Trump Is the Poison His Party Concocted

Timothy Egan, writing for The New York Times:

Trump is a byproduct of all the toxic elements Republicans have thrown into their brew over the last decade or so — from birtherism to race-based hatred of immigrants, from nihilists who shut down government to elected officials who shout “You lie!” at their commander in chief.

It was fine when all this crossing-of-the-line was directed at President Obama or other Democrats. But now that the ugliness is intramural, Trump has forced party leaders to decry something they have not only tolerated, but encouraged.

Anybody who tries to tell you that Donald Trump doesn’t represent Republicans or Republican values—is a Republican.

And they’re terrified right now.

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