Republican Senator JD Vance's strong performance in the vice-presidential debate has solidified the dominance of Trumpian populism within the GOP, leaving the Never Trump contingent irrelevant.
Despite the hopes of Never Trumpers, former President Donald Trump's populist ideology has taken firm hold within the Republican Party. The vice-presidential debate, where Ohio Senator JD Vance outperformed Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, has cemented this shift, effectively silencing those who sought a return to pre-Trump conservatism.
Vance, unlike Trump, possesses a commanding presence and a knack for articulating Trump's message in a sophisticated manner, appealing to even those initially skeptical of the former president. He has embraced the four pillars of Trumpian populism: anti-globalism, border security, energy independence, and opposition to wokeness.
The Rise of the New Right: JD Vance Embodies Trump's Populism without the Excesses
In contrast, Trump's former vice president, Mike Pence, represented a bridge to traditional Republicans. However, Vance, with his castle-like stance, has erected a formidable barrier against their return.
Even among the rising stars of the GOP, the essence of the New Right, if not Trump's exact tactics, prevails. Candidates like Vivek Ramaswamy, Tim Scott, Marco Rubio, and Ron DeSantis embrace its key tenets. Nikki Haley, once a target of Democratic hopes, has recognized the overwhelming support for Trump's policies among Republican voters.
The Rise of the New Right: JD Vance Embodies Trump's Populism without the Excesses
The Never Trump movement, never truly about Trump's conduct but rather his policy priorities, now faces irrelevance. Their neoliberal agenda, once the backbone of the Republican Party, has been rejected by conservative voters.
Immigration compromise, global trade deals, appeasing environmental concerns, and avoiding discussions of wokeness no longer resonate. The Never Trumpers, with their moral superiority and sense of entitlement, have lost touch with the Republican base.
The Rise of the New Right: JD Vance Embodies Trump's Populism without the Excesses
Their options seem limited: either join the Democratic Party or face increasing marginalization. Their value as a counterbalance to Trump has diminished, as evidenced by Vance's debate performance.
The future of the GOP belongs to those who embrace the New Right, like Vance, Ramaswamy, and DeSantis. The fight for the soul of the party has ended, with the Never Trumpers relegated to the sidelines of irrelevance.
The Rise of the New Right: JD Vance Embodies Trump's Populism without the Excesses
