How Trump Hijacked His Party’s Best Resources
And why Republicans are too afraid to risk his wrath in order to win them back.
It’s still his party.
Photographer: Brandon Bell/Getty Images
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How is Donald Trump, six months out of office, able to wield so much influence within the Republican Party? A man who was solidly defeated for re-election; who was unpopular throughout his four years in office and ended those years at a low point; who subsequently, in his second impeachment trial, was condemned by numerous senators from his own party; and who, among other things, constantly serves up positions impossible for party politicians to defend. Just this weekend, Trump attacked the U.S. women’s soccer team as a bunch of losers. Is any Republican politician really happy to have to answer questions about that — at the risk of earning the wrath of the former president?