Almost immediately after Donald Trump announced his candidacy for the Republican Presidential nomination in 2015, some conservative thinkers and leaders came out opposed to his brand of politics. At the same time, others within the conservative movement embraced Trump’s style. Ever since, a battle has raged for the “heart and soul” of the Republican Party.
Long-time Wisconsin talk radio host and conservative leader Charlie Sykes remained staunchly in the “Never Trump” camp throughout the 2016 campaign, watching with dismay the “crack up” of the Republican Party.
Nearly two years later Sykes has seen the ranks of conservative Never Trumpers dwindle, while the President’s supporters have consolidated control over the GOP, the party he once called home. Nevertheless, he insists that the policy and value positions of traditional conservatism are incompatible with the stances and style of Donald Trump.
This fight for ownership of the conservative movement in American has implications for everyone, not just Republicans. In this interview, Josh asks Charlie about fellow-conservative Max Boot’s book calling for conservatives to abandon the GOP and what the future might hold for the Republican Party after Trump.
