The Real Trump Kingmaker Test

August 15, 2022

Through the first few months of the primary elections, it is undeniably clear that Donald Trump is the sole kingmaker of the Republican Party. Most of the candidates he endorsed, in whatever state or elected role, beat their opponents.

Just two months ago, the consensus of the political watchdogs was that the Republicans would beyond a doubt win back both houses of Congress. That looks doubtful now. At present, the Democrats have a good shot of retaining the Senate. This new Democrat optimism is largely due to the primary victories by several Trump-backed GOP nominees. Donald Trump’s backing of several victorious candidates in various Senate races will probably be the cause of the Republicans not gaining the Senate. What was a virtual sure thing for the GOP has become a toss-up, even Democrat leaning. Why? Many of Trump’s candidates are either too extreme or not qualified to win in the general election.

It is a known fact that the more party-loyal voters turn out heavily during primaries, while the great majority of voters tend to vote only in the general election. This can often lead to nominees from both parties being too far right or too far left for most voters. Trump and his die-hard base have managed to push several bad candidates over the top during the primaries. However, it is unlikely that the majority of the general population will vote for these people. Specifically, Trump’s chosen candidates in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Arizona will have an uphill battle winning these open Senate seats. If Republicans do not win all four of these races, they will probably not win the Senate. These are all bad candidates who are now all polling lower than their Democratic counterparts.

Clearly, what Republicans and Trump himself do not fully understand (or in Trump’s case, does not care) is that the real test comes in November. The simple test is this – if a Trump-endorsed GOP nominee loses, especially in this political environment that heavily favors Republicans, GOP leaders and donors should start to turn their back on their Lord and Savior. The American people would have spoken – they would firmly reject the man and his puppets, favoring instead a nominee who is of stronger character and actually cares about more than just himself.

An interesting note I'd like to point out. In a calculated gamble, Democrats identified a pathway to keep their majority in congress. Whether ethical or not, they intervened on behalf of Trump-endorsed candidates, seeing them as much more defeatable than a more traditional conservative. We'll see if this strategy ends up helping them or not.

Back in my scathing letter in the Spring of 2021, I wrote that I hoped Republicans would be humiliated in 2022, signaling the rejection of the disgraced former president. For the sake of our Republic, I hope and pray we are about to witness these past words. It is clear to me that Trump just does not care – it is all about his personal agenda and vendettas.

In Ancient Rome, when an emperor died, the Senate decided to either deify the dead man, or damn him and his memory forever. The damage and division former president Donald Trump inflicted on this great country is a terrible legacy to leave. Let his name and memory be damned forever.