Former Trump Aides Turn on the Former President, Endorse Kamala Harris at DNC
The second night of the Democratic National Convention saw a powerful display of dissent from within the Republican Party, as three former Trump loyalists used the stage to denounce the former president and endorse Vice President Kamala Harris for the 2024 presidency. This unexpected turn of events underscores the growing divide within the Republican party and highlights the Democrats’ efforts to attract moderate voters.
Key Takeaways:
- Three former Trump supporters, including ex-White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham, took the stage at the DNC to criticize Trump and endorse Harris.
- Grisham called Trump a "liar" and said he "mocks his supporters" behind closed doors.
- Other speakers, like former Trump voter Kyle Sweetser and Mesa, Arizona mayor John Giles, cited economic concerns and Trump’s policies as reasons for their disillusionment with the Republican party.
- These moves by former Republicans are seen as a significant strategic move by the Democrats to appeal to moderate voters.
Trump’s Former Aides Speak Out Against Him
The most notable moment of the second night was the appearance of Stephanie Grisham, who served as Trump’s press secretary for nine months and later as Melania Trump’s chief of staff. Grisham spoke candidly about her disillusionment with Trump, describing him as a "liar" who "mocks his supporters" behind closed doors.
"He has no empathy, no morals, and no fidelity to the truth," she stated, adding that Trump used to tell her, " It doesn’t matter what you say, Stephanie. Say it enough, and people will believe you. "
Grisham’s testimony echoed a sentiment that resonated throughout the DNC’s second night: a belief that Trump’s rhetoric and policies have led to a decline in American values and a dangerous erosion of trust.
Trump Campaign Responds
The Trump campaign quickly responded to Grisham’s speech, with campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung calling out Jason Miller, a senior Trump advisor, who shared a post on X (formerly Twitter) stating, "Grisham botched that speech. "
This reaction from the Trump campaign is likely a sign of their concern over the potential impact of former Trump supporters speaking out against him.
Disenchanted Trump Voters: Economic Concerns and a Search for Values
The DNC’s second night also featured Kyle Sweetser, a construction worker who voted for Trump three times but now plans to vote for Harris. Sweetser cited Trump’s economic policies, specifically his tariff policies, as the reason for his change of heart.
Sweetser explained that the tariffs led to increased costs for construction workers like him, contributing to his realization that "Trump wasn’t for me. He was for lining his own pockets."
Echoing Sweetser’s sentiment, Mesa, Arizona Mayor John Giles, a lifelong Republican, also endorsed Harris. He addressed the audience, urging moderate Americans to turn their backs on the current Republican Party, stating, "John McCain’s Republican Party is gone, and we don’t owe a damn thing to what’s been left behind."
Strategically Appealing to Moderate Voters
The Democrats’ decision to feature former Trump supporters at the DNC is a strategic attempt to appeal to moderate voters who might be disillusioned with the Republican party or its recent ideological shift. By highlighting the voices of individuals who were once staunch supporters of Trump and have now shifted their allegiance, the Democrats aim to demonstrate that the Republican party has moved too far to the right and that they offer a more inclusive and principled alternative.
The success of this strategy remains to be seen, but the decision to give a platform to former Trump supporters is a bold move that could potentially sway moderate voters who are looking for a change in leadership. The DNC’s focus on the values of truth, empathy, and unity, as portrayed by the speakers who have broken with the Republican party, presents a compelling counterpoint to the divisive rhetoric that has become synonymous with the Trump era.