Trump threw GOP caucus into 'chaos' — and he likely 'loves it': campaign advisor

Donald Trump’s decision to push for a $1.8 billion “weaponization” fund to pay off his allies who feel they have been persecuted or prosecuted by President Joe Biden’s administration has led to a rupture between the president and the GOP caucus rank and file -- and the president is just fine with that.

That is the opinion of longtime conservative campaign consultant Susan Del Percio, who wrote for MS NOW that the timing and announcement of the proposal were no coincidence.

The strategic timing of the slush fund proposal is no accident, Del Percio wrote for MS NOW, claiming Trump is counting on coverage of Republican backlash and Democratic anger to knock his "horrific polling numbers" out of the headlines.

A Fox News poll last week put Trump's disapproval at 61 percent overall — with his approval among Republicans hitting a record low of just 80 percent, suggesting he is hemorrhaging support even within his own base, Del Percio noted.

Trump has no substantive response to voter concerns about the economy or the stalled Iran war, where peace negotiations remain deadlocked as costs skyrocket daily. Instead, Del Percio argues, he is deliberately manufacturing controversy to rally his base around retribution and protection of January 6 rioters.

The fund's legal and ethical problems proved too much even for typically cautious Senate Republicans. They unloaded on acting Attorney General Todd Blanche in an unusually frank closed-door meeting.

"It would've been nice if [the administration] consulted," Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) told MS NOW, offering a rare public criticism of Trump's approach.

"But here's the kicker — Trump probably loves it," Del Percio wrote, suggesting the president welcomes the division.

Trump's mishandling of the Epstein files, miscalculations on the Iran war, and disastrous economic management have created "dissension and frustration, even among some in his base," Del Percio noted. The $1.8 billion fund represents his attempt to win back wavering supporters through taxpayer-funded payouts to allies claiming victimhood.

The deeper problem for vulnerable GOP lawmakers is structural. Trump's base shows up exclusively for him, but winning Senate and House majorities requires support from non-MAGA Republicans and independents as well. The slush fund controversy exposes this fundamental tension: Trump's retribution agenda energizes his core supporters while alienating the moderate and independent voters Republicans desperately need to maintain control of Congress, the longtime campaign consultant elaborated.