A warning claims Trump can bend everything to his will through political support and willpower. Senate GOP sources say Trump’s sway is lower than at any point in his second term, even as his influence in primaries peaks. The White House indicated Trump could veto any party-line immigration bill that lacked his unrelated priorities, including East Wing money and unrestricted use of his anti-weaponization fund, though a White House official denied sending such a message. The veto threat followed Trump’s involvement in ousting Bill Cassidy in a primary and endorsing Ken Paxton over John Cornyn, alongside attacks on the Senate parliamentarian regarding filibuster rules for East Wing security funding. Ending the careers of GOP senators is portrayed as not helping Trump achieve his goals and as further weakening his leverage.
"“No one should be doubting the political will that [Trump] has, the amount of support that he has - he's shown that he can wield it in many different ways,” a second White House official told Semafor. “No one should be doubting how he's able to bend everything to his will.”"
"Trump's sway over the Senate GOP is lower than it's been at any point in his second term, those Republican sources said - even as his influence in party primaries peaks. The White House had indicated to Senate Republicans this week that Trump could veto any party-line immigration bill that didn't contain his unrelated priorities, including the East Wing money and unrestricted use of his “anti-weaponization” fund, according to four people familiar with the matter. A White House official denied to Semafor that such a message was sent."
"That bold talk of vetoing a top priority came after Trump helped oust Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., in his primary before endorsing scandal-plagued Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton over Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, who's beloved among his GOP colleagues. The president also attacked the nonpartisan Senate parliamentarian for ruling that the East Wing security funding could be filibustered, a broadside that many senators viewed as a low blow."
"Trump's move to end the political careers of two GOP senators does not help him achieve any of those goals. He also took time out this week to ding Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa."
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