Thursday 10 November 2022 05:20 AM 'Toxic' Trump is branded a 'disaster' by senior GOP figures for 'sabotaging' ... trends now
Republican strategists were licking their wounds on Wednesday as the post-mortem following the midterms began - with senior figures in the party branding Donald Trump a 'disaster' and accusing him of 'sabotaging' their expected cruise to victory.
Many Democrats went into election night dreading how bad their losses could be and pondering how to explain them.
By Wednesday, they had quickly shifted into day-after hoping that they could actually maintain a voting majority in the Senate, celebrating victories in key governors' races, and aware that control of the House was still not declared.
Trump has promised to make a 'major announcement' on November 15, but many are trying to convince him to reconsider the expected launch of his 2024 campaign, given how well his rival Ron DeSantis, re-elected as governor of Florida, performed.
'Between being Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis tonight, you want to be Ron DeSantis,' said Mick Mulvaney, Trump's former chief of staff.
'DeSantis wins tonight and Trump is not doing very well.'
Donald Trump on Wednesday was forced to deny reports he erupted in anger at the midterms results, which saw many of his handpicked candidates fail. He insisted he was delighted with the showing
According to The New York Times' Maggie Haberman, who recently released a scathing biography about Trump, the former president is particularly 'furious' that Oz lost - and is 'blaming his wife' for advising him to support him. They are shown yesterday leaving a polling station in Palm Beach
Piers Morgan, Melania Trump, Donald Trump, former NY Governor Eliot Spitzer and Dr. Oz are shown in 2013 at a book party. Melania is said to have encouraged her husband to support Oz in the 2022 midterm elections
Republicans were left grumbling about 'candidate quality,' with many pointing the finger at the 76-year-old former president.
'Never forget. Trump picked sure losers in winnable races,' said Gregg Nunziata, a former member of Marco Rubio's team in the Senate.
'He picked weak candidates in otherwise slam dunk races requiring the party to spend tons of money we'd rather spend elsewhere.
'Of, and speaking of money, he hoovered up tens of millions and barely spent a dime to help Rs.'
Scott Reed, a veteran Republican strategist, said: 'I mean, we had a historic opportunity and Trump's recruitment of unelectable candidates blew it for us.
'Trump's now lost three elections in a row for the Republican Party and it's time to snap out of this foolishness.'
Fox News' White House correspondent, Jacqui Heinrich, tweeted: 'GOP source tells me 'if it wasn't clear before it should be now. We have a Trump problem'.'
Donald Trump, pictured last night at a Mar-a-Lago election event, is being widely blamed for the Republicans' underwhelming performance in yesterday's midterms
Chris Christie, the former New Jersey governor and Trump ally, accused the former president of selfishly pursuing his own interests.
He blamed Trump for elevating deeply flawed candidates, who won their primaries but struggled in the general election.
'The only animating factor (for him) in determining an endorsement is, 'Do you believe the 2020 election was stolen or don't you?' Christie said.
'It's not, 'Can you raise money?'
'It's not, 'Do you have an articulatable vision for the future of your state or your district?'
'It's not evidence of past success in communicating to voters.
'It is a completely self-centered determination.'
Trump on Wednesday was forced to deny reports that he had erupted in anger at all those around him - including his wife Melania - over the losses.
Many of his high-profile endorsements lost their races - among them Dr Mehmet Oz, the television doctor running for the Senate in Pennsylvania, whose candidacy Melania Trump reportedly backed.
'I'm very
