GOP strategists doubt that Trump’s Party will abandon Trump after the midterms

• After Trump’s performance in midterms, Republicans have been publicly critiquing Trump.
• GOP strategists are unsure if Trump will actually be moved on by the party.
• One said, “We are at a starting point and we don’t know if it continues or not.”

The Republicans have been publicly criticizing former President Donald Trump for his support of candidates who failed to perform in the midterm election. However, it remains to be seen if this drumbeat is loud enough that it drives him out as party leader.

“There’s an old Frank Sinatra song that he sings, “I’ve heard this song before.” — We’ve heard this song before,” Doug Heye, a veteran GOP strategist, told Insider on Thursday. “What we don’t know, however, is what that second verse will be, and are Republicans going the actual stick to it?”

Trump backed many Republican candidates in crucial races who embraced his politics while supporting his absurd claims about the 2020 election. Although they had success in their primaries many of them failed to gain the broad support needed to win the general election. One example: Trump acolytes ran for governor in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Trump’s endorsed Republican Mehmet Oz, who was also in Pennsylvania, lost a Senate seat the party had hoped to secure a majority. The House saw the end of any hopes for a red wave.

Gunner Ramer, political director at the anti-Trump group Republican Accountability Project told Insider that Tuesday’s results showed what happens when Donald Trump takes over the Republican Party. “His candidates are a complete repellent to swing voters. It’s not going be helpful if you want a winning coalition when it comes time to hold a general election.”

Trump’s disappointing performance has led to calls for him to be resigned. A host of lawmakers, strategists, media personalities, and even newly elected officials blame Trump for the party’s failures and losses.

“I would love to see the party move ahead,” Rep.-elect Michael Lawler, New York told CNNThursday “I believe if you’re focused on the future, the past can’t be ignored.”

Some aren’t so sure that Trump will be thrown out by the party because of his strong base.

Insider was told by a former House Republican leadership aide that Trump will be pushed out in any way. “The party is so afraid that if he is pushed out in whatever way, he would take his core supporters and splinter them from Republican party,” he said. “And the Republican party is just not in a place to make that deal.”

History has also given us reason to doubt. The blast-Trump-then-backtrack game has happened countless times before, from when he first made controversial comments on the 2016 campaign trail to the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot: Republicans criticize him, but then quickly forgive and embrace him again.

“You had a president who incited an attack against the Capitol building to overturn an electoral election. “It’s difficult to imagine anything more egregious than a sitting president could have done,” said the aide. “But the party’s refused to split from him because it was afraid of losing his support.”

Some Republicans still believe this time will be different. Ron DeSantis’ win in Florida is evidence that there are other viable members for the party.

“I believe we can, as parties, probably move forward, with fresh blood,” Josh Novotney, a Republican strategist who worked for the retiring Sen. Pat Toomey from Pennsylvania. “My gut says that this is a wake up call for those who were still supportive of it.” [Trump]Others that were quiet on the issue might be more vocal in saying, “It’s now time to move on.”

Current frustrations over Trump also don’t mean much unless the chorus continues, and at all levels — local, state, and national, strategists say.

Heye stated, “We are at a starting point and we don’t know if it continues or not.”