As a Republican who supported Donald Trump, I now say it’s time to move beyond him

I supported Donald Trump in 2016 before it was popular. I supported him again in 2020 for the accomplishments he achieved in his first term as president, despite his brazen, off-message rants, and conflicting declarations and statements.

Trump’s achievements and the direction he was leading our country outweighed his shortfalls. But since the 2020 election, it has been time to move on from Trump.

But the “Trump-under-any-circumstances,” supporters, conspiracy theorists, and disillusioned Trump acolytes refuse to do so. Although those who continue to think this way grow smaller in number, they still account for approximately 25% of most Republican primary voters — the type of plurality victories that led to Trump earning the Republican nomination in 2016.

In states like Kentucky, Trump’s popularity remains high and slower to decline. He won Kentucky overwhelmingly in 2016 and 2020. It is why Trump often hurls insults and picks fights with U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell. It is also why Trump felt confident issuing an endorsement in the 2023 Republican gubernatorial primary for Attorney General Daniel Cameron eleven months beforehand.

The 2022 elections proved Trump’s endorsements in Republican primaries still carries influence, although many of those candidates failed to win in the general election. The May Republican primary for governor will shed light how persuasive the Trump endorsement can still be.

Trump served a purpose. He served it well, and beyond many expectations. Now he is entirely self-absorbed (more than before) and obsessed with the past, with no original thought or vision for the future of our country.

Trump grew the Republican Party. He brought more Hispanics, African Americans, Asians and other minority groups into the GOP. We are now losing those increases largely because of his preoccupation and inability to talk about anything other than massive and widespread fraud,” “stolen elections,” “deception,” “fake news,” and himself.

Trump cut taxes. He strengthened U.S. energy independence. He held China and our enemies abroad accountable. He cracked down on illegal crossings along our southern border. He unrelentingly supported our military and law enforcement.

The economy was booming. Unemployment was at its lowest in 50 years. Inflation was at a low 2% until the pandemic hit.

Trump served a purpose, accomplished a great deal, but his time has passed. He has become a huge distraction in the political arena, his ability to contribute to America’s future faded, and now his overt disregard for the U.S. Constitution is embarrassing.

Now more than ever it is time to move on, because if we do not Republicans will continue to lose and under-perform in elections as we have for two consecutive election cycles.

Should Trump be the 2024 nominee, we will lose the White House again, we will not secure a majority in the U.S. Senate despite a favorable map, we will lose our slim majority in the House, and likely lose governorships and state legislative seats across the country.

Republicans have a deep bench of young, vibrant and new talent. We have for several years, but since 2008 we have nominated political figures whose ideas are stale and outdated.

Trump once promised we were going to win so much that we would get tired of it. Republicans have not been winning. We have been losing so much, and I am tired of it, as are many others.

It is time for a generational change in the White House. It is time for a Republican nominee who truly wants to serve the American people rather than obsessively litigate, talk and relive the past without any regard for tomorrow. It is time for Republicans to put forward a candidate for president who has new ideas, real conservative solutions, and the talent to grow the GOP and appeal to independent voters.

It is time to move on from Trump. We can do better. We must do better. The 2024 election presents Republicans this opportunity. Let’s not fail to take it.

Alfredo Rodriguez III is the founder and president of Dyce Communications, a national strategic communications, public affairs, media and Republican political consulting firm based in Charlotte.