Donald Trump constantly promises to spend money that he has no intention of spending, whether it’s in contracts he signs, pledges to help veterans and charitable organizations, or just money on his own campaign. So, I don’t believe this will actually happen:
Donald Trump is reportedly planning on bankrolling super-PACs that would oppose Gov. John Kasich (R-Ohio) and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), two of his former primary opponents who snubbed him during the party’s convention this week.
Bloomberg, citing one unidentified source, reported the Republican candidate’s plans to target Cruz’s and Kasich’s future campaigns on Friday.
The source said that Trump would be willing to invest $20 million or more into the project, which could involve one or two super-PACs.
Trump signaled such a plan in a speech on Friday morning, the day after the close of the convention, while blasting Cruz for refusing to endorse him in remarks before the convention Wednesday night.
It’s probably an empty threat, but it’s a threat nonetheless. And that’s just an odd way to solidify the base.
It’s clear that Trump is big into revenge fantasies, which further supports your theory about events around Cruz’ speech.
Sounds like an empty threat to me, too. But it proves yet again what a childish, vindictive snake Trump is. He probably won’t give up that much money now that he’s secured the nomination, but the sentiment of petty retaliation shows what he’s really made of.
I don’t think it’s just revenge. Trump wants iron control over the Republican party and is trying to eject anybody who opposes him, even mildly. If he wins (obviously he thinks it’s possible) he needs to be able to force the Republican party to do his bidding. All part of his fascist rulebook.
Iron control is not possible. There are too many power bases that in no way, shape or form are dependant upon the nominee (does anyone here honestly think that Coryn, McConnel, Inhofe, or Shelby give a flying fuck what the nominee can do to them … whoever that might be?). Not even Trump could believe he could do that.
Nah, these outbursts are just another petulant, 3rd grade diatribe against people who offend him.
Maybe he can’t do it, but he’s done pretty well so far, and that’s definitely his goal. Quite a few Republicans who gave him withering criticisms a few months ago are now singing his praises – including his VP candidate. And in fact, none of the people you cite are actually criticizing Trump at this point. Amongst current officeholders, there are few critics left – Flake, Cruz, Kasich, Sasse, Kirk, Baker, and Hogan are the only ones I can think of, and 3 of those are in deep blue states with unusual incentives for a Republican.
HuffPo reports that Republican donors are putting the squeeze on Cruz, too.
I think you are exactly right, and I shudder to imagine how effective this would be if Trump weren’t an inflated sack of nativistic bilefoonery.
He’s showing how far you can take the (much-mocked by the left) ‘Green Lantern Theory of Politics.’ And he’s doing it while attacking conservative articles of faith. (Bush didn’t keep us safe; McCain isn’t such a big hero; forget about NATO; forget about church; it’s okay to lust for your daughter.) If he actually had the money he claims, or hewed more closely to the conservative playbook, he’d already rule the entire Republican establishment with an iron fist. You step outta line, and he’ll attack you, via Twitter and SuperPAC and in every other way. Even if you survive, the next person will not step outta line.
He doesn’t know shit about politics, but he understands power. At least the grossest elements of it.
Exactly. Now imagine the sort of evil stuff this guy would do if he were actually in control of the levers of power.
Petty resentment has characterized this party for as long as I can remember.
Finally, they’ve taken off the mask and some have allowed themselves to rediscover their sense of shame.
It seems like it would be a violation of the Hatch Act. But in the age of the imperial Presidency, that would hardly matter.
President is exempt from Hatch Act, I’m pretty sure.
He loves money. He loves revenge. Who ever knows what the lunatic will choose to do? But he’s done so much damage to our country that taking down Kasich and Cruz on his way out seems like the least he could do.
Ya, just as soon as his team of investigators gets back from Hawaii to report on Obama’s birth certificate.
Morans. Millions of morans that vote for buffoons, meglomaniacs, etc. Trump is a symptom, and not a unique one, just perhaps a more flamboyant one.
This all comes from not having a well educated voting populace for starts.
You are right that Trump is a cheap ass, and he’s not going to waste any of his money on running for President. He’ll let the RNC waste their money on it.
But you underestimate him in one way. He likes to wreck things; he like to hurt people.
If there is anything he WILL spend his money on politically it would be to punish these 2 two. So son’t rule it out – He LOVES doing stuff like this. He thinks he’s Don Coreleone.
Good point.