What happens to the Republican Party if Donald Trump loses the election?

Question

Curmudgeon · Accepted Answer

He is term limited out, so what you are actually describing / asking is whether another Republican of Trump's nature will emerge or not. And the answer from History is - YES, but probably not from Trump's unique background, and probably with a different accent and cadence.

Let me explain: There has been a continual low key internal power struggle, even an internal "Civil War" at times, between two groups in the GOP / Republican Party:

1. The first group is more cosmopolitan, more prone to foreign intervention, more prone to building an international treaty structure and world order, the more accepting of a centalized Federal Government in DC. (Remember the "New World Order" phrase from George Bush the Elder? Yes, the Bush Dynasty Republicans very much reflect this first group viewpoint).

2. The Second and rival group is much more provinical, less prone to foreign intervention (sometimes even to the point of isolationism), more skeptical of building an international treaty structure and world order, and less accepting of a centalized Federal Government in DC, sometimes much less accepting.

The differences between these two groups were somewhat masked by the Cold War. Even the most isolationist of Republicans, in the face of a blatant Soviet threat, went along with foreign interventions and entangling foreign treaty alliances like NATO. And both factions generally will go along with foreign interventions when Israel is on board and/or wants them, like now against the mullahs in Iran. But after the Soviet Empire collapsed, these tensions and clashes have re-emerged.

The first group has been called "the Eastern Establishment" (because that strain of Republican came from Northeastern states often), "Rockefeller Republicans", "the Globalist Faction", "the RINOs" (Republicans In Name Only, because of their tendency to go along with Democrats who share their more cosmopolitan and more global outward looking view) and "the pointy headed intellectuals".
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rockefeller_Republican
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internationalism_(politics)

The second group has been called "The flyover country people" (because they tend to live in between the East Coast and the West Coast of the USA), "the cowboys", and "the rubes and hicks".

Some of these descriptions have been positive, some neutral, some decidedly negative, depending upon to whom you are talking.

Interestingly, Donald Trump, even though he is definitely a product of the environment of the first faction, has, with his rhetoric and his political stances, championed people from the second faction.

Examples in history of conflicts between these two factions:

1. Thomas Dewey vs. Robert Taft (1948): This one really was a Hegelian conflict, Dewey as Thesis, Taft as Antithesis, with the Ike Eisenhower Presidency emerging as Synthesis:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_E._Dewey vs. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_A._Taft

2. Nelson Rockefeller vs. Barry Goldwater (1964): This one was about largely about how large the domestic role of the Federal Government should be. And this one led to a bitter schism and an electoral defeat in 1964, then "Tricky Dick" Nixon co-opting both factions in 1968 and 1972 only to be entangled in Watergate, and ultimately to Ronald Reagan co-opting both factions again in 1980: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nelson_Rockefeller vs. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barry_Goldwater

3. George Bush the Elder vs. Ronald Reagan (1980): This one had a happy compromise. Reagan became President, Bush the Elder became Veep, and many of the Globalist approaches were adopted by Reagan, despite his initial rhetoric against them: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_H._W._Bush vs. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronald_Reagan

4. The Whole Bush dynasty and GOP Establishment vs. Donald Trump: What is going on now. People often do not realize how Trump prevailed not only against a Democrat Party that has gone "Woke" (sic), "Progressive" (sic) and culturally Marxist, but also against backstabbing from the first faction within his own Republican Party, particularly from George Bush the Younger and his brother Jeb, as well as various other "Never Trump" Republicans, like the late John McCain, Williard "Mitt" Romney, and others.

I won't put Wikipedia links here, as this is going on now and the history is not settled yet, and this post of mine is long enough already. But the point stands: within the GOP, there are two main factions, one more outward looking and cosmopolitan, the other more inward looking and provincial, and they now and then have "rumbles" against each other. And an instrumental tune comes to mind:

https://www.youtube.com/embed/ucTg6rZJCu4

Twalli · Accepted Answer

He can't legally run again. It really depends on whether or not MAGA is a cult of personality or not. If it's a cult of personality, it will revert to what it was with George W. Bush and Mitt Romney being the big names. It won't be the same. If you are referring to the 2026 midterms, that's not really him running, but he's campaigning for those he wants. There's a real chance we'll see a blue tsunami in November. The biggest change in government will be that a lot of GOP sponsored legislation and bills can't run roughshod over democratic opposition, because they lack Congressional majority anymore.

Kelley1 · Accepted Answer

It only means they are the minority party until the next election.

strawberryapple · Accepted Answer

If Trump loses the Republicans will be stuck with Obama again.

ohsheeT · Answer

This is his second year in his second term he's not allow to run again. It should be the same for the congress and the senate even lower it to 4 years for them

Not one of them has the balls to stand up to the puppet masters who run then and of course it's because of that mighty dollar they get paid

William7489 · Answer

If you’re referring to the midterm elections, more likely than not, he will lose the House of Representatives at least. I think that will effectively end the president presidency. It’s gonna be sad because we’re gonna have to deal with two years of log jams, hearings, impeachment talk, subpoenas investigations, that type of thing while things in this country just aren’t getting any better.

loveslongnails · Answer

Which election? He can't run again, and besides, he'll be dead in matter of a year more than likely. If you're asking what happens to the GOP if they lose the mid-terms, they've likely already rigged the outcome (a Trump-licker owns the voting machines being used in 27 states), or there won't BE any mid-terms.

Bklynbadboy12 · Answer

That party is done they had total control the could've dont something great and what did the do. Mass deportation out law abortions send the cost of living through the roof. Wow! Trump really made America great again. He promised no new wars he promised to lower the cost of living lies all lies

lightbulb27 · Answer

It moves back into the position of arguing, attacking, blaming the other side, and preventing them from getting anything done. same ole script as before.

AviatorTom · Answer

Trump will not run for any more elections. He's term limited to two terms. Are you really 17? Did they not teach you that in High School History class?

slatyb · Answer

We can hope that there is a big blue wave in the midterms, and then a reform movement within the party. Their base is shrinking fast.

HighValue · Answer

They laugh at all the ignorant democrats that don't realize it is his second term and he can't run in another election for president again.

worldscolide · Answer

he can't win another election. Please learn about the US political system before asking that. The us constitution states that a president cannot serve more than 2 terms

exitseven · Answer

President Trump cannot run for a third term. I think even a hsnd picked successor will not have the gravitas that President Trump has

Staximus · Answer

The election was over a year and a half ago. There's not going to be another until November 2028, and he can't run again because A US president can't serve more than two terms

permanentem · Answer

Donald Trump is the President of the United States, he's not running for any office.

Still-alive · Answer

What election? he's not getting a third term. But when he dies so to will his maga shit cult.

888theGreat · Answer

They are done for years. Democrats will dominate American Politics for next 20 years and people will hate Trump for it

Iron_Man · Answer

he won the election that’s why he’s president It’s meant to be my friend

Jerre · Answer

He is already serving a second term. He can’t run again.

Shiprex · Answer

They get their act together

Dargil · Answer

He is not running and cannot civics 101.

LiamS95 · Answer

HE WILL NOT LOSE

Jeff51 · Answer

He can't run again.

Snakeyes7 · Answer

He can't run again. He only gets 2 terms

beefcakebradybatson · Answer

Hopefully it vanishes !!!

noohair · Answer

Trump is not running.

Anonymous · Answer

Nothing, they just choose another candidate.

FenixG45 · Answer

They'll have to grow up.

Mike_Hum · Answer

um... about that

What happens to the Republican Party if Donald Trump loses the election?

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