How Trump Transform GOP Into His MAGA Party Stronghold/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Donald Trump, once viewed as a party outsider, now firmly controls the Republican National Committee and GOP strategy. Grassroots activists and loyalists dominate leadership posts, cementing his “America First” and MAGA identity. With midterm elections approaching, Republicans embrace Trump’s vision despite internal tensions and looming policy risks.
Trump’s Hold on GOP: Quick Looks
- Amy Kremer’s Rise: From fringe candidate to RNC member and Trump ally
- RNC Leadership: Trump loyalist Joe Gruters elected chairman in Atlanta
- Grassroots Shift: Dozens of new MAGA-aligned members seated since 2024
- Historic Contrast: Outsider Trump once opposed by GOP elites in 2016
- Party Machinery: Now fully aligned with Trump and White House priorities
- Key Figures: Susie Wiles, Steven Bannon, David Bossie shaped infrastructure
- State Leadership: New chairs like John Wahl and Bryan Miller embrace Trump
- Internal Tensions: Debates continue over spending, debt, and military power
- Organizational Overhaul: Lara Trump, Michael Whatley, and JD Vance hold top posts
- Midterm Outlook: Republicans confident “America First” identity will endure beyond Trump
Deep Look: From Outsider to Party Leader, Trump’s GOP Transformation
ATLANTA — Nine years after being labeled a “con artist” by rivals within his own party, Donald Trump now presides over a Republican establishment fully reconfigured in his image. The shift is visible across every level of the party, from grassroots activists elevated to national leadership to the Republican National Committee itself, where Trump’s allies now dominate.
Amy Kremer’s Journey from Fringe to Power
Amy Kremer, once a tea party activist who ran a long-shot congressional campaign in Georgia, has become emblematic of the transformation. After organizing the rally that preceded the January 6 Capitol attack, she was elected to the RNC in 2024. In Atlanta this week, she helped elevate Trump loyalist Joe Gruters to RNC chairman.
“It’s Donald Trump’s party now,” she said.
Sitting presidents often shape their party’s leadership, but the GOP of 2025 reflects more than routine alignment. Nearly a dozen RNC members describe a movement defined by Trump’s populist nationalism, with roots deeper than his personal brand.
“This was not fly-by-night,” said Nevada GOP chairman Michael McDonald. “Trump woke up the party, and it’s never going back.”
Trump’s Rocky Beginning with the GOP
Trump did not start as a natural Republican figure. In 2016, rivals like Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz scorned him. His first administration leaned heavily on party stalwarts, including RNC chair Ronna McDaniel and chief of staff Reince Priebus, who once worked to block his nomination.
Early on, Trump bypassed party mechanics, focusing instead on media dominance. That detachment left him less engaged in the 2018 midterms, when Democrats regained the House. Yet loyalists around him—figures such as Steven Bannon, David Bossie, and Susie Wiles—quietly built state-level infrastructure, ensuring Trump’s influence outlasted his first term.
Grassroots Surge of MAGA-Aligned Leaders
By the 2024 convention in Milwaukee, nearly four dozen new RNC members had joined, most aligned with Trump’s MAGA identity. Twenty-one more were seated this week in Atlanta. Many state chairs reflect a new generation inspired directly by Trump.
John Wahl, Alabama’s party chair and the youngest in the country when elected at 34, says he represents Republicans disillusioned by “political correctness” and the old establishment. In Wyoming, Bryan Miller rose to state chair while Liz Cheney—once the state’s most prominent Republican—was sidelined for opposing Trump and endorsing Democrat Kamala Harris in 2024.
For Miller, the reversal of fortunes highlights how decisively Trump reshaped GOP identity. “Ten years ago, I wouldn’t have believed Liz Cheney would be unwelcome here,” he said.
Internal Disagreements, Unified Identity
Despite unity around Trump, disagreements remain over policy details. Florida GOP chair Evan Power admits some Republicans still prefer free trade orthodoxy and traditional alliances, but argues Trump’s confrontational style delivers results.
“People know his combative style is what wins elections,” Power said.
Kremer acknowledges trade-offs in Trump’s approach, such as rising national debt due to tax cuts and spending hikes.
“I’m not OK with it, but you can’t have everything,” she said, citing his hardline immigration stance as a priority.
Miller expressed caution about deploying National Guard troops to police Washington, D.C., but said he supports Trump’s strategy so long as “it remains within the confines of the law.”
Organizational Overhaul in Trump’s Image
‘Trump’s grip on the GOP now extends directly into party infrastructure. During his 2024 campaign, he pushed out Ronna McDaniel and installed Lara Trump and Michael Whatley as co-chairs. Whatley is now his preferred Senate candidate in North Carolina. Vice President JD Vance oversees RNC fundraising operations, creating a rare direct link between the White House and the party’s financial machinery.
At the Atlanta meeting, Gruters—a longtime Trump ally from Florida—secured the top post, signaling further consolidation. With every turnover in party leadership, Trump’s influence grows deeper.
Looking Ahead to 2026 and Beyond
Republicans express confidence heading into the 2026 midterms, despite Trump’s ongoing legal and political controversies. They argue his “America First” identity transcends his personal appeal, ensuring longevity.
McDonald insists the grassroots movement is bigger than Trump himself: “Working-class people bought into this because it was real. It will last beyond him.”
Still, the risks are clear. Policy tensions, ballooning debt, and questions over military power could resurface as political challenges. Critics warn Trump’s dominance alienates moderates, leaving Republicans vulnerable in suburban districts. Yet party insiders show little concern, describing his hold as unshakable.
Power, reflecting on Trump’s years out of office, said: “He sat in exile for four years and thought about what he could do better. Now he’s executing on all cylinders.”
With the 2026 midterms looming, Trump’s GOP shows no sign of reverting to its pre-2016 identity. For allies like Kremer, the transformation is complete:
“It’s not just about Donald Trump anymore—it’s the movement he built.”
You must Register or Login to post a comment.