The Supreme Court handed down several key decisions in its Thursday-Friday finale, setting off fireworks across the country—some in celebration, others in anger. Conservative media personality Megyn Kelly credited former President Donald Trump for the “historic decisions.” Kelly’s short analysis was spot on.
First, here are three relevant SCOTUS decisions:
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Kelly on Friday celebrated the decisions, noting Trump’s nomination of three conservative associate justices now on the bench — Brett Kavanaugh, Amy Coney Barrett, and Neil Gorsuch — and suggesting that the former president tout the triad of victories as part of his campaign talking points.
A spectacular day for Donald Trump whose three conservative picks for SCOTUS were integral to the historic decisions yesterday and today. Major feather in his cap and will likely (& rightfully) be touted by his campaign in coming months.
I couldn’t agree, more.
So, here’s the rest of the story.
Trump deserves credit for deferring to the conservative Federalist Society for a list of potential nominees.
In addition, love him or hate him, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell also deserves credit, for standing steadfast in 2016 against then-President Barack Obama’s lame-duck SCOTUS nomination of the disgraceful Merrick Garland, and in November 2020, quickly pushing Trump nominee Amy Coney Barrett through the confirmation process.
My point: Yes, Trump deserves the majority of the credit, but without wisely listening to the Federalist Society and McConnell doing his thing — twice — the high court’s makeup would likely be far different.
The Strange History of the Trump-Kelly Feud
Neil Young once described his relationship with former Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young super-group bandmate Stephen Stills thusly: “We’ve had our ups and downs, but we’re still playing together.” The same can be said of the relationship between Donald Trump and Megyn Kelly.
You might recall Trump’s “blood coming out of her wherever” blast about then-Fox News host Kelly, who asked tough questions during the first Republican primary debate in August 2016.
Four years later in October 2020, Trump thanked Kelly for her praise of one of his debate performances against Joe Biden.
Trump won this debate, handily. Biden wasn’t a force at all. Trump was substantive, on-point, well-tempered. Definitely helped himself, when it mattered most.
It wouldn’t be a bad idea for Trump and Kelly to remain on good terms.
The Bottom Line
The 2024 presidential election likely will be an election like no other. Emotions are high on both sides of the political divide, which suggests that the more cohesiveness one side enjoys over the other, the better chance that side will have to not only win the presidential election but also to do well in down-ballot races.
If Trump wins the Republican nomination, influencers like Megyn Kelly in his corner could prove invaluable.
Intraparty squabbles are inevitable, but the Republican Party must develop and maintain the discipline to never forget that radicalized Joe Biden and the equally radicalized Democrat Party will be the real “enemy” in 2024— regardless of who wins the GOP nomination.