"A great act of disloyalty."

The MoJo Daily newsletter, Monday through Friday. [View in browser]( [Mother Jones Daily Newsletter](     January 30, 2023 "A great act of disloyalty because, you know, I got him in." That's how Donald Trump described the buzzing speculation that Ron DeSantis, as we're told over and over again, is mounting a presidential run. The claim was classic Trump, an ugly warning wrapped in self-aggrandizing delusion; nothing really interesting. But I found the remark bouncing around my head today while reading [McKay Coppins' latest piece]( in the Atlantic examining the rather strange predicament before Republicans these days. According to Coppins, many in the GOP are hoping that Trump quietly vanishes, whether it be via the [criminal justice system](—where it seems like things are heating up against the former president—or even death from old age. "You have a lot of folks who are just wishing for [Trump’s] mortal demise," is what one former Republican congressman said. So why isn't DeSantis, largely seen as Trump's primary rival for the nomination, defending himself against Trump's fighting words? What about the others? Well, [you should read Coppins' piece,]( which explores the rationale behind the silence. But for me, it really doesn't get more complex than the fact that this is a party of pathetic cowardice. A political entity that can't seem to muster the strength to hit back, even in the most gentle form, at a 76-year-old, twice-impeached loser who refuses to change. This is a party that is standing by an [extraordinary liar whose donors don't seem to exist](, who is the laughingstock of an entire country full of them. So, I can't even fault Trump for attacking DeSantis with such petty contempt. Wouldn't you do the same? —Inae Oh Advertisement [House Subscriptions Ad]( [Top Story] [Top Story]( [We Tried to Call the Top Donors to George Santos’ 2020 Campaign. Many Don’t Seem to Exist.]( The list of matters to investigate keeps growing. BY NOAH LANARD AND DAVID CORN SPONSORED CONTENT BY THE NATION   Visit Cuba: Havana to Viñales: April 15 – 22, 2023 Join fellow progressive travelers and long-time Nation contributor Peter Kornbluh in Cuba this spring. Experience the unique beauty, complex politics, and unmatched energy of Havana plus the dramatic landscape of the Viñales valley. Extend your stay in Cuba and also visit the beautiful colonial city of Trinidad. Use code “MOJO” to save $300 per person. [Learn more here.]( [Trending] [Trump's latest legal nightmare: A grand jury is reportedly investigating the Stormy Daniels payoff]( BY RUSS CHOMA   [Tyre Nichols' parents set to attend Biden's State of the Union address]( BY ARIANNA COGHILL   [Video shows Memphis police brutally beating Tyre Nichols—then laughing about it]( BY SAMANTHA MICHAELS   [Utah just became the first state in 2023 to ban gender-affirming care]( BY JULIA LURIE Advertisement [House Donations Ad]( [Special Feature] [Special Feature]( [What to know about the risks of gas stoves and appliances]( A reporter consulted public health experts to learn about the scope of the problem and what people can do to reduce these risks at home. BY LISA SONG [Fiercely Independent] Support from readers allows Mother Jones to do journalism that doesn't just follow the pack. [Donate]( Did you enjoy this newsletter? Help us out by [forwarding]( it to a friend or sharing it on [Facebook]( and [Twitter](. [Mother Jones]( [Donate]( [Donate Monthly]( [Subscribe]( This message was sent to {EMAIL}. To change the messages you receive from us, you can [edit your email preferences]( or [unsubscribe from all mailings.]( For advertising opportunities see our online [media kit.]( Were you forwarded this email? [Sign up for Mother Jones' newsletters today.]( [www.MotherJones.com]( PO Box 8539, Big Sandy, TX 75755