GOP at a Crossroads: Republicans Jockey for Power as Trump's Era Winds Down

The certainty that Donald Trump’s presidency will end in January 2029 is already prompting turbulence inside the Republican Party. Once the undisputed center of gravity for GOP politics, Trump now faces open dissent from lawmakers and activists who are laying groundwork for a post‑Trump future. Recent clashes over the release of the so‑called Epstein files, disputes about anti‑Semitism, and disagreements over economic policy reveal a party negotiating its identity as it approaches the 2028 primary season.

Fractures within the MAGA coalition

Some formerly loyal allies are openly breaking with Trump. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene—once a fervent supporter—has pushed for the release of the Epstein documents and publicly sparred with the president, who labeled her "Marjorie 'Traitor' Greene." Greene has also criticized Trump on foreign policy and domestic priorities, arguing that he is violating an "America First" impulse by traveling too frequently and by supporting actions she opposes.

Other divisions run deeper. The controversy around Tucker Carlson’s interview with white nationalist Nick Fuentes exposed a split over how to police extremism and anti‑Semitism in conservative media. Kevin Roberts, president of the Heritage Foundation, stirred further debate by defending Carlson’s editorial judgment, a stance that led to board resignations and highlighted Heritage’s ongoing repositioning from a Reagan‑era policy shop toward a more Trump‑oriented posture.

Ideas and personalities vying for the future

Intellectual and policy fault lines are also evident. MAGA‑style economic prescriptions—protectionism, stricter immigration controls, and an activist industrial policy—remain influential but are not yet settled Republican doctrine and could ebb after Trump leaves the stage. Rod Dreher and other observers have warned about the mainstreaming of fringe views among younger staffers in Washington, while commentators such as Christopher Rufo argue that a single unifying figure could still cohere the coalition.

Several figures are already positioning themselves. Senator Ted Cruz has adopted a selective strategy: he criticizes anti‑Semitism and warns against tariffs while publicly praising Trump to avoid sustained retaliation. J.D. Vance is frequently mentioned by conservatives as a potential unifier who might bridge nostalgia‑driven traditionalists and pro‑tech populists, though he lacks Trump’s singular charismatic hold on the base.

Leadership, legacy, and the stakes for 2028

Trump has at times both encouraged and constrained these jockeying moves. Though he has displayed Trump 2028 merchandise in the Oval Office, he has acknowledged constitutional limits on a third term, saying, "it's pretty clear: I'm not allowed to run." That concession, however, does not erase his ability to influence the 2028 primary or to punish dissenters within the party.

Political memory offers a warning: after Lyndon Johnson withdrew from the 1968 race, he still cast a long shadow over his party and its nominee, contributing to a damaging split. A similar GOP rupture over foreign policy, trade, or party identity in 2028 could be equally consequential.

For now, the Republican Party looks less like a monolith and more like a coalition in transition. The next 18 months will likely determine whether a new consensus emerges or whether competing factions split the party and reshape its trajectory heading into the next presidential election.

Notable sources and commentators referenced include Mark Leibovich, George Packer, Christopher Rufo, and Rod Dreher.