The "establishment shill" label inevitably attaches. Some existing elected politicians are going to support (or at least put on a good act of support) the presumed and eventual nominee, no matter who it is.
The "trojan horse" aspect attached to Cruz before Jeb, Rubio, etc. came aboard the Cruz-train. I suppose he could still be a trojan horse, just working against the establishment camp instead of against the insurgents's camp.
I remember when holdout conservatives kept splitting the ‘anti-Romney’ ticket. This is essentially the same as the Santorum phase of the primary. Trump is the last one to defeat the Establishment.
Remember that phase? Other conservatives clinged to their little gains and refused to let Santorum overtake Romney.
I was responding to the statement about Trump having the support of many GOPe members that weren’t willing to publicly support him...yet....
It is a double edged sword.