It seems the Republican Party might not always march to the beat of Donald Trump’s drum. At least, that’s what outgoing New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu believes. After serving four terms, Sununu is stepping down, and he’s not holding back about the future of his party.
In an interview with Politico, Sununu painted a picture of a GOP that’s more than just the “Trump show.” While he acknowledged the undeniable impact Trump has had, he pointed out that the cracks in Trump’s hold are already showing.
Signs of Change in the GOP
Sununu highlighted a key moment: the failed nomination of Rep. Matt Gaetz for U.S. Attorney General. According to Sununu, it wasn’t just Democrats opposing Gaetz—plenty of Republican senators weren’t on board either.
“Did Matt Gaetz just get pushed right out of his nomination? Yes,” Sununu said bluntly. He explained that while Trump still commands attention, some Republicans are willing to stand up and say, “No.”
This, Sununu suggested, is a good sign for the country. “It’s not the evil dictatorship that the liberal media was telling us it was going to be,” he added, striking a hopeful note.
Trump’s Unique Grip
But let’s not kid ourselves—Trump’s influence remains powerful. Sununu admitted as much, calling Trump “extremely unique.” He added, “There’s no ‘Trump lite’ or ‘Trump 2.0’ that can replace or replicate what he’s brought to the table, for better or for worse.”
What About J.D. Vance in 2028?
Looking ahead to the 2028 presidential race, Sununu had some interesting thoughts on Vice President J.D. Vance. While he acknowledged that Vance is in a strong position, he made it clear that no one will just hand him the nomination.
“There’ll definitely be a real, contested primary,” Sununu predicted. “If Vance wants to be a front-runner, he’s in a great spot. But he’ll have to earn it.”
A “Big Tent” Party?
Despite everything, Sununu insists that the Republican Party is still a “big tent” that welcomes a wide range of voices. Whether or not that’s true remains to be seen, but his optimism about the party’s ability to adapt is refreshing.
The Takeaway
Sununu’s comments paint a complex picture of the GOP—one where Trump’s influence is still strong but not unbreakable. As we move toward 2028, it’ll be interesting to see how the party evolves and who emerges as the next leader.
What do you think? Are the cracks Sununu is seeing just the beginning of a larger shift? Let’s talk about it!