In a recent posting on his personal online social media platform, President Trump claimed a victory in the Midterm Election. Really? That is akin to Confederate President Jefferson Davis claiming victory over General Sherman in Atlanta. It is only part of Trump’s propensity to exaggerate and puff himself up.
In reality, Trump continues his long decline as a positive force in American politics – or in the Republican Party. His showpiece candidates across the country were overwhelmingly rejected. The closer they identified with Trump, the worse the election results. There is not enough lipstick in the world to conceal that pig.
Some say it is time to put Trump in the rearview mirror. The nation already has – including most Republicans. Despite his one-election success, Trump has never had the support of a majority of American … never. His one victory in 2016 was because of the technicality of the Electoral College.
I have often noted that elections are won or lost depending on what voters decided to decide upon. We hear a lot about inflation, crime, and abortion. If you examine the results of the Midterm Election forensically, you might conclude that the voters decided to decide on Trump. While he was not on the ballot, his political clones were.
I would argue that Trump was on the ballot in 2018, when the GOP lost the House. He was actually on the ballot in 2020 when Republicans lost the presidency and the Senate. And now in 2022, Trump’s brand and influence brought the GOP the worst off-year elections result in modern history – against an unpopular President and high inflation. Because of Trump, it was no longer the economy, stupid. It was Trump.
By any measure, Trump is the biggest loser in the election. Other than a Pied Piper for a very small and shrinking group of zealots, the man has no base. I had estimated his hardcore base at not more than 15 percent of Republicans. Since the Midterm Election, that has undoubtedly decreased.
For a man who self-proclaims himself to be a winner, he has a rather poor record. In addition to his own claim, critics often complain that Trump always gets away with things –is never held accountable.
Actually, his record as a winner is rebutted by a lot of facts. He has had success at running a real estate empire. But he had to close his Trump University and pay fines. He had to close his foundation and pay fines. He won the presidency in 2016 with less popular votes than Hillary Clinton – and since then … zip.
And now he has supported a slate of Trump candidates that lost elections that should have been won by the GOP. The recent Midterm Election was such a huge loss for Trump, that it is doubtful that he can play a leading role in Republican politics in the future. If he were to mount a bid for a second term, I would comfortably predict another huge defeat. Unfortunately, he would take down the GOP with him – as he has been doing since 2016.
To paraphrase the Marlon Brando line, “He could have been somebody.” He could have been a VERY popular and successful President. He could have led the Republican Party to great victories. But his combative, egocentric, and pugnacious personality got in the way.
I have defended Trump from the “slings and arrows of outrageous fortune” that bombarded him of irrationally hateful and vicious political enemies on the left – primarily the Democratic Party and a corrupt and biased news media. But have never defended his personality. Unfortunately, that personality has undermined and overshadowed his own accomplishments – and those of his Republican administration.
In judging Trump, it is like looking at a balance sheet – with assets on one side and liabilities on the other. Yes, there are positive accomplishments on the one side – BUT too many liabilities on the other. Trump’s political enterprise underwater. And no one did more damage to Trump than he, himself. As I have noted in past commentaries, he destroyed his own credibility. The inflicted damage is not just on himself. He has damaged the Republican Party and the conservative cause. As the once supportive New York Post has correctly noted, Trump has become politically toxic.
Yes … he will retain a measure of power and has significant political money, but He can no longer rally enough of the American public to be the king-of-the-mountain. In terms of elective office, he is politically dead on arrival. It is time for new leadership – and they are already on the scene. The era of Trump is over – even if he did not get the memo.
Trump’s recent attacks on election night’s biggest winner, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. That is causing a lot of Trump supporters here in Florida to withdraw support. And I am referring to totally Trump supporters – not folks like me who have and will vote against Trump in the GOP primaries. I will have more to say about Trump’s attack on DeSantis in a future commentary. What we see in the results of the Midterm Election was not a red wave. It was not even a red mirage. It was the GOP elephant on the ground bleeding from wounds inflicted by Trump.
So, there ‘tis.