Trump Won’t Let the GOP Go Its Own Way so Easily

Last Friday, Jim chronicled what seemed like a coordinated breakout among the GOP’s office seekers as one Republican after another sought to establish their independence from Donald Trump. All that movement at the same time, and in one direction, struck Jim as too conspicuous to be attributable to individual candidates’ calculations. Well, he was right.

That same day, Politico revealed that the president had grudgingly come to terms with his unpopularity. He understood the imperative Republican candidates are observing as they sidle out from under Trump’s shadow. At least, that’s what the president’s aides told Politico’s reporters.

About the Author

Noah Rothman

Noah Rothman is a senior writer at National Review. His third book, Blood and Progress: A Century of Left-Wing Violence, was published by Hachette in May 2026.

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Last Friday, Jim chronicled what seemed like a coordinated breakout among the GOP’s office seekers as one Republican after another sought to establish their independence from Donald Trump. All that movement at the same time, and in one direction, struck Jim as too conspicuous to be attributable to individual candidates’ calculations. Well, he was right.

That same day, Politico revealed that the president had grudgingly come to terms with his unpopularity. He understood the imperative Republican candidates are observing as they sidle out from under Trump’s shadow. At least, that’s what the president’s aides told Politico’s reporters.

About the Author

Noah Rothman

Noah Rothman is a senior writer at National Review. His third book, Blood and Progress: A Century of Left-Wing Violence, was published by Hachette in May 2026.