Never Trump Republicans Struggle to Find Relevance After Trump's Grip on GOP

A fractured movement still trying to find its footing a decade after Trump rose to power.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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A New York Times article examines the debates among Never Trump conservatives over anti-MAGA strategies, as they find themselves pushed to the margins of the Republican Party that has been firmly gripped by former President Donald Trump. With Trump's 2024 election win reinforcing his hold on the GOP, many of his critics within the party are contemplating their route back to relevance once Trump leaves office, with differing views on the best path forward.

Why it matters

The article highlights the challenges faced by the Never Trump faction of the Republican Party, who have been marginalized as the party has become increasingly dominated by Trump and his MAGA movement. Their struggle to find a way back to relevance within the GOP or potentially align with the Democratic Party reflects the deep divisions within the conservative movement in the aftermath of the Trump presidency.

The details

The article profiles several prominent Never Trump conservatives, including George Conway, David French, and former Rep. Joe Walsh, who have either left the Republican Party or are now registered Democrats. It also features an interview with John Giles, a former Republican mayor of Mesa, Arizona, who expressed pessimism about the GOP moving away from Trumpism, saying, "I'm not sure what I'm fighting for at this. I don't see any kind of pushback in the Republican Party right now."

  • The article was published on February 22, 2026.

The players

Donald Trump

The former president whose grip on the Republican Party has left many Never Trump conservatives struggling to find relevance.

George Conway

A conservative attorney and prominent Trump critic who is now a registered Democrat.

David French

A conservative columnist for The New York Times and a frequent guest on MS NOW (formerly MSNBC).

Joe Walsh

A former Republican congressman and a prominent figure in the Tea Party movement during Barack Obama's presidency, who is now a registered Democrat.

John Giles

A former Republican mayor of Mesa, Arizona, who endorsed Kamala Harris in the 2024 Democratic National Convention.

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What they’re saying

“I'm not sure what I'm fighting for at this. I don't see any kind of pushback in the Republican Party right now.”

— John Giles, Former Republican Mayor of Mesa, Arizona (The New York Times)

The takeaway

The article highlights the ongoing struggle of the Never Trump faction of the Republican Party to find a path back to relevance within a party that has been firmly gripped by the former president and his MAGA movement. Their differing views on the best strategy, whether it's expanding their foothold in the Democratic Party or waiting for the GOP to move on from Trump, reflect the deep divisions within the conservative movement in the aftermath of the Trump presidency.