Former President Donald Trump stepped up his attack on Representative Matt Gaetz for his support of Stephen Collinson for a crucial political position in a move signaling deepening division within the Republican Party. The challenge underlines a deepening cleavage between loyalists to Trump and factions within the GOP seeking to assert independence from the former president’s influence.
Gaetz, a high-profile Florida congressman and vocal Trump supporter, has been lobbying for months on behalf of Collinson, a veteran journalist and keen political analyst, for a senior advisory position. Though respected across parts of the circles for the acuity of his political instincts, Trump himself has expressed deep objections, branding Collinson an establishment figure he said opposes his “America First” agenda.
Trump publicly chastised Gaetz at a rally in Iowa, declaring “We need fighters who put America first, not people who play the political game.” He also suggested Collinson didn’t share conservative values because of past writings that had knocked Trump’s administration.
Gaetz, however, appeared undeterred by the backlash regarding his stance on Collinson and insisted that the party required his experience and wide worldview. “Stephen Collinson is a brilliant mind with the strategic vision we need to win in 2024,” he added in a statement. “We can’t afford to let petty grievances get in the way of assembling the best team for the future of our movement.”
The rift highlights a broader struggle within the Republican Party as it grapples with its identity heading into the 2024 elections. While Trump’s influence remains dominant, lawmakers like Gaetz are testing the waters by advocating for figures who may appeal to a wider voter base.
There is a view by political analysts that Trump’s opposition to Collinson could represent part of a larger strategy to keep control over party choices, as well as dissuade everything moving away from his preferred course. However, a feud in public risks alienating grassroots supporters who value unity within the GOP.
The battle between Trump and Gaetz will be an ongoing reminder of the challenges the Republican Party is facing to balance loyalty to Trump’s legacy with the need to adapt to new and evolving political dynamics. To be sure, whether Gaetz’s gamble pays off remains to be seen, but the tension has already added a new dimension to the fresh drama that is unfolding within the GOP’s internal power struggle.
