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Has Trump lost control of his own party?
Description
Beside Trump's threat to eliminate Iran, something else remarkable happened this week. A string of Republican Congressmen finally found the courage in themselves to come forward and criticise that threat.
One of his old allies, Senator Ron Johnson, told a podcast that he was "hoping and praying that President Trump is, that this really is bluster." Another Republican Senator, Lisa Murkowski, condemned the post - saying it "cannot be excused away as an attempt to gain leverage in negotiations with Iran". Congressman Nathaniel Moran posted: "That is not who we are, and it is not consistent with the principles that have long guided America."
Trump's actions in the Middle East are an electoral disaster for his colleagues. Gas prices are up, the affordability agenda is in tatters, and America looks on course for a humiliating military defeat to an old adversary. Is this the catalyst for widespread rebellion in the GOP as his colleagues start fighting for their own political survival? And is loyalty to Trump a luxury they can no longer afford?
Jon speaks to Marc Short, Trump's director of legislative affairs and then Mike Pence's chief of staff, about what happens now in this conflict - and to the Republicans in the midterms.
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