Will some Republicans “breathe a sigh of relief” if Trump loses the election?
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If Donald Trump loses the November election, he’s unlikely to take it well. But should the election not go his way, will some Republicans be grateful for the chance to reset the party’s politics?
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In brief…
- Donald Trump has been denounced by a number of high-profile Republicans, including former members of his own cabinet.
- The News Agents say many more may disapprove of the MAGA politician, but are willing to “kiss the ring” while the election campaign continues.
- They say there will be a loud “sigh of relief” from many Republican officials if the election does swing in the Democrats’ favour, and signals an end to Trump’s time in politics.
What's the story?
Mike Pence. Dick Cheney. Anthony Scaramucci. Half of the former Trump officials who were part of his former cabinet.
Many key Republicans have publicly stated that Donald Trump is not fit for a second term in office, or have openly backed Kamala Harris for president.
Trump is campaigning against the Democratic Party in the upcoming US election, but is also facing stiff opposition from his own side of the political battle.
Former vice president Cheney, who served under Georg W. Bush, said Trump could "never be trusted with power again", and would be casting his vote for the Democrats.
Pence said he wouldn’t endorse Trump in 2024, but didn’t rule out voting for his former boss.
Trump said Cheney was "irrelevant". He called Pence "delusional".
But with significant numbers of key Republicans speaking out against Trump, are there more biting their tongue about their feelings on the MAGA campaign who would breathe a "sigh of relief" if he loses the race for the White House?
Why are some Republicans against a second Trump term?
There has been much discussion about how Trump has changed – or to some "destroyed" – the Republican Party, with his "Trumpian" politics.
During the campaign he has lied, shared disinformation and stirred up hatred against minority groups in his bid to become the next president.
But, The News Agents say, concern over Trump's behaviour and how it reflects on the party may now be focused on how he behaves after the November election – especially if he loses.
"It is a potentially dangerous moment for American democracy," says Jon Sopel.
"What happens – not just up to 5 November, but what happens after – about whether there is going to be acceptance.
"I think the chances of Donald Trump picking up a telephone and saying, Kamala Harris, congratulations on winning the presidency, I concede defeat, are precisely 0.00%."
The world saw this play out in 2020. Trump claims he beat Joe Biden (he didn't) and this claim ultimately led to the events of 6 January 2021, when thousands of his supporters stormed the Capitol building in Washington, leading to the deaths of six people, and 174 being injured.
But while it's almost certain that Trump will react poorly to another election defeat, this time around he has less power to cause unrest.
"Donald Trump is in a position to cause less mischief this time round than he was in 2020 when, of course, he was still in the White House," says Lewis Goodall.
"He delayed calling out the National Guard when there was unrest at Congress.
"He could have brought that to an end much more quickly. He had the Justice Department under his control."
But if Trump launches criminal proceedings into the election results if he loses, again, the changes he made to the US court system could still cause disruption in the name of the Republicans.
"He fired the Attorney General, puts in somebody more sympathetic, in the hope that they could alter the way the votes have been counted," Lewis adds.
"I don't think he's got that ability this time. But the courts are skewed very much in Donald Trump's favour."
What's The News Agents' take?
There's no question that Donald Trump is enormously popular with many Republican officials – and voters.
But, The News Agents say, there may be more disapproval among the party than we've seen already, as politicians toe the line until the election result is announced.
"The support for Trump is very thin in the people that really, really love Trump," says Jon.
"There are a few in the house, and there are a few in the Senate who really adore Donald Trump.
"Most of them know they need to kiss the ring because he is so powerful in the country and could end their political careers by saying 'this one is a bad one'."
If he loses, it could give the party a chance to reset and bring it back from the MAGA chokehold it currently finds itself in.
Jon adds: "Will Republicans breathe a sigh of relief if Trump loses? Hell yes. You'll be able to hear it across the Atlantic."
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