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Opinion | Trump’s message to Republicans is clear: back me over DeSantis or prepare for war

  • Trump’s candidacy was expected, but his star shines less brightly these days and Republicans have a viable alternative in DeSantis
  • Trump bowing out for the good of the party is unlikely, raising the prospect of another clash between MAGA Republicans and the party establishment

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Flags in support of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and former US president Donald Trump fly in Lake Worth, Florida, on October 18. DeSantis’ success in Florida and the losses by many Trump-endorsed candidates indicate a potential changing of the guard at the head of the Republican Party. Photo: Bloomberg
For months, Donald Trump had teased another run for the presidency. Now, it’s official. “America’s comeback begins now,” he said last week at Mar-a-Lago. But while his re-election is far from likely, one certainty already exists: either the Republican Party follows his lead or Trump will burn it to the ground.
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We have seen this movie before. America has turned into a hellhole, a quagmire of corruption, economic instability, drugs and despair. While Trump turned things around during his tenure by delivering unprecedented success, US President Joe Biden only took two years to ruin the US again. Now, the story goes, Trump is forced to save the country again.

However, the timing of his announcement was surprising. Republicans suffered humiliating results during last week’s midterms, failing to win a majority in the Senate while only obtaining a narrow majority in the House. Polls had suggested a “red wave” for Republicans, but it turned out to be a “red wedding” instead.
Many Republicans were quick to point the finger at Trump. The latter endorsed various candidates in many pivotal races. However, his candidates promoted the “Big Lie” and were often too toxic to be elected. In swing states including Pennsylvania, Michigan, Arizona, Nevada and Georgia, almost 30 Trump-endorsed candidates suffered embarrassing defeats.

Republican Senator Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania put it succinctly: “We were in a moment, we were in a cycle, we were at a time when it’s good for Republicans for the race to be about President Biden, who is not popular, whose policies have failed. And instead, President Trump had to insert himself, which changed the nature of the race.”

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Trump’s former vice-president Mike Pence also found direct words for his old boss and the latter’s future in the party. “We will have better choices in 2024” than Trump, he said.
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