Trump’s Outburst Causes Republicans to React with Unease Over His ‘Public Meltdown’

Republicans are struggling with Donald Trump’s erratic behavior as he begins his campaign against Kamala Harris. On Monday morning, Trump labeled global financial market turmoil as the “Kamala Crash,” briefly giving Republicans hope that he might focus on economic issues. However, by midday, he was back to critiquing his recent Chicago appearance, where he made controversial comments about Harris’s identity and criticized a journalist.

Trump’s lack of discipline has become a major concern for Republicans, especially as Harris gains momentum in fundraising and poll numbers. Over the weekend, Trump praised Russian leader Vladimir Putin, disparaged Harris as “low IQ” and “dumb,” and attacked Georgia GOP Governor Brian Kemp. This behavior is seen as a “public nervous breakdown” by some GOP strategists, who worry that Trump’s inability to maintain focus is undermining his campaign.

Despite criticism, a Trump campaign official argued that his varied attacks, including his recent criticisms of Harris and market instability, are part of a deliberate strategy. The official claimed Trump is adept at handling multiple issues simultaneously.

Trump’s allies, like Rep. Mike Collins, downplayed his conflicts with fellow Republicans, emphasizing the need for party unity to secure victory in November. Although intra-party tensions are not new, the current discontent within the GOP seems deeper, reflecting concerns that Trump has not improved his discipline since his 2020 loss.