meta_pixel
Tapesearch Logo
Log in
Consider This from NPR

The Debate Is Over: Donald Trump Owns The Republican Party

Consider This from NPR

NPR

Daily News, Society & Culture, News Commentary, News

4.26.2K Ratings

🗓️ 13 May 2021

⏱️ ? minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

This week, House Republicans voted to expel Rep. Liz Cheney from party leadership after the Wyoming congresswoman repeatedly called out former President Trump's false claims about the 2020 election.

Republican Congressman John Curtis of Utah told NPR the party's decision had nothing to do with her opposition to the former President.

The fracture reminds Wall Street Journal Executive Washington Editor Gerald Seib of another era when Republican leadership tried to capture and control a growing political force: the tea party. Seib is the author of We Should Have Seen It Coming: From Reagan to Trump — A Front-Row Seat to a Political Revolution.

To take a short, anonymous survey about Consider This, please visit npr.org/springsurvey.

In participating regions, you'll also hear a local news segment that will help you make sense of what's going on in your community.

Email us at considerthis@npr.org.

See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.

NPR Privacy Policy

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

Hey, before we get to the show, we're trying to make this podcast better.

0:03.5

And we would love some feedback from you about how we can do that.

0:06.9

So to help us out, you can find a short anonymous survey at npr.org slash spring survey.

0:12.7

And that link is in our episode notes. It only takes a few minutes, and it's a big help.

0:17.8

Again, npr.org slash spring survey. Thanks.

0:25.2

One of the clearest explanations out there for what's going on with the Republican Party

0:29.5

came from Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina.

0:33.1

Graham, you might remember, was one of many Republicans who after the Capitol riot on January 6th,

0:39.1

Trump and I have, we've had a hell of a journey. I hate it the end this way.

0:43.6

Seemed to signal that his party's relationship with Donald Trump was at its ends.

0:48.4

All I can say is count me out enough is enough.

0:53.1

That was January 6th. Exactly four months later on May 6th,

0:57.7

Lindsey Graham was on Fox News discussing Liz Cheney, the Wyoming Congresswoman who was forced

1:02.8

out of Republican House leadership this week for calling out President Trump's lies about the 2020

1:08.0

election. I've always liked Liz Cheney, but she's made a determination that the Republican Party

1:14.0

can't grow with President Trump. I've determined we can't grow without him.

1:19.8

The Republican Party can't survive without Donald Trump. That's the message now.

1:25.6

Yeah, I would just say to my Republican colleagues, can we move forward without President Trump

1:31.6

the answer is no. Graham statement was notable for the way it laid bare a political calculation his

1:38.0

party is making. When you hear Republicans like Lindsey Graham talk about that, like we can't

1:42.8

survive without Trump moving forward. This is not about needing Trump as sort of the engine

1:49.0

to drive the Republican Party. Tim Alberta covers politics and the GOP for the Atlantic.

...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from NPR, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of NPR and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.

Copyright © Tapesearch 2026.