'Total clown show': GOP insiders say party 'engulfed in turmoil' in 3 crucial states

Former President Donald Trump's bid to retake the White House in 2024 could potentially be hobbled by the fact that Republican state parties in three crucial swing states are, as NBC News reports, "engulfed in turmoil."

The most acute example is in Michigan, where even many Trump-backing Republicans have turned on embattled state party Chairwoman Kristina Karamo, who is vowing to stay on despite members voting to oust her from her position.

Mike Detmer, a failed candidate for state senate who lost a Republican primary despite Trump's endorsement, described the current state of the Michigan Republican Party as a "total clown show" beset by constant infighting.

He also warned that the party would have trouble getting itself ready to win in Michigan later this year.

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"Any candidate who gets through the primary really is going to be on their own, they’re not going to get a lot of the help and support that they may have wanted from the Michigan GOP because it’s in total disarray," he explained.

Another GOP operative told NBC News that Republicans are "basically just acting as if there’s no state party" in Michigan and added that, "We’re not planning on them being competent this year.”

While problems in states such as Florida and Nevada aren't nearly as extreme as in Michigan, they are facing setbacks given the rape accusation leveled against the since-suspended state party chairman in Florida and the indictment of two Nevada state GOP leaders for taking part in the Trump fake electors scheme.

Jason Roe, a former executive director of the Michigan GOP who was forced out after acknowledging Trump legitimately lost in 2020, said that "dysfunctional state parties" could hobble his party next year, although he did acknowledge such things could be overcome by outside money and organizing.