A substantial fraction of their base is his cult now, and the Republicans know that they cannot win without his support. Ultimately they will bow to his will because the parts of the party which have not been utterly brainwashed realize that it is currently their only path to victory, no matter how distasteful that is.

Doubtful, many repubs are probably sealed witnesses which would explain the speed with which everything is moving. That way they can in secret undermine trump and save face do they can give the nomination to someone who isn’t desantis or trump.

Doubtful, many repubs are probably sealed witnesses which would explain the speed with which everything is moving.

Are you referring to the trials? The best case scenario for Trump opponents is to delay them.

They know that if he is actually convicted, that will seal his nomination with the party’s base, who have a persecution complex and will have no problem at all voting for a felon (while driving to the polls with a “thin blue line” decal on the car, ignoring the irony).