Donald J. Trump will never be President of the United States, but he can still win.
He is the Republican kingmaker and if he plays it correctly, then for the rest of his life he will be a beloved member of the new Republican Party. He can assure his causes: immigration, trade, and American nationalism dominate the Party. He cannot be the nominee, but he can pick the nominee.
He is unlikely to get enough delegates to get a first ballot nomination, but if he did, it would be a nomination not worth having. Trump is no Bob Dole content to get into the history books for losing to a Clinton. If he fails to get enough delegates, he can still elect Secretary Clinton by leaving the Party mad. His cause will be finished for the rest of his life.
Trump had the nomination in his grasp in January if he could have moderated his behavior. He knows that he cost himself his chance. If we assume he is no fool, that he learned some degree of humility after his near miss with personal bankruptcy and failure, then he knows. The people who surround him are not the people voting for him. The golf buddies and the Hollywood friends have been alienated by the “hands” obsession and the attacks on strong women.
Donald J. Trump has harmed his brand . . .ask Ivanka. . . and can only redeem it by winning. He can control his fate and guarantee his victory.
If Mr. Trump wants to redeem his reputation, he can do so by becoming the King Maker of the Republican Party. All he must do is take his plurality of delegates and give them to a strong woman who will run on his issues. He can secure a (private) promise to be involved in trade negotiations. This is a role Governor Palin could have played if she had not be-clowned herself. I would personally suggest Congressman Renee Ellmers as his strongest play, but he has any option. He should pick an outsider and someone with his strong nationalism.
The Republican Party, not the Establishment, but voters like I was who considered but rejected the billionaire businessman as temperamentally unsuited for the executive would be eternally grateful. He would prove that accusations of narcissism were a lie. He would prove he is no misogynist. He would keep people he dislikes from the nomination and would unite the party. He can pick the nominee, but he cannot be nominee.
Donald Trump can be king maker, but he cannot be king. If like the Earl of Warwick in the War of Roses, he goes too far, then the king maker will fail. He has the power to destroy the Party, but not win power himself. If Donald J. Trump will make someone else President, then he will secure his place in the history of the Republic. What will he do?
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