Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022 | 2 a.m.
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As I recall the descent of Donald Trump down the escalator in 2015 to announce his bid for president, my faith in the probity of the Republican Party was about to be shattered. Today, I sense a foreboding of a political conflagration on the right from MAGA in-fighting and its controversial viewpoint on white nationalism, racism and QAnon conspiracy theories.
Trumpism has overwhelmed the ethics of the GOP. I shudder to think of a twice-impeached and polarizing figure making another run at the presidency. Trump’s first run was abetted by the Wikileaks blitz of Hillary Clinton’s emails. This time he will play the victim of an overzealous Justice Department launching a political attack on his candidacy. Another term for him in office should be stymied by his looming brush with the law holding him accountable for an attempted coup, mishandling of government documents and election meddling.
Who can condone a former president hosting a dinner with guests like the antisemite Ye and white supremacist Nick Fuentes? So few in the GOP have condemned his lack of judgment and bigotry. The party needs new leadership.
The GOP continues to lean into extremism despite the will of the voters who prefer moderation, as seen in the results of the 2022 midterm elections. Trump promised so much winning. What we have seen is a lot of losing, from Trump-backed candidates to numerous court rulings. You can’t be a leader if you are afraid, and Trump has reasons to be very afraid.
