The 2024 Republican presidential primaries may be in their infancy, but one theme has already emerged: That, if Ron DeSantis — or, indeed, if anyone whom Donald Trump has ever endorsed, praised, or helped — elects to enter the race, he will be exhibiting an unforgiveable “disloyalty.”
Rehearsing this line in a recent interview, Laura Loomer told NBC’s Marc Caputo that “Governor DeSantis owes his entire political career to Trump and he’s going to look like an ingrate if he runs against him.” Among those who will countenance no other candidate besides Donald Trump, Loomer’s approach has become de rigueur. For such people, the truth of the claim that Trump is the best option on offer is simply assumed — which, in turn, makes any other figure who might plausibly enter the fray inherently devious. Such as it is, the logic runs a little like this: Because Donald Trump personifies MAGA and MAGA is the ideal political approach for the United States, those who don’t want Trump are rejecting the ideal political approach for the United States. Sure, Governors DeSantis and Abbott and Youngkin might make solid nominees “one day.” But not now — not while Trump aspires to a second term. The mere thought is perfidious, treacherous, unfaithful — even seditious.
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