The crowd of Republicans burst into laughter as former President Donald Trump brazenly ridiculed a woman who accused him of rape.
They fervently cheered when he unabashedly defended his role during the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Their applause echoed through the hall after he declared he was honored to terminate Roe v. Wade.
Trump’s audacious show at the CNN town hall last Wednesday may backfire, potentially damaging his standing with critical demographics for next fall’s general election – particularly women, suburban residents, and independents.
However, the reaction from the audience underscores his ironclad influence over conservative voters, who will soon decide the GOP presidential nomination.
Trump’s Hold Over the GOP Base
Trump’s knack for turning his significant political liabilities into comedic gold and applause lines for the GOP base showcased the enormity of the task facing his Republican competitors.
A day after the town hall, Trump’s Republican detractors conceded they were at a loss on how to curb his influence.
GOP voters crave what Trump served up – the deceit, the personal attacks…and the media confrontation, expressed Sarah Longwell, founder of the anti-Trump Republican Accountability Project.
“It’s a critical wakeup call that Trump remains the most probable GOP nominee. It’s alarming, but essential we confront this reality and do everything possible to prevent his return to presidency.”
Silence in the Face of Controversy
The silence from most of Trump’s Republican competitors following a jury’s verdict holding Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation in a case brought by advice columnist E. Jean Carroll was deafening.
The jury ordered Trump to pay her $5 million. Yet, nearly no one in the GOP’s 2024 class capitalized on Trump’s numerous legal troubles.
Former Vice President Mike Pence, preparing to challenge Trump in the 2024 primary, deflected questions about the verdict, insisting the focus should be on pressing issues like the economy and public safety.
Downplaying the Unthinkable
The narrative remained the same when it came to the chilling violence on Jan. 6. Most Republican presidential hopefuls downplayed the incident, as most Republican voters are convinced of Trump’s unfounded claims that sparked the attack.
Even on abortion restrictions, a matter that alienated women and suburban voters in many previous elections, Trump likely won’t face repercussions for proudly taking credit for the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.
A Question of Electability
Following the GOP’s disappointing performance in the 2022 midterm elections, party leaders voiced concerns that Trump’s brand of politics had become toxic among a broader electorate, particularly women, independents, and college-educated suburban voters.
However, these worries seem to have receded recently as the party rallies behind Trump amidst new legal challenges.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is the latest Republican attempting to weaken Trump by highlighting electability concerns. DeSantis’ super PAC recently released a memo warning that a Trump nomination would be a disaster for the Republican Party at the ballot box.
Democrats Eager for Rematch
Democratic President Joe Biden appears to be eager for a rematch.
“It’s simple, folks. Do you want four more years of that?” Biden tweeted immediately after the CNN town hall, further releasing a video featuring Trump’s description of Jan. 6 as a beautiful day.
Lower-profile Republicans are battling to convey the same message to GOP primary voters. Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and former Rep. Liz Cheney have also joined the anti-Trump campaign, leveraging social media and TV ads to question Trump’s suitability.
Questioning Trump’s Suitability for Office
Christie, who is actively preparing to launch another Republican presidential bid, targeted New Hampshire voters with Facebook ads during the CNN event that highlighted Trump’s controversial behavior: provoking violence, paying hush money, and abusing women.
“Is this really the conduct we want from the president of the United States?” the Christie ad provocatively asks.
Liz Cheney, who lost her reelection last fall after spearheading the congressional probe into Jan. 6, used the town hall event to air a 60-second ad in New Hampshire focused on the insurrection.
“Donald Trump is the only president in American history who has refused to guarantee the peaceful transfer of power,” Cheney solemnly states in the ad. “Donald Trump is a risk America can never take again.”
Trump’s Unflinching Stance on Jan. 6 Attack
But if the Jan. 6 attack poses a political liability for Trump in 2024, he appears unfazed.
In addition to describing the violence as “a beautiful day,” Trump also stated at the town hall that he’s “inclined to pardon many of” his supporters who were convicted of criminal charges after participating in the attack.
“They’re living in hell,” Trump said of his loyalists who sought to disrupt the peaceful transfer of power to Biden. “Many of them are just great people.”
As the political storm brews, the question remains: Will Trump’s audacious defiance and the unwavering support of his base be enough to secure his place as the GOP’s 2024 presidential nominee?
Or will the mounting legal and ethical controversies finally tip the scales against him? The answer will shape the future of the GOP, and indeed, of the United States itself. Only time will tell.
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Source: AP News
