Staff Reports
The distaste for the Never-Trump faction within conservative circles continues to fester as time goes on. A decade ago, many would have thought the Republican Party had a bright future under the principles of traditional conservatism. Yet, as events have unfolded, it has become glaringly clear: the Never-Trumpers are about as relevant as a flip phone in 2024. Despite their efforts to carjack the narrative, they fail to recognize that the party has evolved.
In the early days of Trump’s campaign, a substantial portion of the Republican elite clung to the notion that their brand of conservatism was the rightful heir to the GOP throne. They viewed Trump as a rude interloper who had no place in their refined club. Their apoplexy only escalated as the 2016 election swung in Trump’s favor, shattering their preconceived notions of how politics should work. Yet Trump’s victory highlighted an essential truth for many: voters were tired of the same stale rhetoric and craven compromises. Instead, they wanted a fighter who understood their frustrations and stood up to the ever-growing radical left.
A retrospective analysis reveals that the Never-Trump crowd failed to learn anything from the tumultuous political landscape over the last few years. Their vitriol towards Trump has blinded them to the reality that the American people, particularly conservatives, gravitate toward leaders who are unapologetic and confrontational. This brand of leadership is what propelled Trump’s administration to mark pivotal victories: a booming economy, historic peace deals in the Middle East, and criminal justice reforms that broke away from the traditional progressive narratives that had governed the prior administrations.
But the Never-Trumpers have been so entrenched in their disdain that they are willing to sabotage solid conservative candidates, such as Ron DeSantis, just to stick it to Trump. Their political machinations have often been less about ideals and more about personal grudges. Figures like Liz Cheney have sacrificed their political careers on the altar of anti-Trumpism, losing sight of what it means to represent conservative values while busy pandering to media elites who are determined to vilify anything related to Trump.
The Never-Trumpers aren’t just standing still; they’re actively sabotaging their own cause. They twist and spin narratives to fit their agenda, all while offering a lament that rings hollow in the ears of ordinary Americans. Recent actions from so-called conservative pundits reveal a desperate attempt to distance themselves from not only Trump but from success and accountability. Instead of holding Democrats accountable for real issues like the explosive crime rates and open borders, they choose to focus their efforts on attacking fellow conservatives for their loyalty to Trump.
The Never-Trump Crowd Is Insufferable https://t.co/xR3mNwba2g
— Michael J. Fell (@MichaelJFell) December 4, 2024
As the Biden administration displays sheer incompetence, it’s the Never-Trumpers who cling to their outdated mental frameworks, sidelining potential progress within the party. They fail to comprehend that the landscape has shifted considerably. The GOP has transformed into a robust movement focused on addressing the grievances of the American people. The era of quiet, apologetic conservatism is dead, replaced by a vibrant, action-oriented party that understands the art of offense rather than recoiling into defensive positions.
For conservatives who have embraced this evolution, the direction of the GOP is clear: be bold, be assertive, and most importantly, be in tune with the values of the base rather than the whims of the elitist left. The Never-Trumpers may wish to reminisce about a bygone era of political niceties, but the reality is that they risk fading into irrelevance as the party marches forward, unyielding and unrepentant.
