CHRIS CRUCIAL: Tell me how it's not a cult of personality again?

PLUS: Another (VP) debate!

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1. The Sycophants

On Thursday, the U.S. House was in session. Which means, generally speaking, that Members of Congress are expected to be there, you know, doing their jobs.

Except that more than a dozen Republican House members — led by the one and only Matt Gaetz of Florida — were instead in Manhattan to show support for Donald Trump amid his ongoing trial.

“We are here of our own volition, because there are things we can say that President Trump is unjustly not allowed to say,” Gaetz noted — making clear that he is being used by Trump to end-run the gag order placed on the former president by Judge Juan Merchan.

To be clear: What these House members are “standing up” for (or whatever) is this: Donald Trump orchestrated a $130,000 payoff to porn actress Stormy Daniels as a way to keep her quiet about allegations that the two had an extramarital affair.

What a place to choose to plant your flag!

I think it’s important to note here how colossally weird and absurd this all is. Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, is on trial. In the before times, that would mean that politicians of his party would be running from him — not wanting to get even the whiff of scandal on them.

Instead, they are running TO him. Flocking even. (The New York Times reports that there were upwards of 20 Republican elected officials and prominent party people at the courthouse today to defend Trump.)

And doing so proudly! Here’s Gaetz from his Twitter X feed:

Yes, Gaetz really is purposely mimicking what Trump told the Proud Boys, a white nationalist group, when asked whether he disavowed the group in a 2020 debate with Joe Biden.

THAT is where we are, people.

Just in case you forgot, Gaetz and his merry band are far from the first people this week to stand by Trump’s side. Florida Sen. Rick Scott got it started last Friday. Then Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, a VP hopeful. And Vivek Ramaswamy (who fashions himself a VP hopeful). And Doug Burgum. And Florida Rep. Byron Donalds. And Speaker of the House Mike Johnson!

Like you are telling me that Johnson had NOTHING better to do this week than spend a day in and around a courtroom while Trump’s trial was going on? Inconceivable!

Explain to me — and talk slowly — how this isn’t a cult of personality again?