These guys don't mind losing to Democrats as long as they cash in. They won't mind losing to Trump for the same reason.
I think at this point Trump could also decide to pass the torch to DeSantis.
“but all those consultants and grifters will run away with millions in donor contributions, just like Jeb!’s did.”
You nailed it. All the Lincoln Project type grifters and parasites need a warm body. Pence seems to be too dumb to know they are just using him as such.
“I think at this point Trump could also decide to pass the torch to DeSantis.”
Which I actually think he might do.
Trump has some “quirks” that don’t play well among the more timid electorate. Personally, I like it; it’s unorthodox politics, which, to me, is a blessing.
But Trump unabashedly loves America, as did Ronald Reagan. If Trump believes America will benefit more by a DeSantis presidency, I think he’ll pass the baton.
If Trump had chosen to enter politics in 1996, he would have done so as a Democrat, almost certainly. But a little peculiarity got in his way. The fluke election of 1992, which levered Bill Clinton into office, was not because he was popular, but because H. Ross Perot siphoned enough votes from George HW Bush to shift the electoral college outcome.
Had Bush-43 finished his second term, then the time would have ripe and propitious for a Trump candidacy, which would have changed the complexion of the Democrats back to the more moderate stance they held before Jimmy Carter came on the scene.
It might have been a more congenial world, but as you know, people do SO much better in adversity than they do in prosperity. If they don’t have adversity in their lives, they would have to invent some. And plenty has already been invented, more on the way.
The world has passed the Mike Pence, Mitt Romney, and Jeb Bush contingent by, and return to control is no longer available to them.
If they do bring charges against him. I’m sure this is the plan.