Republicans powerless as Donald Trump 'turns on his own party'

Republicans powerless as Donald Trump 'turns on his own party'

Donald Trump has 'promised to get down and dirty until election day'

Donald Trump has gone rogue and there's nothing the Republican party can do about it.

Outwardly, shackles-off Trump is not that different. In fact, it is hard to imagine the Republican candidate was ever restrained.

His behaviour over the last 24 hours has been pretty familiar - aggressive attacks against those who insult him.

As wife Melania once said: "When you attack Donald, he hits back ten times harder."

But now, and not for the first time, his own party is in the firing line.


America's top Republican is feeling the wrath, with Mr Trump calling Paul Ryan a "weak and ineffective" leader.

The Grand Old Party (GOP) is on its knees, with the failed Never Trump movement mouthing "we told you so" from the wings.

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Mr Trump's call for anarchy leaves Republican leaders in a tough spot.

His current tactic risks alienating those moderate and undecided voters who are crucial in maintaining GOP control of the Senate.

Officially pulling their Trump endorsements risks alienating the support of millions that he undoubtedly has.

The most obvious casualty of this battle is Mr Trump himself - hurling himself from the ramparts of the Republican party fortress and limping toward the finish line.

However, he is clearly deriving some satisfaction from hammering the men who tried in vain to tame him.

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His loyal fans love seeing him stick it to the Washington elite - the politicians who are everything their man is not.

But we know Mr Trump needs more than his dedicated fanbase if he stands a chance of victory.

Traditionally this is a time for a political party hunker down, to put aside any differences and focus on the goal of winning.

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Once again, Mr Trump is defying conventional wisdom in completely disassociating himself.

You can argue that its a face-saving strategy that gives him a good excuse for not winning - just like the line he has been peddling for months that this is a rigged election.

The temptation for the Clinton campaign is to sit back and watch as their rival crashes and burns.

He may be tanking in the polls but Mr Trump still packs a punch. He has promised to get down and dirty until election day.

A nasty tone could end up just putting voters off participating in the most vitriolic of election campaigns.