I could write a book about Donald Trump’s questionable campaign decisions, but I’d rather not. I will, however, call them out when they happen. Why? Frankly, as he is the only candidate with a viable path to the nomination, I want him not just to win but to destroy Joe Biden in November. To do that, he can’t make mistakes. He needs to run a disciplined campaign, and unfortunately, time and time again, he proves he can't.
This week, Trump warned Nikki Haley donors in a post on Truth Social that they won't be "allowed" to join the "MAGA camp" if he wins the nomination.
"Nikki ‘Birdbrain’ Haley is very bad for the Republican Party and, indeed, our Country. Her False Statements, Derogatory Comments, and Humiliating Public Loss, is demeaning to True American Patriots,” his post began. "Her anger should be aimed at her Third Rate Political Consultants and, more importantly, Crooked Joe Biden and those that are destroying our Country - NOT THE PEOPLE WHO WILL SAVE IT. I knew Nikki well, she was average at best, is not the one to take on World Leaders, and she never did. That was up to me, and that is why they respected the United States.”
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"When I ran for Office and won, I noticed that the losing Candidate’s ‘Donors' would immediately come to me, and want to 'help out.' This is standard in Politics, but no longer with me," the post continued. "Anybody that makes a ‘Contribution' to Birdbrain, from this moment forth, will be permanently barred from the MAGA camp. We don’t want them, and will not accept them, because we Put America First, and ALWAYS WILL!"
For someone whose campaign is doling out lots of cash to cover his legal bills, how can he justify telling potential donors, “No thanks?” Further, the goal of any candidate in an open primary is to welcome the supporters of their primary candidates, not offend them by telling them they aren't wanted. This is not how you build a victorious coalition in an election.
Imagine if Barack Obama similarly insulted Hillary Clinton donors during their bitter primary. Maybe the PUMA movement would have gained some real steam in that case. Who knows? But when you're trying to get into the White House, you want to expand your base of support, not limit it.
"While Mr. Trump’s new threat about Ms. Haley’s donors was probably empty—politicians in close general elections tend not to refuse large contributions—his post reflected his fury at Ms. Haley for not dropping out and ceding the nomination to him as he, and many elected Republicans, seek to declare the race over," observed the New York Times. "But Mr. Trump’s warning ignored the fact that, to win in November, he will need to earn the support of many of the voters currently backing Ms. Haley—the independents and college-educated voters who don’t hold much power in Republican primaries but who will be essential in the general election."
Meanwhile, the joke was on Trump. Nikki Haley pounced on his threat and managed to raise $1.2 million in donations in 23 hours.
"Donald Trump's threats highlight the stark choice in this election: personal vendettas or real conservative leadership," Haley spokeswoman AnnMarie Graham-Barnes announced in a statement Thursday night. "Trump's scheme blew up in his face. The contributions to the Haley campaign are pouring in—proof that people are sick of the drama and are rallying behind Nikki's vision for a strong and proud America."
Trump needs to smarten up. Fast.
