The Bottom Line

After Trump’s White House exit, which way will Republicans go?

‘Old school’ Republicans are not sure if they recognise their party any more.

John Bellinger served as a legal adviser to the White House and State Department during the George W Bush administration.

He was a prominent member of the “never-Trumpers”, the small group of Republicans who opposed Donald Trump’s candidacy in 2015 and voted for Joe Biden in 2020, arguing that Trump was a threat to US security and stability.

Bellinger tells host Steve Clemons that he is surprised by how widespread QAnon and other conspiracy theories are among Republican voters and leaders, including members of Congress. So how does the party move forward? Will it move closer to the centre or further away?