Congressional Republicans are privately dreading Trump's return to the campaign trail
![Donald Trump](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8DJauCqTg8ZE5vwknmmrqi-415-80.jpg)
"They'll never say it publicly," Politico reports in Thursday morning's Playbook. "But Republicans in Washington are dreading Donald Trump's return to the stump, predicting his rallies will cause a major headache for the party as it mounts a bid to take back Congress in 2022." Congressional Republicans are privately relieved Twitter and Facebook banned Trump, Politico says, but the resumption of his rallies in June likely means he just gets a new platform to "spout conspiracy theories about the election and air his grievances," denying the party a chance to move on and attack President Biden's agenda.
"If we win the majority back in 17 months, it's going to be in spite of Trump — not because of Trump," one senior aide to a House Republican considered one of Trump's top congressional supporters told Politico's Playbook team, anonymously. "He will totally take credit if we win the House back — but it won't be because of him. This guy is a disaster."
A surprising array of Republicans say they would like Trump to fade back and allow a Republican with less baggage to represent the party in 2024, Politico's Olivia Beavers and Burgess Everett report. "Of course, most of them would sooner retire than attach their names to that opinion. As one publicly Trump-praising Republican lawmaker put it: 'I'd like to see a fresh face. I think we have a lot of them.'" Other congressional Republicans similarly pined, anonymously, for Trump's retirement.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
![https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516-320-80.jpg)
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Conservative columnist Matt Lewis, who isn't a fan of Trump, wrestled in The Daily Beast with how the GOP got to this "pathetic" point where groveling before Trump, swallowing both "primal desire for pride and honor and dignity" and Trump's abuses of their family members, is the only path to career advancement.
"I've had to bite my tongue on occasion to stay gainfully employed (and married, for that matter)," Lewis writes, but "all bets are off the first time my boss publicly insults my wife — or tries to have my family member murdered by a violent mob." And Trump isn't even their boss, he reminded elected Republicans. Apparently, though, "he's the alpha male, and the betas all cower before him. What we're left with is a GOP full of neutered opportunists — snowflakes paying their dues, biting their tongues, and hoping to retire with a gold watch."
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Today's political cartoons - September 7, 2024
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - football widows, meddling kids, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Smoking ban: the return of the nanny state?
Talking Point Starmer's plan to revive Sunak-era war on tobacco has struck an unsettling chord even with some non-smokers
By The Week UK Published
-
Crossword: September 7, 2024
The Week's daily crossword puzzle
By The Week Staff Published
-
When families cross the aisle against presidential candidates
In The Spotlight Tim Walz's cousins, Donald Trump's niece and nephew, RFK Jr.'s siblings: When it comes to running for office, blood is not necessarily thicker than water
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
'The Gish Gallop will certainly play a major role'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Will Kamala Harris give YIMBYs a voice in the White House?
Today's Big Question And can federal officials do anything about local housing rules?
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
'Americans have friends. We just never really see them'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Is post-election violence inevitable, win or lose?
Today's Big Question As Election Day draws near so does the prospect of a violent response, no matter the eventual outcome
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Who will win the 2024 presidential election?
In Depth Election year is here. Who are pollsters and experts predicting to win the White House?
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Why are Democrats suing the Georgia election board?
Today's Big Question Worries about 'chaos on Election Day'
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
'It's not supposed to be this way'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published