The results of last night’s Ohio Senate primary made one thing clear: Donald Trump’s stranglehold on the Republican Party isn’t going away anytime soon. Today’s Republican Party is the MAGA Party, and it’s run by Donald Trump. 

Trump-endorsed MAGA extremist J.D. Vance won the Republican Senate primary in Ohio, proving the strength of Donald Trump’s stranglehold on the Republican Party. 

Bloomberg: “JD Vance Shows Trump’s Enduring GOP Grip With Ohio Primary Win”

Rolling Stone: “J.D. Vance Debased Himself at the Altar of Trump and Landed the Republican Nomination for Senate in Ohio”

Associated Press: “Election takeaways: Donald Trump’s endorsement helped Ohio’s JD Vance win a crowded U.S. Senate primary, a successful test of the former president’s continuing hold on the Republican Party.”

Axios: “Vance’s victory deals a body blow to a small but noticeable resurgence of anti-Trump — or post-Trump — sentiment in the GOP.”

This is just the latest evidence that Trump remains the de facto party leader, as Kevin McCarthy once again rolled over to appease the defeated former president this week, and RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel has continued to tout the strength of Trump’s endorsements. 

New York Times Opinion: “There’s No Reason to Think Republicans Are Ready to Move on From Trump”

New York Times’ Maggie Haberman: “NEW: McCarthy saw Trump yesterday, per two people familiar with the meeting.”

Washington Post: “Trump’s public support was the most crucial piece of McCarthy’s effort, with the president publicly forgiving McCarthy for initially calling for his censure and saying he had a responsibility for the attack…People close to Trump, however, say the former president also sees the controversy as increasing his leverage over the would-be House speaker.”

Ronna McDaniel: “President Trump’s endorsement is highly sought after by Republicans and you just saw with J.D. Vance, when he gives that endorsement, they jump ahead in races. Ted Budd is another example, Dr. Oz is another example. And that’s why you’re seeing this big line at Mar-a-Lago for those endorsements.”

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