rationalize

But mention these character and cognitive flaws to his supporters and they rationalize that life was better when Trump occupied the White House than it has been under President Biden.

Spousal financial abuse is sometimes tricky to identify because it takes many forms and can often be rationalized by both the offending partner and the victim.

They rationalized their support for him by saying they didn't believe Trump would actually carry out all those unseemly threats he makes about deporting millions of people or going after his political enemies.

They “rationalize his rhetoric, by affording him a reverse benefit of the doubt. They doubt; he benefits.”

Condit’s team rationalized the move by talking about the need to be in an international transportation hub offering “cultural diversity” and a reasonable cost of living, but Seattle met all those requirements.