The donors cite the lack of success of the few super PAC attacks that have already targeted Trump as evidence that such attacks have not ― and cannot ― halt his momentum. And they worry that, if they fund higher-profile attacks, they could come under attack from Trump, who this week fired a warning shot at one of the few major donors to the anti-Trump efforts, Marlene Ricketts, tweeting that her family “better be careful, they have a lot to hide!”
They’ve also concluded that big-money attacks could play right into Trump’s hands, reinforcing his claims that he’s independent from donors and moneyed interests who he claims control his opponents. And, if the attacks do get traction, they could ultimately help Democrats in the increasingly more likely event they find themselves pitted against Trump in the general election.
There’s a somewhat circular nature to donors’ trepidation about anti-Trump attacks, pointed out veteran GOP operative Katie Packer, who last month launched the anti-Trump Our Principles PAC.
“People weren’t sure he was a real threat ― they thought nobody was attacking him so he must not be,” said Packer, a former top adviser to Mitt Romney’s 2012 campaign. Now, though, “people are starting to change their tune,” she said.
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