Donald Trump’s relentless and outrageous personal attacks on Kamala Harris are sending shockwaves through the Republican Party. Many GOP leaders are deeply concerned that the former president’s focus on Harris’ personal attributes, rather than substantive policy debates, is weakening their political stance and alienating voters.
On Monday, Trump briefly shifted his attention to economic issues, branding the turmoil in global financial markets as the “Kamala Crash.” This move initially sparked hope among Republicans that Trump might pivot to a more policy-focused approach. However, that optimism was short-lived. By midday, Trump was back to his erratic behavior, revisiting his controversial comments from a recent Chicago appearance. There, he questioned Harris’ racial identity and suggested that a prominent journalist should be dismissed, labeling her as “nasty” and unknown.
The GOP’s unease deepens as Trump’s focus drifts further from strategic policy discussions. According to Politico, Trump’s attempts to undermine Harris by questioning her race and intelligence are not only falling flat but may also be backfiring.
“This is what you would call a public nervous breakdown,” Matthew Bartlett, a GOP strategist and former Trump administration official, told Politico. “This is a guy who cut through the Republican primary like a knife through butter. This is a guy who pummeled a semi-conscious president in a debate and literally out of a race. And now this is a guy who cannot come to grips with a competitive presidential race that would require discipline and effective messaging. And we’re seeing a candidate and a campaign absolutely melt down.”
Don't Miss
An anonymous Republican strategist added that Trump’s attacks are inadvertently boosting Harris’ profile. “Democrats are racing to remake Kamala Harris from real life Selina Meyer into the female Obama—and Donald Trump’s lack of discipline is letting them,” the source explained. “Every day Trump swipes at shiny objects — attacking the popular governor of a swing state, questioning the race of his opponent, or battling cat lady comments by his VP—is a day he is letting Harris define herself on her own terms.”
Despite the concerns, a campaign spokesperson defended Trump’s strategy, asserting, “The president is pushing multiple messages at the same time. We can walk and chew gum at the same time on this campaign.”
The GOP’s growing anxiety underscores a critical dilemma: Trump’s inflammatory tactics are jeopardizing their broader political strategy and potentially empowering Harris as she charts her own path to the presidency.
