ABC News Chief Washington Correspondent, Jonathan Karl, joins Preet to discuss his book on Donald Trump's resurgence in the Republican Party. Topics include Trump's influence on the GOP, his Georgia trial, and the denial of his motion to dismiss charges. They also explore the possibility of Trump returning to the presidency and the potential challengers in the 2024 GOP field.
Donald Trump's resurgence in the GOP post-Jan. 6 and the potential consequences if he returns to the presidency in 2024.
Ronna McDaniel's strategy to keep Trump in the Republican Party by threatening to cut off financial support and share his mailing list, shaping the future of the party.
Insights into the criminal cases pending against Trump, including the chaos within his legal team and how the special counsel team preempted their defense arguments.
Deep dives
Trump's Durability as a Political Force
Jonathan Karl discusses how Donald Trump has regained prominence in the Republican Party and has become the front-runner for the 2024 presidential election, despite the events of January 6th. He explores the possibility of Trump further abusing the office if he were to win in 2024.
Trump's Threat to Leave the Republican Party
After leaving the White House, Donald Trump considered leaving the Republican Party and starting his own. However, Ronna McDaniel, the RNC chair, convinced him to stay in the party by threatening to cut off financial support and provide his mailing list to other Republican candidates. This decision significantly impacted the future of the Republican Party and its ongoing embrace of Trump.
Criminal Cases Pending against Trump
Jonathan Karl reveals insights into the criminal cases pending against Donald Trump. He discusses a meeting between Trump's lawyers and special counsel Jack Smith, shedding light on the chaos within Trump's legal team. He also highlights the concerns and outrage expressed by a senior official from the Trump White House regarding the details of the indictment.
The Significance of the Presentation
In a meeting with the special counsel team, John Laro, one of the lawyers representing former President Trump, delivered an hour-long presentation outlining key reasons why an indictment in the case should not happen. Despite the professional and comprehensive nature of the presentation, the prosecutors did not ask a single question or make any comments. Shortly after the meeting, a superseding indictment was issued, but it was unrelated to the January 6th case. This suggests that the special counsel team had anticipated the defense's arguments and used the presentation as a roadmap to preempt them.
The Role of Loyalty and Payment in Trump's Legal Team
The loyalty of Trump's legal team members, such as Todd Blanche, is paramount to him. Blanche, who is seen as a crucial figure in the legal team, had faced intense criticism from Trump during a hearing. Trump's anger stemmed from the trial schedule clashing with the Super Tuesday primaries, which he believed would negatively impact the Republican Party's efforts. The incident highlights the pressure faced by Trump's lawyers and the tumultuous dynamic with their client. Additionally, the book reveals that delays in legal proceedings were due to payment issues, with lawyers requiring cleared funds before beginning work on a case.
How has Donald Trump maintained his hold on the Republican Party? ABC News Chief Washington Correspondent Jonathan Karl joins Preet to discuss his new book, Tired of Winning: Donald Trump and the End of the Grand Old Party. The two break down Trump’s resurgence in the GOP post-Jan. 6 and what he might do if he returns to the presidency
Plus, Trump’s Georgia trial timing and Judge Chutkan’s denial of Trump’s motion to dismiss based on presidential immunity in Jack Smith’s election subversion case.
Don’t miss the Insider bonus, where Preet and Karl talk about the 2024 GOP presidential field and whether anyone can effectively challenge Trump. To listen, become a member of CAFE Insider for $1 for the first month. Head to cafe.com/insider.
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