In 1897, a newspaper in New York printed the obituary for American novelist Mark Twain. The only problem? Twain was in London on a speaking tour and very much alive.
When asked about the printing of the obituary by a reporter, Twain famously quipped, “the reports of my death are greatly exaggerated.”
For the last few weeks, the mainstream media and the Republican establishment have told us repeatedly that Donald Trump’s political career and his influence over the GOP is at an end.
RELATED: President Trump’s Farewell Speech: ‘We Will Be Back’
GOP Establishment, Media Want Trump Gone
Writing in the National Review this week, noted ‘NeverTrumper’ Dan McLaughlin said, “for the first time in five years, it is possible to propose or promote conservative ideas without having to go through or around Donald Trump.”
McLaughlin went on to note:
Trump’s influence will linger to an extent that is yet to be tested, but unless and until he returns to win another presidential nomination, his monopoly over the Republican Party — over its access to power, its communications with voters, its reputation and ideals — is broken.
This is far from the first time that the press has told us that Trump’s political future is at an end. Indeed, this is probably closer to the 100th time they have made this proclamation.
@ChrisRBarron Besides, the non-Trump wing of the GOP kept undermining the GOP’s and Trump’s chances of wins in name of country over party. Those Trump Haters got what they positioned to happen, so why are they complaining now that the GOP is out?
— Yossi Gestetner (@YossiGestetner) January 22, 2021
From the very first day he came down the escalator to announce his candidacy, to his attack on John McCain, to the floor fights at the convention, to the Access Hollywood tapes, to the Russia hoax, to the Ukraine hoax, to the first impeachment, and the list goes on and on and on and on.
The cycle of these stories is always the same. Event happens, event gets completely blown out of proportion by the media, establishment Republicans pile on Trump hoping to finally get rid of him, and in the end – Trump ends up just as popular, if not even more popular, with his base.
RELATED: Poll: Republican Voters Are Siding With Trump Over Mitch McConnell
Trump Supporters Can’t Be Tricked Or Browbeaten
This cycle of “the end of Trump” is no different than the first 99, and the outcome – much to the disappointment of Dan McLaughlin and the rest of the Trump Deranged – will be no different either.
Donald Trump will emerge from this “scandal” with an even stronger and more committed base.
Why? The answer, is actually not that difficult to discern. For Trump supporters, this isn’t about Trump, it’s about them. They rightfully see the attacks on Trump as attacks on them – and with good reason.
For all of the Trump hating conservatives who believe Trump didn’t accomplish enough, what exactly did the GOP accomplish under the leadership of Romney and Ryan?
— Chris Barron ?? (@ChrisRBarron) January 22, 2021
Since Hillary Clinton’s “basket of deplorables” comment back in 2016 up until today, the left, the mainstream media and the establishment GOP has orchestrated an unprecedented attack on the voters who support Trump.
Instead of focusing on policy differences with Trump, they have instead lobbed attack after attack on the people who elected Trump in the first place.
They have accused Trump supporters of being hillbillies, racists, xenophobes, bigots, and now seditionists.
CNN host Don Lemon recently went as far as to accuse all Trump supporters of being on the side of Nazis and the KKK:
“If you voted for Trump, you voted for the person who the Klan supported. You voted for the person who Nazis support. You voted for the person who the alt-right supports. You voted for the person who incited a crowd to go into the Capitol and potentially take the lives of lawmakers … You voted on that side, and the people in Washington are continuing to vote on that side.”
RELATED: Report: Trust in Media Just Hit An All-Time Low
It’s Not Trump They Hate – It’s YOU
By failing to focus their attacks solely on Trump, but instead choosing to attack his voters as well, every single one of these hyperbolic “scandals” fail to actually do long-term damage to Trump and to his brand.
Bush left the GOP in shambles after the 2008 election with a popular vote loss for McCain of 7+ (Trump lost by 4.5 point); only 41 seats in the Senate (GOP has now 50); 178 seats in the House (GOP has now 212) and an approval of 29% (Trump left at 41% in RCP). https://t.co/v0HsPAcuRV
— Yossi Gestetner (@YossiGestetner) January 22, 2021
Indeed, these “scandals” have quite the opposite effect, serving only to deepen and harden Trump’s support among his base.
The reports of Donald Trump’s political demise are greatly exaggerated, and the mainstream media, the left and the establishment of the Republican Party can thank themselves for keeping Trump’s brand and power intact.
