# Trump won't be the Republican party nominee in 2024

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-wont-be-the-republican-party-nominee-in-2024/996834>\
**Category:** Politics & Elections\
**Tags:** trump\
**Created:** [January 29, 2024, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-wont-be-the-republican-party-nominee-in-2024/996834 "2024-01-29T20:25:48Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 12

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**Author:** ![Askance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/askance/32/8281_2.png) [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)\
**Post date:** [February 13, 2024, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-wont-be-the-republican-party-nominee-in-2024/996834/221 "2024-02-13T00:20:53Z")

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> [@Aeschines](#):
>
> This is an example of the ever expanding crazy that might cause Trump to be pressured out:
> 
> [https://www.reuters.com/world/us/republicans-blast-trump-over-threat-abandon-nato-allies-2024-02-12/](https://www.reuters.com/world/us/republicans-blast-trump-over-threat-abandon-nato-allies-2024-02-12/)

> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#):
>
> Ha ha! No.
> 
> Give it a few weeks/months and these same Republicans who are blasting Trump now will be falling over themselves to condemn NATO and suggest that it would be for the best if Putin takes over all of Europe.

Or even a few days …

> **[Republicans say Trump call for Russia to attack Nato allies was just fine,...](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/feb/12/trump-nato-russia-comments-republicans)**
>
> Tom Cotton echoes fellow GOP senators, saying former president was ‘simply ringing the warning bell’

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**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\
**Post date:** [February 13, 2024, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-wont-be-the-republican-party-nominee-in-2024/996834/222 "2024-02-13T00:49:08Z")

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Husband to wife: “You made me hit you! it’s all your fault!”

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**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\
**Post date:** [February 13, 2024, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-wont-be-the-republican-party-nominee-in-2024/996834/223 "2024-02-13T00:57:11Z")

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Exactly. Suffice to say that for the diehards (and many of them are diehards), they will follow Trump no matter how bad he gets. If you point out how bad it is, the answer is always “it’s the liberals’ fault that we have to do this.”

The operating principle of these people is “look what you made me do.” So no, I don’t think they’re going to suddenly scrape together a few shreds of self-respect and change course. Not until Trump gets defeated again (and that’s the minimal criterion).

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**Author:** ![Aeschines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aeschines/32/16251_2.png) [@Aeschines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aeschines)\
**Post date:** [February 13, 2024, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-wont-be-the-republican-party-nominee-in-2024/996834/224 "2024-02-13T01:36:03Z")

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> [@Johnny\_Bravo](#):
>
> His current slowly stumbling decline into incoherence ain’t cutting it. I’m talking total aphasia, dementia, or similar.

He’s not too far from that. What’s happening now, though, is that his poor cognitive state is causing him to say outrageous things that were even too outrageous for him in the past.

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**Author:** ![Aeschines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aeschines/32/16251_2.png) [@Aeschines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aeschines)\
**Post date:** [February 13, 2024, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-wont-be-the-republican-party-nominee-in-2024/996834/225 "2024-02-13T01:38:57Z")

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A few like MTG clearly do, but I think most of them, at this stage, stand for absolutely nothing other than whatever gets them elected. The critical mass “whereof” I speak is not about these fools suddenly getting a conscience but about their breathing in the stink of impending massive defeat and deciding that their obeisance to Trump isn’t worth it any more.

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**Author:** ![Aeschines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aeschines/32/16251_2.png) [@Aeschines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aeschines)\
**Post date:** [February 13, 2024, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-wont-be-the-republican-party-nominee-in-2024/996834/226 "2024-02-13T01:42:58Z")

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> [@flurb](#):
>
> He wasn’t close to being convicted — it would have taken another ten votes to convict. Senate Republicans voted for his acquittal by a margin of 43-7.

Apparently McConnell was in favor of impeachment early on and was working on getting votes in that direction but lost his nerve midway. So out of character. /s

> [@](#):
>
> Frankly, I think you’re viewing recent history and current Republican politics through extremely rose-colored glasses.

I clearly see them like everyone here as spineless, worthless sludge, but the difference lies in my perception that they will go the route of self-preservation and ditch Trump in the near future.

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**Author:** ![Aeschines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aeschines/32/16251_2.png) [@Aeschines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aeschines)\
**Post date:** [February 13, 2024, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-wont-be-the-republican-party-nominee-in-2024/996834/227 "2024-02-13T01:48:47Z")

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> [@HMS\_Irruncible](#):
>
> Wrong. Here’s precisely how that would go down:

I’ve seen that cartoon before. It’s very funny and on target. But I think it’s fair to say it deals with MAGAs and not Republican politicians themselves. Most of the latter are kissing Trump’s (shudder) ass out of necessity, not out of enthusiasm.

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**Author:** ![Aeschines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aeschines/32/16251_2.png) [@Aeschines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aeschines)\
**Post date:** [February 13, 2024, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-wont-be-the-republican-party-nominee-in-2024/996834/228 "2024-02-13T02:00:56Z")

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> [@HMS\_Irruncible](#):
>
> Exactly. Suffice to say that for the diehards (and many of them are diehards), they will follow Trump no matter how bad he gets. If you point out how bad it is, the answer is always “it’s the liberals’ fault that we have to do this.”

Yep, but that’s MAGAs. Few of the GOP pols would take a bullet–or lose an election–for Trump if they don’t have to. The trouble is that kissing Trump’s ass has been necessary for them to stay in the game at all. That’s why they do it.

> [@](#):
>
> The operating principle of these people is “look what you made me do.”

Sadly, this will stay after Trump is gone. Fox News will continue its Lib-bashing grift as long as it possibly can. The GOP and the principle-free right need to be completely expunged from the Republic, but this will take some more time (actually, I think the GOP is on death watch as a national party).

> [@](#):
>
> So no, I don’t think they’re going to suddenly scrape together a few shreds of self-respect and change course. Not until Trump gets defeated again (and that’s the minimal criterion).

The only escape is to kick him out. If he wins, they will have to deal with his descent into madness and debility as POTUS, and if he loses, they will have to deal with his running for president until he dies.

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**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\
**Post date:** [February 13, 2024, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-wont-be-the-republican-party-nominee-in-2024/996834/229 "2024-02-13T02:15:55Z")

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> [@velomont](#):
>
> > [@pulykamell](#):
> >
> > Ya know, I just don’t know anymore. I would like to think I live in a reality where this couldn’t happen, but I just don’t know. Every time it’s like _THIS is the straw that will break the camel’s back with the Republicans_, it never happens.
> 
> This. I believe that his supporters are so mindless, ignorant, stupid, uneducated, incapable of critical thought, or whatever (as the last eight years have clearly demonstrated), that they would be able to rationalize how a Nazi salute and “Sieg heil!” would be ok. Besides, enough of them are probably sufficiently racist enough that it wouldn’t necessarily require that much of a stretch.

I’m in agreement with the above and think, that @Aeschines is missing a key point, one they stumbled over themselves:

> [@Aeschines](#):
>
> I think we’ve reached a turning point where the media’s self-interest lies less in playing up the horse race and more in outright saying Trump is a danger.

The Media? The only media that that MAGA / Republicans follow is Fox news or even more radical, unhinged sources. And they have EVERY reason to keep whipping up the frenzy. That’s what has made them successes so far. Heck when Fox started to publish the most mild imaginable criticism of Trump and push DeSantis they quickly reversed course when their base started to head towards OANN. So they will absolutely pander to anything that supports Trump, and -bury- anything that gives the faintest hint of failure or infirmity.

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**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\
**Post date:** [February 13, 2024, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-wont-be-the-republican-party-nominee-in-2024/996834/230 "2024-02-13T02:28:38Z")

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As long as the Repugnant party thinks Trump can win, there is no chance they could drop him. And now that Biden has been Comeyed by Hur, I don’t think Trump could lose.

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**Author:** ![Aeschines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aeschines/32/16251_2.png) [@Aeschines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aeschines)\
**Post date:** [February 13, 2024, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-wont-be-the-republican-party-nominee-in-2024/996834/231 "2024-02-13T02:42:04Z")

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> [@ParallelLines](#):
>
> The Media? The only media that that MAGA / Republicans follow is Fox news or even more radical, unhinged sources. And they have EVERY reason to keep whipping up the frenzy. That’s what has made them successes so far.

Yep, Fox News will continue to support Trump until he’s gone, no question. It’s the _other_ media–the ones that can influence “independents,” etc.–that worry Republicans. The good news is that, if Trump is not the nominee, Fox News will more or less gladly support the nominee. They will have no choice.

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**Author:** ![Aeschines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aeschines/32/16251_2.png) [@Aeschines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aeschines)\
**Post date:** [February 13, 2024, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-wont-be-the-republican-party-nominee-in-2024/996834/232 "2024-02-13T02:44:13Z")

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> [@Hari\_Seldon](#):
>
> As long as the Repugnant party thinks Trump can win, there is no chance they could drop him. And now that Biden has been Comeyed by Hur, I don’t think Trump could lose.

The Comey thing was as powerful as it was based on its proximity to the election. The Hur thing will be forgotten by the election.

Biden’s being old will not disappear, and it’s a genuine weakness for our side. But Biden will still beat Trump by a wide margin if the latter is the GOP nominee.

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**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\
**Post date:** [February 13, 2024, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-wont-be-the-republican-party-nominee-in-2024/996834/233 "2024-02-13T02:50:18Z")

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> [@Aeschines](#):
>
> It’s the _other_ media–the ones that can influence “independents,” etc.–that worry Republicans.

Still disagree, sorry. One, while many people identify to media or in voting as independents, in my experience and in many analysis, they have very definitive “leans”. If you lean left, you see it all, and either believe it, or suspect it’s slightly exaggerated, possibly dismissing it.

If you lean right, you’re likely mostly watching Fox News anyway, and after a while, it informs your worldview. Or, if you work hard, you watch say Fox News and CNN, and figure the reality is “somewhere in the middle” which pushes things FAR to the right, as CNN at least tries for some impartiality while Fox doesn’t really bother.

For that matter, while -Republicans- want to be in power, MAGA types almost certainly prefer to be a part of a large minority! That way they can rail against everything (D) and anyone (R) that isn’t part of the team as not being “hard enough” on their issues, and don’t have to accomplish a single damn thing. And the voters that love them for it will funnel money into their cause.

See all the flailing over the last 8ish years where and when the (R) team has a majority, they can’t get shit done or actively kick each other when they’re down. Because since at -least- Obama’s era, they abandoned most of their platform in favor of negation. Now all they can be is ANTI (something). Thus the torpedoing of the recent immigration/border legislation, because if they had let it pass, then they wouldn’t have something to campaign AGAINST.

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**Author:** ![Aeschines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aeschines/32/16251_2.png) [@Aeschines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aeschines)\
**Post date:** [February 13, 2024, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-wont-be-the-republican-party-nominee-in-2024/996834/234 "2024-02-13T03:09:34Z")

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> [@ParallelLines](#):
>
> One, while many people identify to media or in voting as independents, in my experience and in many analysis, they have very definitive “leans”.

I agree, which is why I put “independent” in quotes, as it is paying them a kind of compliment they don’t deserve. Even so, we know a substantial percentage of voters _can_ be influenced; otherwise, either the GOP or Dems would win all the time, which we know is _not_ the case. The GOP has not had a good election year since 2016, and I’m sure they are not enjoying their failure.

> [@](#):
>
> For that matter, while -Republicans- want to be in power, MAGA types almost certainly prefer to be a part of a large minority! That way they can rail against everything (D) and anyone (R) that isn’t part of the team as not being “hard enough” on their issues, and don’t have to accomplish a single damn thing. And the voters that love them for it will funnel money into their cause.

Think about it–it’s the opposite! The spineless GOP pols are the ones who prefer to be in the minority, grifting off that status. The MAGAs actually want Trump to be their Hitler and rule as a dictator.

> [@](#):
>
> Now all they can be is ANTI (something). Thus the torpedoing of the recent immigration/border legislation, because if they had let it pass, then they wouldn’t have something to campaign AGAINST.

This is correct, which is another reason why they are actually not a great fit with would-be-dictator Trump. They are not able to grift off of their minority status when he is wearing the glowing neon ermine of God-Emperor.

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**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\
**Post date:** [February 13, 2024, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-wont-be-the-republican-party-nominee-in-2024/996834/235 "2024-02-13T03:12:39Z")

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I suspect we’ll have to agree to disagree. Hopefully if you’re right and Trump isn’t the candidate in 2024, the backlash will result in a solid (D) down ticket and we can take some steps to shore up our democracy.

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**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\
**Post date:** [February 13, 2024, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-wont-be-the-republican-party-nominee-in-2024/996834/236 "2024-02-13T03:31:54Z")

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> [@Aeschines](#):
>
> I clearly see them like everyone here as spineless, worthless sludge, but the difference lies in my perception that they will go the route of self-preservation and ditch Trump in the near future.

That’s fair. I completely disagree with you, but we’ve both made our points and obviously have radically different perceptions of the situation. I guess all we can do is wait and see.

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**Author:** ![Aeschines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aeschines/32/16251_2.png) [@Aeschines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aeschines)\
**Post date:** [February 13, 2024, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-wont-be-the-republican-party-nominee-in-2024/996834/237 "2024-02-13T03:33:21Z")

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> [@ParallelLines](#):
>
> I suspect we’ll have to agree to disagree. Hopefully if you’re right and Trump isn’t the candidate in 2024, the backlash will result in a solid (D) down ticket and we can take some steps to shore up our democracy.

Don’t get me wrong, I think Trump being the nominee will put us D’s in a much better position to fight against the GOP. Which is one reason, ultimately, why I think the GOP will choose Haley.

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**Author:** ![Aeschines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aeschines/32/16251_2.png) [@Aeschines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aeschines)\
**Post date:** [February 13, 2024, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-wont-be-the-republican-party-nominee-in-2024/996834/238 "2024-02-13T03:34:24Z")

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Yes. I by no means find the opposing POV to be absurd, and we will see.

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**Author:** ![Aeschines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aeschines/32/16251_2.png) [@Aeschines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aeschines)\
**Post date:** [February 23, 2024, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-wont-be-the-republican-party-nominee-in-2024/996834/239 "2024-02-23T02:36:43Z")

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The ball of shit keeps on getting shittier:

> **[Trump's Love of Money Will be the GOP's Downfall \[Updated\]](https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2024/2/22/2225060/-Trump-s-Love-of-Money-Will-be-the-GOP-s-Downfall?pm_campaign=front_page&pm_source=trending&pm_medium=web)**
>
> From today’s The Bulwark by Bill Kristol and Andrew Egger (scroll down a bit): Breaking the Bank We’ve all gotten more or less used to Donald Trump’s robbing his supporters blind with deceptive, aggressive fundraising tactics and using the millions...

> [@](#):
>
> Republicans went along or were dragged along with Trump because they feared what his MAGA hordes could do to them if they didn’t. They want to win (or steal) elections. Trump’s insatiable greed and need that other people pay his debts and bills is not only threatening his own return to office, it’s threatening their hold on power as well.

Trump is like a certain kind of significant other. You’re super into them, and you love to bang them, but then, oh dear, you learn that they have problems dealing with other people. A ton of exes that they bad-mouth, a string of broken friendships, that kind of thing. Oh well, uh, that’s all kind of a matter of opinion anyway, plus they have a lot of friends who’d do anything for them. Carry on! But wait… They’ve got some “reckless endangerment” citations, they’re on probation, from time to time they drive on their suspended license. But oh, it also turns out their record includes fraud, shoplifting, and even assault and battery. Hmm, now you’re really considering whether to stay in this thing. But the SEX, holy shit! Carry on, I guess… No, definitely, carry ON! But, uh oh, they’re also fucking BROKE, oh fuck, and they’re not paying the rent they said they’d pay and, Oh hon, can I borrow a couple Benjamins to pay my probation fees and get a HAMBERDER?!

Hmm, maybe you can go without for a bit…

So yeah. It’s one thing if this guy is going to help you win or, contrariwise, make sure you lose if you don’t suck up to him. It’s another thing if he’s in legal trouble, but there’s the upside of thumbing your nose at the libs: “Rool of law, haha, fuck that!” But now that he’s going to drain the coffers and make everyone else go broke and cry?

I don’t think it’s gonna work out for him!

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**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\
**Post date:** [February 23, 2024, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-wont-be-the-republican-party-nominee-in-2024/996834/240 "2024-02-23T03:54:29Z")

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Trump should sue the RNC (and GOP donors) for aiding and enabling his crimes.

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