"A great act of disloyalty because, you know, I got him in."
That's how Donald Trump described the buzzing speculation that Ron DeSantis, as we're told over and over again, is mounting a presidential run. The claim was classic Trump, an ugly warning wrapped in self-aggrandizing delusion; nothing really interesting. But I found the remark bouncing around my head today while reading McKay Coppins' latest piece in the Atlantic examining the rather strange predicament before Republicans these days.
According to Coppins, many in the GOP are hoping that Trump quietly vanishes, whether it be via the criminal justice system—where it seems like things are heating up against the former president—or even death from old age. "You have a lot of folks who are just wishing for [Trump's] mortal demise," is what one former Republican congressman said.
So why isn't DeSantis, largely seen as Trump's primary rival for the nomination, defending himself against Trump's fighting words? What about the others? Well, you should read Coppins' piece, which explores the rationale behind the silence. But for me, it really doesn't get more complex than the fact that this is a party of pathetic cowardice. A political entity that can't seem to muster the strength to hit back, even in the most gentle form, at a 76-year-old, twice-impeached loser who refuses to change. This is a party that is standing by an extraordinary liar whose donors don't seem to exist, who is the laughingstock of an entire country full of them.
So, I can't even fault Trump for attacking DeSantis with such petty contempt. Wouldn't you do the same?
—Inae Oh
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