Donald Trump is waging a political shadow campaign that is drawing fire from the Democratic Party’s praetorian guard.
The usual suspects are claiming his mission to reshape the political landscape is ‘adrift.’ Politico lobbed a grenade at Trump with an attack piece on Sunday.
“The version of Trump that has emerged in the month and a half since he left office is far from the political godzilla many expected him to be,” Politico argues.
“He was supposed to unleash hell on a party apparatus that recoiled when his supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 and declined to fiercely defend him during his second impeachment. Instead, Trump has maintained close ties to GOP officials who have committed to supporting incumbents, stayed almost entirely out of the spotlight, delivered fairly anodyne remarks the one time he emerged, and offered only sparse criticism of his successor, Joe Biden.”
Despite the relentless attacks from the radical left, Donald Trump is back. He is seeking to become one of the most active ex-presidents in shaping the future of American politics. (At least, as far as the public is aware.)
“He’s showing more enthusiasm and involvement than most former presidents have,” Sen. Rand Paul said. “It’s going to be different. It’ll be sort of a shadow [president] campaign going on. I don’t know if he’ll run again, but I think he’s definitely going to be involved in 2022.”
The former president is actively screening a number of potential Senate candidates to endorse in Biden’s mid-term elections. GOP establishment types are trying to prod him into backing the ‘preferred’ candidates or at the very least, not draw his wrath.
“Endorse as many incumbents that you can,” Sen. Lindsey Graham recalled telling Trump when they talked on Monday. “Come out for the folks that you can come out for. Play team ball to the extent it’s possible.”
Donald Trump is playing “team ball” with the Republican Party. He has already backed a significant number of Senate candidates for the mid-terms.
“Trump has already officially endorsed Boozman, Tim Scott of South Carolina, Jerry Moran of Kansas and John Kennedy of Louisiana,” Politico reported. “In addition, Hoeven said Trump is supportive of his campaign. Trump is also encouraging former NFL running back Herschel Walker to run against Sen. Raphael Warnock.”
On Friday, Florida Senator Rick Scott shared a photo of his recent meeting with Donald Trump.
Great meeting with President Trump last night!
We are all focused on winning back the Senate majority in 2022 and saving our country from the radical policies of today’s Democrat Party. pic.twitter.com/PUclZWXsCx
— Rick Scott (@ScottforFlorida) March 12, 2021
“We are all focused on winning back the Senate majority in 2022 and saving our country from the radical policies of today’s Democrat Party,” Scott tweeted.
In addition, he backed Julia Letlow for a House seat in Louisiana, after her husband tragically passed away from COVID.
It's truly an honor to receive President Trump's endorsement and I look forward to joining in the fight to save our country by putting America first! pic.twitter.com/maezK3nNA7
— Julia B Letlow, Ph.D. (@jbletlow) March 11, 2021
Donald Trump also suggested that his daughter-in-law Lara Trump may make a bid for a U.S. Senate seat. At a surprise visit to a charity event on Sunday, he hinted that it was potentially in the cards.
President Trump's surprise speech at @BDRRescue's fundraiser. pic.twitter.com/xfVcgDtigG
— T.A. Walker (@timallanwalker) March 12, 2021
Despite Politico’s attempt to dismiss Donald Trump’s efforts, he has vocally and publicly criticized those who have crossed him. During his CPAC speech, he called out his ‘enemies list’ by name.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsuDjTCJQPY
“The Democrats don’t have grandstanders like Mitt Romney, little Ben Sasse, Richard Burr, Bill Cassidy, Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Pat Toomey,” Trump said. “And in the House, Tom Rice, South Carolina, Adam Kinzinger, Dan Newhouse, Anthony Gonzalez, that’s another beauty. Fred Upton, Jaime Herrera Beutler, Peter Meijer, John Katko, David Valadao. And, of course, the warmonger, a person that loves seeing our troops fighting, Liz Cheney. How about that? The good news is that in her state she has been censured. And in her state, her poll numbers have dropped faster than any human being I have ever seen.”
But the real test of Donald Trump’s influence will be the money and influence he wields to remove his enemies and GOP establishment types in open races. Trump’s clash with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is very real.
“They appear headed for a collision course in some of the party’s five open Senate races following the retirements of GOP Sens. Roy Blunt of Missouri, Rob Portman of Ohio, Richard Shelby of Alabama, Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania and Richard Burr of North Carolina,” Politico noted. “Republicans are most worried about Pennsylvania and North Carolina, two of Democrats’ best pick-up opportunities and states where Trump-inspired candidates could in theory be more vulnerable in general elections.”
“Those vacant seats will reshape the Senate GOP, as allies of McConnell are either replaced by Democrats or — especially in red states — Trump acolytes,” Politico adds.
The news media is already desperately spinning to diminish Trump’s role as kingmaker. But to tens of millions of Trump voters who are seeking payback after the 2020 election debacle, his leadership will be a vital compass to navigate America’s uncharted waters.
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OPINION: This article contains commentary which reflects the author's opinion.