According to lawyer and US expert Kenneth Manusama, there are minor cracks between former President Donald Trump and his Republican colleagues. Trump appeared in federal court yesterday, where he faces 37 charges. He later gave a speech in New Jersey where he vowed to sue President Joe Biden if he became president.
37 indictments, yet Trump supporters chanted outside the courtroom. Additionally, all kinds of Republican celebrities and media outlets like Fox News are speaking out against Biden. But many Republican senators have begun to distance themselves from the former president. As did presidential candidate Nikki Haley, who called the situation “irresponsible” and “not good.”
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More Republicans recognize that the facts are stark. Members of Trump’s party must always make a political calculation: Given the elections and the future of America, how much more do I want to align myself with Trump? According to Manusama, his party members are increasingly unsure of which tactics to adopt. People have been fed up with Trump for a while now, not just because of his presidency, but because of the Capitol and the 2020 election.
“Establishment Republicans”
‘Establishment Republicans’ are those who hold certain key positions within the party, such as seats in the Senate. As an example, Manusama cites former Attorney General Bill Barr, who acknowledged that Trump’s case was too damaging. Trump supporters don’t like the ‘establishment’ because they too are slowly turning against Trump.
‘He gets energy from all the attention’
Florida presidential candidate and governor Ron DeSantis has not yet commented on the case. “This shows how serious this case is,” says Manusama. “DeSantis is very similar to Trump in his demeanor, but also in his political positions.”
As Manusama said, Trump’s silence on the matter shows his fear of the moderate Republican electorate. In addition, he has to take into account the independent voter who can play an important role in the general election. That’s why he speaks less of it. When the wind picks up, the anti-wake starts again,” says Manusama.
Trump’s birthday
Today is Trump’s birthday. That’s why there was a barrage of noise from his supporters at the Cuban Hotel yesterday. Despite everything, people think today is a good birthday for Trump. “He thrives on this kind of controversy. He gets energized by all the attention. All the core supporters are very angry, but passionate about Trump and fully support him. He loves it.’
A more hardened core of Trump supporters still holds the Republican Party in their grip. “That’s why it’s hard for Republican politicians to distance themselves from him, and that’s why there’s no question of a more definitive break between Trump and those politicians,” says Manusama.
