Donald Trump on Wednesday was facing a possible rebellion from top Republican Party officials after his week-long feud with the parents of a fallen U.S. soldier, and after Trump’s refusal to say he endorses House Speaker Paul Ryan’s re-election.
While Trump has put Republican loyalty to the test for months now, his lack of endorsement for Ryan ignited a new fire within the GOP that has reportedly led several top Republicans to question their nominee’s commitment to the party and his determination to defeat Hillary Clinton.
Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus was furious about Trump’s decision to snub Ryan and Arizona Sen. John McCain, two of the highest-ranking GOP lawmakers, by declining to endorse them ahead of their upcoming congressional primaries. Priebus reportedly called Trump’s staff on Tuesday night to vent his frustration with the billionaire’s latest setback in achieving party unity.
Reports were also surfacing this week that some Republicans are openly wondering how they might replace Trump if he were to suddenly drop out of the race, and that voting against Trump was suddenly an option for many Republicans.
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“Republicans now say Mr. Trump’s obstinacy in addressing perhaps the gravest crisis of his campaign may trigger drastic defections within the party, and Republican lawmakers and strategists have begun to entertain abandoning him en masse,” the New York Times reported Tuesday.
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The turmoil continued after rumors swirled late Tuesday that Trump’s campaign was in disarray, and that many of his staffers were “suicidal” over how the campaign was going.
Trump rejected that idea in a Wednesday tweet in which he said there is “great unity” in the campaign. But even Republican allies were warning Trump he was taking it too far, especially related to his feud with Khan.
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Yes. Let's pretend Trump's erratic behavior and failure to do the party's bidding is something new! https://t.co/frwO8Vtsbm
— Mulder's Shroom Ride (@proteinwisdom) August 3, 2016
NEW: Donald Trump's antics fuel talk of mutiny among fed-up GOP leaders https://t.co/hNFtyTtJJx pic.twitter.com/ZjfgVxJjxE
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) August 3, 2016
*phone rings*
Ted Cruz: Hello?
Paul Ryan (muffled): Be ready. Two weeks.
Ted: Paul? What is this?
Paul: Be ready.
*click*— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) August 2, 2016
Three months since Trump locked up the nomination. Has he changed yet?
— Patrick Ruffini (@PatrickRuffini) August 3, 2016
Let me get this straight: Trump could shit on everything we believe and it was fine for the GOP but now that he won't support Ryan- mutiny?
— Bethany S. Mandel (@bethanyshondark) August 3, 2016
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