By John Q. Hosedrinker The Trump White House was a chaotic mess, led by a self-loathing narcissist with delusions of adequacy. The level of unprofessionalism, intolerance, and idiocy that emanated from that administration was unparalleled, and it left a stain on the Republican Party that they may never be able to scrub clean. Now, as the 2024 election season approaches, MAGA supporters are starting to panic at the thought that Donald Trump may not make it to the ballot. The question on everyone’s minds seems to be: will Trump be able to carry this candidacy to full term?
One would think that after all the legal troubles, mental health concerns, and general incompetence displayed by Trump, the Republican Party would have learned their lesson. However, as the prospect of Trump not being on the ballot looms, panic seems to be setting in. The idea of Trump not being the nominee at the convention is causing tremors within the GOP, and for good reason. Trump has a stronghold on the RNC, and the thought of him not being the face of the party is sending shockwaves through the conservative ranks.
But why the panic? Could it be that some within the party are starting to realize the catastrophic implications of nominating Trump once again? As Lindsey Graham so aptly put it, “If we nominate Trump, we will get destroyed … and we will deserve it.” It’s clear that Trump’s presidency has left a scar on the Republican Party, and the fear of nominating him once more is all too real.
The idea of Trump not making it to the ballot is not beyond the realm of possibility. With his legal troubles mounting, his mental health declining, and his general unpopularity among a large segment of the population, the chances of him being the Republican nominee in 2024 are not as solid as they once seemed. And yet, the blind loyalty of the MAGA crowd cannot be ignored. Even if Trump were in jail, frothing at the mouth like a rabid dog, there are those who would still vote for him.
The spinelessness displayed by many Republicans in standing up to Trump is deeply troubling. The party seems to be willingly trapped in an abusive relationship with a man who has no qualms about leading them further down the path of destruction. The lack of a viable plan B within the party speaks volumes about the current state of the GOP.
As the speculation about Trump’s ability to make it to the ballot swirls, one thing is clear: the Republican Party is at a crossroads. Will they continue down the path of destruction with Trump at the helm, or will they finally muster the courage to break free from the grip of his toxic influence? Only time will tell. As a long-time independent voting Blue (yet again), the prospect of a Trump-less ballot is both terrifying and hopeful. It’s time for the GOP to wake up and smell the coffee before it’s too late. The future of our democracy may depend on it.