A judge ruled that Trump committed fraud for decades. The right’s response shows why he’s running away with the primary.

Early in the 2024 GOP presidential primary, right-wing media established that attacking former President Donald Trump was essentially forbidden, especially when it came to his many alleged crimes. And after a summary judgment this week found that Trump repeatedly committed fraud for decades, the Trump family and conservative media are enforcing that foundational fact of the Republican primary once again.

On Tuesday, The Associated Press reported that Trump “consistently” committed fraud while amassing his real estate properties, according to a summary judgment in a civil suit brought by New York Attorney General Letitia...