The following article, The MAGA Takeover: Republicans Bow to Trump as the Old Guard Crumbles, was first published on The Black Sphere.
The death knell for the Old Guard Republicans has officially sounded.
At 83 years old, Mitch McConnell, the third-oldest sitting senator and a fixture in the Senate since 1985, finally announced he won’t seek re-election. The question on everyone’s mind: what took him so long? McConnell, who has literally frozen mid-speech multiple times, has become a symbol of a bygone era—one that MAGA Republicans are eager to bury.
The news of McConnell’s impending departure was met with jubilation from Trump loyalists, who have long viewed him as an obstacle to their vision for the GOP. McConnell, almost universally despised by the new face of the Republican Party, Donald Trump, represents everything MAGA seeks to dismantle. But McConnell isn’t the only relic of the old regime feeling the heat.
Take Asa Hutchinson, the former governor of Arkansas and a vocal Trump critic. As MSNBC reports:
Not on the program was former Arkansas governor Asa Hutchinson, a primary contender who was critical of Trump and hasn’t endorsed him. A year ago, he declared he wouldn’t vote for a convicted felon for president − an unprecedented status that Trump has since attained. But even Hutchinson is no longer so certain about that, saying in an interview that he has been impressed by Trump’s call for national unity in the aftermath of the assassination attempt he survived at a Pennsylvania rally Saturday.
This article predates Trump’s re-election, but my own conversation with Hutchinson during Trump’s post-coup exile revealed a man who once saw Trump as toxic to the party. Hutchinson, like many establishment Republicans, believed Trump would destroy the GOP. Instead, Trump became its disinfectant, purging the party of its old guard and reshaping it in his image.
The numbers don’t lie.
A USA TODAY/Suffolk poll from July of last year showed 87% of Republicans viewed Trump favorably—a number that has only grown since the election. Trump’s coalition, built on distrust of elites, skepticism of foreign entanglements, and fierce opposition to illegal immigration, has reshaped the GOP into a party that thrives on disruption.
As Frank Luntz, a GOP pollster, put it:
It’s less about ideology and more about personal philosophy and personal circumstance. If you feel ignored, forgotten, betrayed; if you feel the elite doesn’t understand you, doesn’t care about you, and you’ve been left behind − that’s the new Republican Party.
The changing of the guard was starkly evident at the GOP convention, where notable absences spoke volumes. Missing were George W. Bush, Mike Pence, and Mitt Romney—figures who once defined the party but now find themselves sidelined. Even McConnell, when recognized to cast Kentucky’s delegation votes for Trump, was drowned out by a chorus of boos.
The purge is far from over. As ABC explains:
Let me take you back just eight years ago to Jan. 20, 2017. On the day Trump took office for the first time, there were 293 Republican members of the House and Senate. Few, if any, of them were products of the Trump movement… Today, only 121 of those 293 B.T. (Before Trump) Republican legislators (41 percent) still have an office on Capitol Hill.
Trump’s Recent Moves to Cement His Dominance
Since his re-election, Trump has been relentless in solidifying his control over the Republican Party while simultaneously outmaneuvering Democrats at every turn. His strategy? A combination of populist rhetoric, strategic endorsements, and a mastery of media narratives that keeps his base energized and his opponents scrambling.
1. The Endorsement Machine
Trump has turned endorsements into a political weapon, backing candidates who pledge unwavering loyalty to his agenda. In key battleground states, Trump-endorsed candidates have swept primaries, often defeating establishment Republicans. This has not only expanded his influence but also sent a clear message: cross Trump, and your political career is over.
For example, in Arizona, Trump-backed candidates like Kari Lake have embraced his election fraud claims, ensuring that the “Stop the Steal” narrative remains central to the GOP’s identity. Meanwhile, in Georgia, Trump’s vendetta against Governor Brian Kemp has reshaped the state’s political landscape, with Kemp narrowly surviving a primary challenge fueled by Trump’s wrath.
2. Owning the Media Narrative
Trump’s ability to dominate headlines remains unmatched. Whether it’s through his Truth Social platform or carefully timed public appearances, he ensures that his voice is the loudest in the room. His recent rallies have drawn massive crowds, with speeches that blend grievance politics with promises of a triumphant return.
But it’s not just about rallies. Trump has skillfully used legal battles and investigations against him to galvanize his base. Framing himself as a victim of a “witch hunt,” he’s turned indictments into fundraising goldmines. The more Democrats and the media attack him, the stronger his support grows.
3. Hammering Biden on the Economy and Immigration
Trump has relentlessly hammered the Biden administration on two issues that resonate deeply with voters: the economy and immigration. With inflation soaring and gas prices fluctuating, Trump’s message of “I told you so” has struck a chord. He’s also capitalized on the crisis at the southern border, blaming Biden for what he calls an “invasion” of illegal immigrants.
His recent speeches have painted a dystopian picture of America under Democratic rule, promising to restore “law and order” upon his return to the White House. This messaging has not only energized his base but also attracted independents and even some disillusioned Democrats.
4. Exploiting Democratic Divisions
Trump has been quick to exploit the fractures within the Democratic Party. From progressive infighting to Biden’s declining approval ratings, he’s positioned himself as the antidote to Democratic dysfunction. His campaign has amplified every misstep by the Biden administration, from the chaotic Afghanistan withdrawal to the ongoing debate over student loan forgiveness.
By framing the 2024 election as a choice between strength and weakness, Trump has put Democrats on the defensive. His recent taunts about Biden’s age and mental acuity have only added fuel to the fire, forcing Democrats to rally around a president many see as vulnerable.
5. Building a Coalition of the Disaffected
Perhaps Trump’s most significant achievement has been his ability to build a coalition of voters who feel left behind by both parties. From blue-collar workers in the Rust Belt to Hispanic voters in Florida, Trump’s message of economic populism and cultural conservatism has broadened his appeal.
His gains among Black and Hispanic voters, in particular, have alarmed Democrats, who once relied on these demographics as part of their electoral base. Trump’s focus on issues like school choice, opposition to critical race theory, and support for law enforcement has resonated with communities traditionally loyal to the Democratic Party.
The Democrats’ Dilemma
While Trump consolidates power, Democrats are struggling to mount an effective counteroffensive. Democrats’ approval ratings remain stubbornly low, and the party is deeply divided over how to confront Trump’s resurgence. Progressive Democrats push for bold policies like Medicare for All and the Green New Deal, while moderates warn that such moves could alienate swing voters.
Meanwhile, Trump continues to frame the 2024 election as a referendum on Biden’s presidency, painting Democrats as out-of-touch elites who have failed to deliver for ordinary Americans. With Trump’s base fired up and Democrats in disarray, the stage is set for a political showdown that could redefine American politics for decades to come.
The GOP is now Trump’s party, and the old guard is crumbling. The question remains: what will rise from the ashes? One thing is certain—Trump isn’t done yet.
Continue reading The MAGA Takeover: Republicans Bow to Trump as the Old Guard Crumbles …
Google Search
