Senior officials in the Republican Party are reportedly preparing a contingency plan in case Donald Trump decides to drop out of the presidential race.
ABC’s Jon Karl reported on “Good Morning America” today that top GOP officials are in a state of panic as it becomes increasingly clear that Trump’s promised presidential pivot is not going to happen.
“This is absolutely unprecedented,” Karl told ABC’s George Stephanopoulos. “First of all, I am told that RNC Chairman Reince Priebus is furious — that he has had multiple discussions with Trump telling him that he needs to drastically change course.”
He continued, “I am told senior officials at the party are actively exploring what would happen if Trump dropped out and how to replace him on the ballot….They can’t force him out — he would have to go out voluntarily.”
Karl explained that the 168 members of the RNC would then — through a very complicated process — pick a new candidate and that it would have to happen by early September.
This comes after several gaffe-filled weeks for the Trump campaign, and as he has refused to endorse both House Speaker Paul Ryan for re-election and Arizona Sen. John McCain.
“He is so unpredictable right now, they are so unable to control his message… they clearly think it’s a possibility,” Karl said.
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