He was impeached twice, found liable in fraud and sexual abuse lawsuits, charged with dozens of felonies and declared politically dead again and again — but count Donald Trump out at your peril.

Eight months ahead of the US presidential election, and days before he is due to stand trial for alleged 2016 campaign finance violations, the Republican tycoon looks as strong politically as he ever has.

After winning his party’s primary contest without really breaking a sweat, the scandal-prone 77-year-old is on course to contest a third straight election, and his second showdown with Democratic President Joe Biden.

Confident of avenging his defeat in 2020, Trump boasts polling leads in almost all of the swing states against Biden, who is only four years older but has struggled to allay concerns over his age.

Trump’s detractors have watched with a mix of frustration, disbelief and awe over the years as the man whose downfall has been prognosticated ad nauseam has turned every scandal into campaign speech punchlines and fundraising dollars.