Many American's have a love affair with crime and corruption.

[Samrob]

They just don't like it when POC commit crime.

Think who the heroes are or were: Al Capone, Billy the Kid, Jesse James, all things mafia, the Bundys, Jim and Tammy, Trump, Nixon,
the Watergate plumbers. Americans especially love crimes against their own government for good or evil, right or left. Now their love affair with tyrants is showing through.

[Elessar Zappa]

1. I get your point

but just because many Americans are fascinated by criminals doesn’t mean they approve of their actions. It’s just that their stories are interesting.

[Wuddles440]

3. Disagree to an extent.

Although representing an overall a minority of the population, I think a significant number of our fellow citizens actually admire and embrace those engaging in criminal and antisocial behavior. Being a rebel, bad boy, or bully is very compelling and attractive to them as a means to gain fame, power, and possibly wealth. And if they're unable to directly engage in such activity, they'll enthusiastically support others that have the capability to do so.

[TheRealNorth]

2. Yup

There is an element of Romanticizing white gangsters as opposed to African American gangsters in white America.

[Cartoonist]

4. The Godfather

I despise movies like this, but it is regarded as a classic.

[MainSt99]

5. OP Makes A Good Point

Radio, TV and the the movies have been painting an over-romantic picture of miscreants and outlaws for years. From "Jesse James" 1921 through "The Oklahoma Kid" 1939, to "Bonnie and Clyde" 1967 to, more recently, "The Sting" ..... "Lansky" .... "Parabellum" .... "King of Thieves" and many, many more.

There is a connection between all this indoctrination and hero worship of the likes of Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis.