Politico has an interesting tidbit in its profile of a Left-wing lawyer and nasty influencer Ron Filipkowski: he closely coordinates with the Trump team and allies in his efforts to destroy Governor Ron DeSantis.

It’s not that Filipkowski supports Trump; he hates him. He has been a thorn in Trump’s side for years and a bête noire for Republicans for just as long. He is a very effective propagandist for the Left with nearly 800,000 followers on Twitter/X and a devoted following that includes activists, journalists, or just about anyone who is focused on keeping up with the Narrative™ minute by minute.

That includes me. I may not like his takes, but it is important to know what he is saying because it will influence the larger conversation soon enough.

Filipkowski is leaving the practice of law to become Editor-in-Chief of MeidasTouch.com. So unsurprisingly he got a glowing profile in Politico (pretty standard when a prominent person changes roles) to highlight his influence and get the word out that something new is happening. Buried within the story is this tidbit:

His tweets have sparked cable news segments and online battles with political operatives. Journalists have alerts turned on to catch the latest photo or obscure right-wing event he has uncovered. Even the campaigns he covers and political figures he loathes have warmed to him and even teamed up with him. Filipkowski said he is in contact with far-right activist Laura Loomer and people affiliated with Donald Trump’s campaign. It’s not to boost Trump (whom he has been agitating against since the 2020 campaign) but to upend their mutual enemy: DeSantis.

“I’m probably the top anti-DeSantis person on Twitter. So if [rivals] have something anti-DeSantis that they want to get into the mainstream, they’ll send it to me,” Filipkowski said, without disclosing the name of anyone on the Trump campaign he’s worked with. The Trump campaign declined to comment.

Loomer said they speak occasionally. “He knows I’m a Trump loyalist, and I know he doesn’t like Trump, and despite our differences, we have found common ground on making sure Ron DeSantis is never elected president of the United States, ever.”

Sounds about right. Laura Loomer and Ron Filipkowski are two peas in a pod.  Both of them are dedicated to ensuring that Ron DeSantis never becomes president, and both of them have an unhealthy obsession with Donald Trump.

Laura Loomer is, well, insane. Not so insane that Trump doesn’t flirt with her constantly. He almost hired her for his campaign until others working for him revolted at the idea, and despite the team’s discomfort Trump still uses his influence to promote her as an unofficial spokesperson.

Trump just spent the day with Laura Loomer, who accused Casey DeSantis of faking/exaggerating her battle with cancer pic.twitter.com/qzXt5VS1yi

— John Hasson (@SonofHas) August 13, 2023

Trump wouldn’t be seen with Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds when he visited, given that she has been friendly to DeSantis. But he spent the day with Laura Loomer who has spread conspiracy theories about Casey DeSantis faking cancer and about Ron DeSantis being transgender or gay.

Apparently, though, it isn’t just Loomer who is working with Filipowski if he is to be believed. Others in Trump’s orbit feed him talking points as well.

None of this is surprising, of course, because the Trump campaign has never been about anything but redemption for Donald Trump.

I have no particular animus toward Trump. I thought he was a good president prior to COVID, although as a person I find him insufferable. He is a narcissist, nasty, crude, and annoying.

I also firmly believe he is being unfairly persecuted, and I believe he has every right to seek redemption. Whatever his flaws the relentless and often lawless campaign to destroy him is not only unfair to him but destructive to America.

Today was the best day of my life. I got to spend the entire day with the greatest President our country has ever had: DONALD J TRUMP!

President Donald Trump is the most down to earth and amazing person ever. He is the best host. He is hilarious and he is also very generous and… https://t.co/JEa5YaeTmw pic.twitter.com/VXNUyFD3ZE

— Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) August 13, 2023

But my loyalty is to America and to conservative causes, and Trump has precisely zero loyalty to conservatives. He has been on a relentless campaign to destroy not just DeSantis but all the best Republican governors in America, including Kemp, Reynolds, and Youngkin. He refuses to be outshone and demands fealty to himself over anything else.

This is why Trump’s team is happy enough to work with one of the Republican Party’s greatest enemies, bolstering the influence of a committed enemy of conservatives. This is also why he spends his days with people like Laura Loomer, who is so batsh!t crazy that when thinks attacking a mother with breast cancer is just fine.

It’s one thing to recognize that results matter and that sometimes you have to get down into the dirt to win–politics is a contact sport; it’s another to toss out all the rules and human decency simply to settle scores.

Trump now has both Laura Loomer and Ron Filipowski in his orbit, at least for the moment.

What does that say about him?