Mediaboss Marketing

Facilitating the loosening of former President TrumpDonald TrumpGOP talking point could turn to Biden's 'underwhelming' Russia response House Oversight Committee opens investigation into New Mexico 2020 election audit Hunter Biden paid off tax liability amid ongoing grand jury investigation: report MOREs iron grip on the Republican Party are cumulative sets of actions and statements emanating from spheres of GOP influence. Meanwhile, elected leaders fear of Trump backlash and name-calling is diminishing signaling the post-Trump era has begun. Trumps unraveling is akin to a decline by 1,000 cuts. Lets examine it.

The players are prospective 2024 presidential candidates, officeholders, the Republican National Committee (RNC), former high-ranking Trump officials, a conservative think tank and a mega-donor kingmaker who owns a jet.

We begin on March 4 at the RNCs major donor retreat in New Orleans, attended by former Vice President Mike PenceMichael (Mike) Richard PenceThe post-Trump era has begun The Hill's Morning Report - Presented by Facebook - What now after Zelensky's speech? The Hill's Campaign Report: Democrats look for a reset MORE. His appearance proves that Trump could not prevent Pence from addressing this high-roller crowd. Indirectly, Pence spoke critically of Trump, saying, "There is no room in this party for apologists for PutinVladimir Vladimirovich PutinRepublican senators introduce bill to ban Russian uranium imports Hillicon Valley Invasion complicates social media policy Defense & National Security Blinken details Russia's possible next steps MORE. There is only room for champions of freedom." Pence boldly countered Trumps earlier praise of the Russian dictator he infamously called savvy and a genius in the war's opening days.

Upon leaving the RNC, Pence felt confident because he was embarking on a secret, potentially game-changing trip that could challenge Trumps supremacy.

On March 5, Trump also spoke at the retreat, generating news that will long be re-quoted. He joked that the U.S. should "put the Chinese flag" on F-22 fighter jets and "bomb the shit" out of Russia. You can imagine the audience gasping.

Later that Saturday night (but not reported until March 9),Trump was heading home aboard an unnamed donors plane when engine failure forced an emergency landing. The harrowing incident unleashed several news cycles of Trump plane drama.

Suspiciously starting on March 9, Trump supporters received an email solicitation titled "Update: Trump Force One."It stated, "My team is building a BRAND NEW Trump Force One," which appeared to be seeking donations.

Then watch Trumps airspace since he has lost altitude with that previously mentioned mega-donor kingmaker who owns a jet. Ironically (also first reported on March 9), Mike Pence had boarded the kingmakers jet bound for Israel and later the Ukraine-Poland border.

Here is why Pences trip could be perceived as a flashing red signal that the post-Trump era has begun. The plane is owned by Miriam Adelson widow of Sheldon Adelson a GOP donor extraordinaire who died in January 2021. Mr. Adelson was a casino empire multibillionaire, a personal friend of Donald Trump and the force behind the American Embassy in Israel moving from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in 2018. By the way, reportedly, the Adelsons contributed $220 million to the Republican Party during the 2020 election cycle.

Continuing her husbands legacy, earning Miriam Adelsons support is the political equivalent of winning the Mega Millions lottery. Is Mike Pence the 2024 lottery winner? Watch his airspace.

While in Israel, Mrs. Adelson, Pence and wife Karen prayed over Sheldons grave and dined with former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin NetanyahuBenjamin (Bibi) NetanyahuMORE. Then the Pences joined Samaritan's Purses refugee relief mission at the Ukraine-Poland border.

Beyond Miriam Adelsons financial resources, her support for Pence signals that Trump may not be a viable 2024 candidate, and that it may be time to move on.

Years earlier, Trump had been Adelsons golden boy. On March 13, 2016, a Hill headline read, Gingrich: Adelson signal is big for Trump. After Sheldon Adelson publicly endorsed Trump, the signal was that Trump had entered the Republican mainstream worthy of support by GOP elites. Former House Speaker Newt GingrichNewton (Newt) Leroy GingrichMORE (R-Ga.), an early Trump supporter, disseminated the signal. (Note: In 2012, Adelson contributed $20 million to keep Gingrichs presidential campaign afloat.)

Although Pence was aboard Miriam Adelsons plane and is likely a contributor to Pences advocacy groups recent $10 million ad buy against House Democrats Mrs. Adelson alone can not usher in the post-Trump era.

Suffice it to say, the Russia-Ukraine war has weakened Trump with self-inflicted wound-like statements and his previous anti-NATO stance while emboldening GOP leaders to denounce the twice-impeached former president. Then, on cue, a name-calling bombshell dropped on Saturday night after a Trump rally in South Carolina.

Continuing his feud with Trump, Rep.Tom Rice(R-S.C.) called the former president a would-be tyrant. At the rally, Trump was harder on President BidenJoe BidenRepublican senators introduce bill to ban Russian uranium imports Energy & Environment Ruling blocking climate accounting metric halted Fauci says officials need more than .5B for COVID-19 response MORE than on Putin. Trumps harshest words for the ruthless dictator were, Hes driven to put it together. It [the invasion] shouldve never of happened if he respected our president.

Also from the House was the recent headline, McCarthy breaks with Trump on Putin: Russian leader not 'savvy,' 'genius.' That was uncharacteristically anti-Trump criticism from House Minority LeaderKevin McCarthyKevin McCarthyHouse eyes advantages of proxy voting beyond pandemic The post-Trump era has begun Zelensky challenges conscience of Congress MORE (R-Calif.). Usually, he courts and counts on Trumps support (dreaming of his future title House Speaker McCarthy should the GOP win control of the House in the midterm elections).

In another cut, Trumps social media app Truth Social is underperforming and off to a rocky start even Trump is not an active user.

And like sharks smelling blood while circling the waters of Mar-a-Lago, there are an increasing number of 2024 anti-Trump presidential candidates who are envisioning a primary challenge. Furthermore, many highly touted Trump-endorsed primary candidates are struggling with fundraising and momentum.

Then last week, in what was a blatant Trump snub, the prestigious conservative American Enterprise Institute did not invite him to its annual World Forum attended by other GOP leaders.

And dont forget the blow-up with his former Attorney General William BarrBill BarrThe post-Trump era has begun Democrats urge DOJ to address 'insider threats' from candidates who deny 2020 results Barr says dealing with Trump, advisers like 'wrestling an alligator' MORE, prompting Trump to send a childish name-calling letter to NBC's Lester Holt after Holt interviewed Barr. The letter is a window into Trumps mindset.

Besides all the cuts, the most severe knife wounds could result from various legal actions pending in New York and Georgia. Most watched will be the House Jan. 6 committees conclusions and ultimately whether Attorney General Merrick GarlandMerrick GarlandGOP senators seek probe of 'egregious' conditions at NJ nursing home The post-Trump era has begun Biden signs reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act MORE indicts Trump for criminal conspiracy or defangs the politically explosive matter.

The post-Trump era has been born (though Donald still rocks the cradle).

Myra Adams writes about politics and religion for numerous publications. She is a RealClearPolitics contributorand served on the creative team of two GOP presidential campaigns in 2004 and 2008. Follow her on Twitter @MyraKAdams.

View post:
The post-Trump era has begun | TheHill - The Hill