Republicans Reject Trump Twice In A Week
Republicans have dealt a pair of stinging rejections to President-elect Donald Trump over the past week, a sign of how Trump’s immediate lame-duck status could limit his influence despite his enormous sway over the GOP’s most dedicated voters.
In recent days, President-elect Donald Trump has faced notable setbacks from within his own party, underscoring the challenges of his upcoming lame-duck presidency. Despite his dominance among core GOP voters, Trump’s ability to dictate the party’s direction appears constrained.
Two significant rebuffs illustrate these limits. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis resisted Trump’s push to appoint Lara Trump to an open Senate seat, while over three dozen House Republicans defied Trump’s demand to include a debt ceiling hike in a government funding bill. These moments signal cracks in GOP unity and hint at future challenges for Trump’s ambitious agenda, which includes major tax cuts and sweeping spending reductions.
Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) acknowledged the respect Republicans have for Trump but stressed practical limits, particularly on contentious issues like the debt ceiling. “Some things are simply not feasible,” Rounds noted, emphasizing the need for unity while recognizing political realities.
House Republicans’ refusal to meet Trump’s debt ceiling demand derailed Speaker Mike Johnson’s initial funding bill, prompting a standoff that ultimately left Trump empty-handed. Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) openly defied Trump, asserting his stance against increasing the debt ceiling without substantial spending cuts.
Simultaneously, Senate Republicans rejected scandal-plagued Matt Gaetz as Trump’s pick for attorney general, forcing Gaetz to withdraw. Even Trump’s threat of using recess appointments failed to sway GOP senators.
In Florida, DeSantis’ subtle resistance to Lara Trump’s Senate bid further highlighted Trump’s waning leverage. Lara Trump preemptively withdrew her name, and DeSantis remained firm despite pressure, signaling his growing independence from the president-elect.
Compounding Trump’s difficulties, his embattled Secretary of Defense nominee, Pete Hegseth, remains a source of contention within the GOP. Allies of DeSantis, who was floated as an alternative nominee, see this as another misstep weakening Trump’s position.
Critics like former Rep. David Jolly (R-Fla.) argue these developments reflect Trump’s diminishing influence as the GOP looks beyond his presidency. “DeSantis and others see Trump as a lame duck,” Jolly observed.
Adding to the complexity is Elon Musk, Trump’s close ally and top donor, who has secured key victories in budget negotiations. While Musk cannot assume the presidency, his vast resources could shape the GOP’s future well beyond Trump’s tenure.
During a speech in Arizona, Trump dismissed suggestions of Musk as a political rival, quipping that Musk’s foreign birthplace disqualifies him from the presidency. “I’m safe. He wasn’t born here,” Trump joked, downplaying the tech mogul’s rising influence within the party.