New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu recently shared his thoughts on President-elect Donald Trump’s impact on the Republican Party, and he’s not convinced Trump has permanently changed it.
Appearing on CNN’s State of the Union, Sununu, a moderate Republican, explained that while Trump’s leadership style is unique, he doesn’t think anyone will fill Trump’s shoes after his term. “Trump is Trump,” Sununu said. “There’s no ‘Trump-lite’ or ‘Trump 2.0’ coming. He’s been a known figure in America for decades, since the 80s.”
When asked if Trump’s rise has forever altered the GOP, Sununu firmly disagreed. “Oh no, definitely not,” he said. “Our party has always been diverse, with moderates, fiscal conservatives, and social conservatives. We’re a big tent, and that won’t change.”
However, Sununu did acknowledge that today’s Republicans lean more toward “hardcore” conservatism, as opposed to the traditional conservatism of the past. Still, he believes that at its core, the party’s principles remain the same.
As for Trump, Sununu admitted his personal preference in the 2024 GOP primary was for Nikki Haley, but he respected Trump’s win. “He won the primary and the nomination, and now it’s about delivering on his promises,” Sununu said.
After serving four terms, Sununu will be stepping down from office on January 2. It seems he’s confident that the GOP’s future is still bright, no matter who leads it next.
