Donald Trump, the “kingmaker” of Cell Block D

| 10:30 am EST November 12, 2020
Dear Palmer Report readers, we all understand the difficult era we're heading into. Major media outlets are caving to Trump already. Even the internet itself and publishing platforms may be at risk. But Palmer Report is nonetheless going to lead the fight. We're funding our 2025 operating expenses now, so we can keep publishing no matter what happens. I'm asking you to contribute if you can, because the stakes are just so high. You can donate here.

The mainstream media has done a pretty good job of making clear to the American public that Donald Trump has in fact lost the election, and that he’s not going to somehow magically overturn the results. That said, the media clearly doesn’t want to give up its ratings-friendly Trump chew toy just yet, and so it’s spinning a tale of Trump either being a 2024 presidential contender, or being a “kingmaker” who determines the prospects of future Republican candidates.

Sorry, I just can’t stop laughing at this. Even when you set aside the fact that Donald Trump will obviously be in prison long before 2024, the notion of him getting blown out this badly and then having that much influence in the party is simply hilarious. Yes, a lot of people voted for him, but a lot more people voted against him. He’s broadly unpopular. His endorsement won’t be one that any Republican running in a swing state or competitive district would want to touch.

It reminds me of when Sarah Palin’s presence on the ticket caused John McCain to get blown out in 2008. The mainstream media insisted that this would somehow make Palin either the 2012 frontrunner or the Republican Party “kingmaker.” Sure, she had her die-hard base. But again, she was broadly unpopular, just like Trump. The GOP understood this, and by 2012 it was largely treating Palin like she never existed.

Donald Trump awaits the same fate. The media is just (wittingly or unwittingly) giving in to wishful thinking. Controversial politicians like Trump and Palin tend to generate huge ratings for the media, and so naturally the media hopes that they stick around in some form. But logic says that Trump is about to become just another Palin – the only difference being that Palin didn’t go to prison. Are we really expecting Trump to be holding rallies for 2024 Republican candidates from his prison cell? Come on.

Dear Palmer Report readers, we all understand the difficult era we're heading into. Major media outlets are caving to Trump already. Even the internet itself and publishing platforms may be at risk. But Palmer Report is nonetheless going to lead the fight. We're funding our 2025 operating expenses now, so we can keep publishing no matter what happens. I'm asking you to contribute if you can, because the stakes are just so high. You can donate here.