Donald Trump’s allies and top officials of the GOP are reportedly planning to stage an intervention to rein in the Republican presidential candidate after a disastrous 48 hours.
“The intervention is real, and overdue,” a source tells NBC News of a meeting meant to save the Republican Party from Trump’s campaign. According to the news outlet, those concerned with keeping Trump in check include Republican National Committee head Reince Priebus, former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich — all highly regarded officials who have publicly endorsed the former Apprentice host.
Trump’s campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, told Fox News on Wednesday, August 3, that the suggestion that an intervention is in the works is preposterous.
“The only need we have for an intervention is with some media types who keep saying things that aren’t true,” Manafort said. “The candidate’s in control of his own campaign.”
The controversial real estate mogul has been known to stir the pot with his unfiltered sentiments, but Trump pushed the boundaries on Tuesday, August 2, when he told The Washington Post that he is refusing to endorse House Speaker Paul Ryan or Sen. John McCain.
“We need very strong leadership,” Trump, 70, said in the interview. “We need very, very strong leadership. And I’m just not quite there yet. I’m not quite there yet.”
Trump’s rhetoric is reminiscent of Ryan’s own initial refusal to back the presidential candidate earlier this year.
The business mogul has also made headlines in recent days for kicking a fussy baby out of a rally, publicly feuding with a war hero’s family, saying that he’s “always wanted” to receive a Purple Heart but would prefer to be gifted one because it’s “easier,” and hinting that sexual harassment is “up to the individual,” among other controversial remarks.
On Tuesday, August 2, President Barack Obama publicly denounced Trump as “unfit to serve” in the Oval Office, and on Wednesday, August 3, ABC News reported that Republican officials are looking at options for their party should Trump drop out of the presidential race.
