, Columnist
Republicans Can Give Up on Reining In Trump
He knows when his attacks have gone too far. But he can't stop himself.
No exit.
Photographer: Joe Raedle/Getty ImagesThis article is for subscribers only.
The Republican leaders now imploring Donald Trump to avoid "distractions" are wasting their time. These aren't distractions. They are the real Trump.
It's not in his DNA to back down, whether it's from demeaning the parents of an Army captain killed in Iraq or from lying about his mockery of a disabled reporter. Instead, the Republican presidential nominee doubles down when caught in mistakes or outright lies.