The Party of Trump

Speaking to a crowd the other day, Donald Trump said that MAGA was “96 percent and maybe 100 percent” of the Republican Party. I imagine that’s not far off. He further said, “We’re getting rid of the Romneys of the world.” That is for sure. “We want to get Romneys and those out.”

Listen to Trump here:

That tweet was put out by a group called “Republicans against Trump.” I take exception to the group’s characterization of the candidate’s remarks: “Trump urges moderate Republicans to leave the party.” Mitt Romney is for limited government, the rule of law, personal responsibility, free enterprise, U.S. leadership in the world, virtue, and so on. Romney wishes to uphold the principles and ideals of the American founding. This was conservatism the day before yesterday. Trump is more akin to Viktor Orbán, with whom he’ll be huddling in Florida this week.

Anyway, Trump is correct: “We’re getting rid of the Romneys of the world.” He’s getting rid of a lot of people. Ken Buck (R., Colo.) is one of the congressmen who are retiring — and he appears in a candid mood:

While Mitt Romney, Ken Buck, Mike Gallagher, Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Patrick McHenry, and others are leaving, Kari Lake et al. are rising. The GOP establishment is solidly behind Lake — as evidenced by a statement from Senator Steve Daines, here. (Daines is the chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee.)

Barry Goldwater once embodied Arizona Republicanism. Now Kari Lake does.

Above, I used the word “establishment” — “GOP establishment.” Of course, MAGA is the establishment. Trump’s daughter-in-law, Lara, is poised to become the co-chairman of the Republican National Committee.

In a TV appearance, she said the following: “I can assure you, there will be no funny business. Anyone who is not on board with seeing Donald Trump as the 47th president and America-loving patriots all the way down the ticket being supported by the RNC is welcome to leave, because we are not playing games.”

She added, “There’s no one more loyal to Donald Trump and the Make America Great Again movement than this person you’re looking at right here — than me.”

Lara Trump was speaking to the network that calls itself “Real America’s Voice.” It appears to be an adjunct of the GOP. Senator Mike Braun (R., Ind.) was speaking to Fox. His host was asking about Mitch McConnell and his loyalty to “America First policies.” She said to Braun, “Your colleagues are criticizing Mitch McConnell for always working with the Democrats.”

What does McConnell think this is, a democracy? What does he think he is, a legislator? Fox’ll show him.

Here is Braun, doing what they do:

The GOP presidential primaries are now over. For six weeks, there were two candidates — a “binary choice,” to borrow a phrase. Trump and Nikki Haley. Trump and the woman he calls “Nimbra” or “Birdbrain.” Where does “Nimbra” come from? Who knows? Trump made it up, in an attempt to exoticize and ridicule his opponent.

I grant you: Mitt Romney, RINO that he is, would not call Haley “Nimbra” or “Birdbrain.”

In Arizona, Kari Lake had a message this morning:

I understand that it is impossible for Republicans in good standing to refer to Nikki Haley as “Nikki Haley.” But for the record, her first name is “Nimarata” (not “Nimrata”). Her middle name — by which she has always gone — is “Nikki.”

“Nimbra,” “Nimrata,” “Birdbrain” — in this you see the regnant spirit of the GOP.

After January 6, there were many Republicans, both in politics and in the media, who said, “Never again.” Never again can Donald Trump hold high office. He is a threat to our democracy. He is a shameless demagogue and liar and would-be strongman. He has no regard whatsoever for the Constitution or the rule of law.

But these same folks? Most of them, it seems to me, are geared up for another four years. They have been that way for months. They are back in their mode of support and defensiveness. Since 2016, I have noticed something about “anti-anti-Trump”: The first “anti” is more important than the second, by far. Indeed, “anti-anti-Trump” blends easily with “pro-Trump.”

“We had no choice!” Republicans may tell you, in their passivity — in their “learned helplessness” (as psychologists say). But they did have a choice, within the GOP. Nikki Haley is recognizably conservative. She had little chance in a party now Trumpified, Orbánized, etc. When she talked about Putin, for example, and his assault on Ukraine, she sounded like a ghost from the Republican past — a good ghost.

Conservatives will have to think and speak as clearly and boldly as ever. The world hath need of American conservatives, and the values they are meant to uphold.