What does Donald Trump do when he’s faced with criticism from his own party? Why, criticize them right back, of course.
On Thursday afternoon, the conservative journal National Review unveiled a special issue denouncing the candidacy of GOP frontrunner Donald Trump. The issue features short essays from 22 thought-leaders across the conservative spectrum arguing against Trump’s nomination (and is fittingly titled “Conservatives Against Trump”).
National Review is a failing publication that has lost it's way. It's circulation is way down w its influence being at an all time low. Sad!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 22, 2016
Very few people read the National Review because it only knows how to criticize, but not how to lead.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 22, 2016
The late, great, William F. Buckley would be ashamed of what had happened to his prize, the dying National Review!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 22, 2016
To understand Trump’s outrage, it helps to read some snippets of from the National Review mini-essays:
From political commentator Glenn Beck:
Sure, Trump’s potential primary victory would provide Hillary Clinton with the easiest imaginable path to the White House. But it’s far worse than that. If Donald Trump wins the Republican nomination, there will once again be no opposition to an ever-expanding government.
From David Boaz, the EVP of the Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank:
He’s effectively vowing to be an American Mussolini, concentrating power in the Trump White House and governing by fiat. It’s a vision to make the last 16 years of executive abuse of power seem modest.
From David McIntosh, president of conservative nonprofit, Club for Growth.
Donald Trump is no conservative. He’s a populist whose theme is: Our government is broken, and I’ll fix it.
As a result of the issue, the Review‘s co-sponsorship of a GOP debate next month has been revoked by the Republican National Committee, leading to what is an essentially “aha!” Tweet by Trump.
The failing @NRO National Review Magazine has just been informed by the Republican National Committee that they cannot participate in debate
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 22, 2016
What will the Donald do next?