Trump’s Escalating Attacks Show “GOP Could Splinter Badly In Primaries Next Year”

New reporting from POLITICO and The Hill highlights how “Trump’s insult-laden diatribe against McConnell this weekend signals that the GOP could splinter badly in primaries next year” and “sets the stage for a series of bitter and uncertain nominating contests.” 

An unwavering allegiance to Donald Trump is already defining and escalating Republicans’ primary battles, and “future GOP Senate primaries in states like Georgia, North Carolina, Arizona, Pennsylvania, Missouri and Ohio offer more opportunities for intraparty conflict.”

See for yourself: 

The Hill: Trump digs in on attacks against Republican leaders

• Former President Trump is showing no signs of wanting to unify the GOP even as party leaders scramble to smooth out divisions that they fear will be damaging in the 2022 midterm elections.

• Trump remains the most influential Republican in the country and commands the continued support of a loyal voter base that appreciates his willingness to attack his political enemies, including those in his own party.

• Trump’s vow to support primary challenges to GOP incumbents who have broken with him sets the stage for a series of bitter and uncertain nominating contests that will pit the former president’s political operation against that of the Republican Party.

POLITICO: Republicans pray for truce after Trump attacks on McConnell

• Trump’s insult-laden diatribe against McConnell this weekend signals that the GOP could splinter badly in primaries next year — and raises the question of whether McConnell and Trump can work together at all.

• Future GOP Senate primaries in states like Georgia, North Carolina, Arizona, Pennsylvania, Missouri and Ohio offer more opportunities for intraparty conflict.

• Republicans can’t quite grin their way through the current schism. Just this year, Trump asked donors to give to his own political group instead of GOP campaign committees.

• It’s easy to see how continued discord will hinder the GOP’s efforts to take back the Senate majority next year.

See also: The Hill: Trump’s early endorsements reveal GOP rift; CNN: Analysis: Donald Trump’s fingerprints are all over the 2022 Senate fight; CNN: Senate Republicans already have a Donald Trump problem; Washington Post: Trump inspired Republican Senate candidates create early tensions over direction of the party; New York Times: Republicans Fear Flawed Candidates Could Imperil Key Senate Seats; The Hill: Trump allies line up ahead of potentially bruising primaries. 

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