COMMENT | The term “gracious” is seldom found in a politician’s lexicon, particularly when it is the prefix for the word "defeat”.

Donald Trump is a classic example. Losing the presidential election left him incandescent, turning his amber complexion to a shade of crimson.

Repudiating the results, he projected himself a victim and rallied his supporters, most of whom were conservative white Americans with strong religious convictions, more than eager to...