Trump found a new way to keep Republicans 'groveling' for his attention: analyst
President Donald Trump could give Republicans millions for their midterm campaigns, but he's using it to keep them in line, an analyst said.
In a recent episode of "The David Pakman Show," progressive political commentator David Pakman said that Trump has raised $400 million in super PAC cash, but he's sharing almost none of it with Republicans ahead of midterms. The idea is to withhold it so the GOP seeks his approval, Pakman said.
"He wants to be the sun at the center of the solar system," Pakman said. "Trump has a super PAC sitting on $400 million. They've spent about $2 to $3 million helping Republican candidates for the midterms. That is a fraction of 1 percent of the money that Trump controls."
Trump has already had an influence on the elections, as his endorsements have led to Republicans like Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), and Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) losing their primaries.
"If you're a Republican trying to make the party more moderate after Trump, you risk being denounced as RINO scum," Pakman said. "This is the trap that Donald Trump has kind of set for the future of the Republican Party."
Pakman said that Trump is "hoarding" his campaign cash to get back at Republicans who wanted to release the Epstein files and oppose his war in Iran. He's "purged independent thinkers and just elevates the professional sycophants to fight back against what he sees as betrayal," Pakman said.
"Republicans need help in the midterms. They're probably going to lose the House. A bunch of winnable Senate seats aren't looking so good," Pakman said. "Having the money gives him attention. People coming and groveling and going, 'Please give me a little bit of money.'"
Pakman predicted that this strategy would play out all the way to the 2028 presidential election. Trump "wants to keep the would-be successors insecure and competing for his approval."