Trump Reaches Out to #NeverTrump
By Byron York
WashingtonExaminer
Recently the Trump campaign reached out to
National Review, whose "Against Trump" edition
galvanized the #NeverTrump movement, seeking input
in compiling a list of possible Supreme Court
nominees. It was just one example of Trump
attempting to mend fences, or at least establish
contact, with his most determined detractors as he
tries to consolidate support as the Republican
presidential nominee.
"I don't know if I'm making news here," National
Review's Jonah Goldberg said on Fox News Wednesday.
"[Trump] also reached out to 'National Review,' a
magazine that's been pretty critical of him, asking
for judges."
Goldberg did not offer more details. Rich Lowry,
editor of National Review would not say how the
magazine responded, and declined to comment at all
except to say that Goldberg's statement on Fox was
correct.
On Friday morning, one of the most vocal
#NeverTrumpers of all, Wisconsin conservative radio
host Charlie Sykes, announced that Trump had sent
him a handwritten, conciliatory note. The note was a
copy of the New York Times with an article about
formerly anti-Trump conservatives coming around to
supporting Trump. Trump had written, "Charlie — I
hope you can change your mind. Look forward to doing
your show." After the signature, Trump added, "I
WILL WIN!"
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On his radio program Friday, Sykes expressed
appreciation for Trump's gesture, but no inclination
to change his position.
"I know that simply writing a note doesn't change
anything," Sykes said on his radio program Friday
morning. "But it would have been unfair on my part
not to tell people that at least he did this.. .At
least in this small context, he apparently is
willing to be more gracious than his legion of
Trumpkins."
Later, Sykes tweeted, "I thanked [Trump]. But not
going to cave just cuz he sends me a note."
A member of TrumpWorld says there will be more such
gestures. "In order to heal after a primary, you've
got to reach out to people who weren't with you," he
noted Friday. "If they don't want to heal, there's
nothing you can do about it. But the right thing to
do is to try."
It's not clear what long-term good the Trump peace
initiative will do. Both sides have called each
other a lot of names, and the #NeverTrump forces
have invested a lot in opposing him. But it might
lead to some interesting conversations.