
<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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. ; ;</p>



<p>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. ; ;</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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. ;</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>So, there ‘tis.</p>

Trump is in the rearview mirror
