Has Donald Trump Been Betrayed By His Own Party?

Donald Trump’s bid for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination has been controversial to say the least, but it cannot be argued that Donald Trump has enjoyed a huge lead over the other GOP nominees. It now appears that members of the Republican National Committee are prepared to block his nomination if Donald Trump does indeed end up becoming the people’s choice.

Tom Ridge should be focused on trying to bring the party together rather than ripping it apart w/ your faulty thought process. I will win!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 11, 2015

According to the Washington Post, the RNC recently discussed the possibility of a brokered convention during a dinner meeting held by Reince Priebus, Republican National Committee Chairman. Apparently, if Donald Trump goes on to win the nomination, he may likely be thwarted by his own party.

The RNC is playing it off in a decidedly nonchalant manner. Spokesman Sean Spicer maintains this type of discussion is a natural part of the process, reports Bloomberg Politics.

“[The GOP is] neutral in this process and the rules are set until the convention begins next July. Our goal is to ensure a successful nomination and that requires us thinking through every scenario, including a contested convention.”

An anonymous attendee said the topic of a brokered convention should Donald Trump win the bid was a very small part of a meeting which landed on several topics, and should not be “blown out of proportion.”

Dr. Ben Carson, GOP presidential candidate who has placed both second and third in the polls, became a surprising Trump ally as he spoke out about how wrong it would be for any nominee, even Donald Trump, to be thwarted by the party. Politico reports that the retired neurosurgeon turned politician likened the stunt to theft.

“I will not sit by and watch a theft.”

“If the leaders of the Republican Party want to destroy the party, they should continue to hold meetings like the one described in the Washington Post this morning.”

“If it is correct, every voter who is standing for change must know they are being betrayed. I won’t stand for it. I assure you, Donald Trump won’t be the only one leaving the party.”

Strong words from a strong contender.

In response to the dinner conversation, Corey Lewandowski, manager of the Donald Trump campaign, shared some strong words of his own.

“The Washington Republican elite can sit around and discuss whatever they want, but the fact is the people out in the United States are going to vote and decide who the nominee is going to be. The American people don’t care what the GOP elitists and establishment say. They want a leader. I don’t think some of the people who live inside the Beltway have comprehended that.”

So what does Donald Trump think about the possibility of a brokered convention? Exactly what we would expect. As Donald Trump has said from the beginning, if he retains his top dog status and does not receive the GOP candidacy, he will likely run on an independent ticket. Though he finally pledged he would not do such a thing, if The Donald feels he’s been unjustly treated, all bets are off, so to speak.

Do you think Donald Trump will win the GOP candidacy? If so, will a brokered convention take place to thwart Trump’s candidacy?

[Photo by Charlie Neibergall/Associated Press]