'Unhinged' Trump’s 'lunacy' will be GOP’s downfall if they nominate him: WSJ editorial board

In a September 22 rant on his Truth Social platform, former President Donald Trump angrily railed against Gen. Mark Milley — chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff — and implied that he deserves to be executed.

Trump posted, "This guy turned out to be a Woke train wreck who, if the Fake News reporting is correct, was actually dealing with China to give them a heads up on the thinking of the President of the United States. This is an act so egregious that, in times gone by, the punishment would have been DEATH!"

In a separate post, Trump wrote that Comcast and NBC should be investigated for treason and vowed to do so if he returns to the White House.

These posts have drawn widespread condemnation — largely from Democrats, although many Never Trump conservatives have been calling Trump out as well.

The Wall Street Journal's conservative editorial board aren't full-fledged Never Trumpers and have defended Trump in the past. But in a September 26 editorial, the board cites Trump's rants against Milley and NBC as prime examples of why he shouldn't receive the 2024 GOP presidential nomination.

"Donald Trump suggested the other day that Gen. Mark Milley, the nation's highest military officer, deserves execution — as in death," the WSJ board writes. "He said NBC should be investigated for treason and that the FBI should raid the homes of Senate Democrats. Then, he accused President Biden of being manipulated by 'the Fascists in the White House.'"

The board warns that these "unhinged posts" are the type of "lunacy" Republicans can expect to deal with if they nominate Trump in 2024.

"Some Republicans are feeling giddy these days because Mr. Biden is down in the polls, losing head-to-head even against Mr. Trump," the WSJ editorial board argues. "But many voters may have forgotten what it was like to hear from, and live with, Mr. Trump day after day."

The board continues, "As president, Mr. Biden gets more attention now, and Mr. Trump is ducking the GOP presidential debates. But if Mr. Trump is nominated again, his every word will get attention. That's the baggage Republicans will carry — and the reason Democrats think even Mr. Biden can win."