Someone who wants to know what direction the Republican Party is taking after losing the White House needs only to take a look at the conventions of right-wing activists and politicians and Donald Trump’s recent appearance to know what, at least for now, is not the direction: away from Trump. The ex-president has a good grip on the party; he controls what is believed and what is condemned. For instance, it is vehemently believed that the election in November was “stolen” and that Joe Biden is an illegitimate president.
In consequence, the Capitol riot happened because of the fraudulent election and is neither a serious crime nor an unforgivable sacrilege. It is to be feared that this is not the opinion of a minority within the party; Trumpism remains. For how much longer?
Initially, until the midterm elections in 2022. Whether Trump will still play a role beyond that remains to be seen. His flirting with another run two years later is nothing more than that: flirting. During that time, Trump surrogates will probably press forward in order to take over the “movement,” which is mostly a white nationalist one.
Trump himself does not want to start a new party; in terms of power politics, a split would indeed be foolish. Right now, a lot of people are still obedient to him. The Republicans who voted in favor of Trump’s impeachment are, aside from Biden’s administration, enemy No. 1.
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