Overview

• The column was published shortly after The Wall Street Journal revealed that Trump was told in May his name appears in Jeffrey Epstein’s files.
• Rove contends that Trump’s promotion of unsupported theories about the 2020 election and January 6 has undermined reality and fractured trust in his base.
• He warns that base disillusionment could depress GOP turnout and boost Democratic prospects in the 2026 midterm elections.
• Rove emphasizes there is no credible evidence or court ruling to support claims of a stolen election or deep-state orchestration of the Capitol assault.
• He argues that if Team Trump responds with further unfounded claims or silence, it will deepen conspiracy theorists’ distrust of the administration.