GOP Rift Widens Following Trump Tape

By Autumn Pattison 10/13/2016
 Donald Trump has divided the Republican party to a point of no return, and the recent discovery of his admission to sexual assault has caused many of the party’s top names to disassociate themselves from their presidential nominee. The newest, perhaps most damaging blow came from House Speaker Paul Ryan, who said he “will not defend” Trump. The tape may have cost Trump the election, as it seems nearly impossible now for him to get the 270 electoral votes he needs to capture the presidency.

Republicans, however, are struggling to completely break away from their candidate, especially because they don’t want to lose control of the House and Senate. Trump’s performance in the most recent debate is causing many party members to put off a possible decision to completely jump ship. His answers about Obamacare and Supreme Court judges, and his attacks on Hillary Clinton reminded Republicans why they nominated Trump in the first place.

Republican National Committee chair Reince Priebus still stands by Trump, and defeated rumors that the RNC was ready to abandon the GOP nominee. According to Priebus, “nothing has changed”, and the RNC will “continue to work together to make sure [Trump] wins in November.” Trump’s running mate Mike Pence said that running with Trump was “the greatest honor of [his] life,”and also dealt with rumors that he would be dropping off the ticket. Many Republicans have called for both Pence and Trump to drop out the race, but they have both made it clear that they aren’t going anywhere.