{{See also|Opposition to Donald Trump}}The '''Anti-Never Trumpmovement''' or "Never Trump" movement is people who was a political group opposed to [[Donald Trump]]'s candidacy for President, even after Trump became the front-runner in the [[United States presidential election, 2016|2016 Republican Presidential presidential race]]. The movement included [[neocons]], [[Cruzites]], [[Leftists]], [[feminists]], and pro-[[illegal immigration]] [[Democrat Party|Democrat]]s. There are also some [[liberal]]-leaning [[Republicans]] who declared their opposition to Trump. These Republican opponents included a handful of current and former elected officials, and a few mostly older commentators and academics. As of By March 2016, over $63 million had been spent on ads attacking Trump.<ref>[http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/63-million-counting-anti-trump-ads-airwaves/story?id=37752543 $63 Million and Counting: Anti-Trump Ads Take Over the Airwaves, ABC, March 19, 2016]</ref> Trump was attacked by 187 organizations directly funded by [[George Soros]].<ref>[http://drrichswier.com/2016/03/20/organizations-funded-directly-by-george-soros-by-discover-the-networks/ Trump under attack by 187 organizations directly funded by George Soros, http://drrichswier.com/, March 20, 2016 ]</ref>
The stated reasons and motivations of Republican opponents of Trump varied. Some churches opposed Trump because the churches are pro-[[they supported illegal immigration]]. Many supporters of [[Ted Cruz]] hoped Cruz would win the nomination instead of Trump. A few in [[Washington, D.C.]]-based [[pro-life]] organizations and in academia claimed that they oppose opposed Trump based in part on his past comments about women, despite how that is a [[feminist]] objection and the current feminists generally support [[abortion]]. A "Catholic" letter was publicized against Trump, even though Trump's top campaign staff consisted of devout [[Roman Catholic Church|Catholics]] and Trump he even spoken spoke highly of [[Pope Francis]] , despite the Pope's harsh criticism of Trump's support for building a wall against illegal immigration.
The Never Trump entered the 2016 Republican national convention movement is largely synonymous with a majority unfavorable poll number among [[token conservative]]s – mainly RINOs and faux conservatives who the entire American people, rather than just GOP primary voters, likely due to unrelentless leftist attacks against himliberal media frequently promotes as "conservative" voices.<ref>{{cite news|url=httpMason, Ian (January 21, 2018). [https://electionswww.huffingtonpostbreitbart.com/pollsterbig-government/2018/01/21/donaldnever-trump-favorablespent-rating|title=Poll Chart: Donald first-year-resistance/ How Never Trump Favorable Rating|work=Huffington Post|accessdate=March 21Spent Their First Year in Resistance]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved January 22, 2017}}2018.</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=httpNolan, Lucas (October 23, 2017). [https://www.usatodaybreitbart.com/storytech/news2017/politics10/onpolitics23/2016/08/31/pollsalon-clintonpublishes-trumplist-mostof-unfavorableapproved-candidatestrump-hating-twitter-everconservatives/89644296/|title=Poll: Clinton, Salon Publishes List of Approved Trump most unfavorable candidates ever|date=Aug 31, 2016|work=USA Today|accessdate=March 21-Hating Twitter Conservatives]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved October 23, 2017|quote=Among U.S</ref> While they are in the extreme minority of the Republican Party, they are heavily promoted by the [[mainstream media]] which makes them appear more important than they actually are. adults<ref>Concha, Clinton now has a 56% unfavorability ratingJoe (July 9, while 2018). [https://thehill.com/opinion/white-house/396086-nevertrumpers-dominate-media-despite-trump-party-loyalty-at-historic-high #NeverTrumpers dominate media despite Trump had 63%party loyalty at historic high]. ''The Hill''. Retrieved July 9, 2018.}}</ref> Regardless[[David Horowitz]], a pro-Trump conservative, has identified two types of NeverTrumpers: those like [[Bill Kristol]] who hate Trump won so much that they even oppose the primaries most mainstream of his conservative policies and side with the general election in a historic landslideLeft, and those who claim to support some of the president's policies while still irrationally opposing him nonetheless.<ref>Horowitz, David (August 20, 2018). [httphttps://www.foxnewsbreitbart.com/politics/2016big-government/112018/08/first20/david-pollshorowitz-closetrumps-in-2016character-race-trumpand-projectedtrumps-to-win-ind-ky-clinton-wins-vt.html Trump wins presidency, defeats Clinton in historic election upset/ David Horowitz: Trump’s Character and Trump’s Presidency]. ''Fox Breitbart News''. November 8, 2016. Retrieved November 10August 20, 20162018.</ref>Most NeverTrumpers are politically complacent, claiming to stand for conservative principles but being unconcerned of the advances of leftism and then criticizing President Trump when he actually tries to roll back their advances.<ref>GoldmacherDelingpole, Shane & Schreckinger, Ben James (November 9August 23, 20162018). [httphttps://www.politicobreitbart.com/storybig-government/20162018/1108/election23/delingpole-resultstrump-2016derangement-clintonsyndrome-trumpis-231070?lo=ap_c1 making-conservatives-lazy-cowardly-and-stupid/ Delingpole: Trump pulls off biggest upset in U.S. historyDerangement Syndrome Is Making Conservatives Lazy, Cowardly and Stupid]. ''PoliticoBreitbart News''. Retrieved November 9August 23, 20162018.</ref>
== The so2016 presidential election==According to polling data (which proved inaccurate when trying to predict the general election outcome) Trump entered the 2016 Republican national convention with a majority unfavorable poll number among the entire American people, rather than just GOP primary voters, likely due to unrelentless leftist attacks against him.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://elections.huffingtonpost.com/pollster/donald-called "protrump-life" letter against favorable-rating|title=Poll Chart: Donald Trump Favorable Rating|work=Huffington Post|accessdate=March 21, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/onpolitics/2016/08/31/poll-clinton-trump-most-unfavorable-candidates-ever/89644296/|title=Poll: Clinton, Trump most unfavorable candidates ever|date=Aug 31, 2016|work=USA Today|accessdate=March 21, 2017|quote=Among U.S. adults, Clinton now has a 56% unfavorability rating, while Trump had 63%.}}</ref> Regardless, Trump won the primaries and the general election in a historic landslide, illustrating the American people's rejection of the Never Trump movement.<ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2016/11/08/first-polls-close-in-2016-race-trump-projected-to-win-ind-ky-clinton-wins-vt.html Trump wins presidency, defeats Clinton in historic election upset]. ''Fox News''. November 8, 2016. Retrieved November 10, 2016.</ref><ref>Goldmacher, Shane & Schreckinger, Ben (November 9, 2016). [https://www.politico.com/story/2016/11/election-results-2016-clinton-trump-231070?lo=ap_c1 Trump pulls off biggest upset in U.S. history]. ''Politico''. Retrieved November 9, 2016.</ref>
=== The so-called "pro-life" letter against Trump === A letter signed by merely ten pro-lifers, two of whom were officers of the [[Susan B. Anthony List]], an a conservative organization that has been associated with [[feminism]], criticized Trump on the eve of the [[Iowa caucuses]]. The letter expressly sided with [[feminist]] [[Megyn Kelly]] against Trump:<ref>https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2016/01/26/antiabortion-activists-to-iowa-voters-support-anyone-but-donald-trump/</ref>
{{cquote|Moreover, as women, we are disgusted by Mr. Trump’s treatment of individuals, women, in particular. He has impugned the dignity of women, most notably [[Megyn Kelly]], he mocked and bullied [[Carly Fiorina]], and has through the years made disparaging public comments to and about many women. Further, Mr. Trump has profited from the exploitation of women in his [[Atlantic City]] casino hotel which boasted of the first strip club [[casino]] in the country.}}
There is nothing pro-life about the foregoing criticism. Feminists, as a group other than the individuals mentioned above, are generally big supporters of taxpayer-funded [[abortion]].
=== "An Appeal to Our Fellow Catholics" letter ===
A so-called Catholic letter dated March 7, 2016 and containing 37 signatories—more than 20% who were associated with the "Ethics and Public Policy Center"—attempted to make a Catholic case against voting for [[Donald Trump]].<ref>http://www.nationalreview.com/article/432437/donald-trump-catholic-opposition-statement</ref> Here is an excerpt from the letter, which was posted online by ''National Review'':
One may question what, if anything, the above issue have to do with [[Roman Catholic Church|Catholicism]].
=== The so-called "Conservatives Against Trump" rant in ''National Review''===
On Jan. 21, 2016, the [[neoconservative]]-leading ''National Review'' published a list of 22 individuals who oppose [[Donald Trump]].<ref>http://www.nationalreview.com/article/430126/donald-trump-conservatives-oppose-nomination</ref> Most of these individuals are associated with the media, such as [[Glenn Beck]].
=== The [[Con Con]] movement ===
Many of the Republicans who seek a new federal constitutional convention, or an Article V convention, are refusing refused to endorse [[Donald Trump]]. For example, [[Michael Farris]] stated that he is would not endorsing endorse Trump. The [[Koch brothers]] have also been were anti-Trump.
===Convention delegate fight===
Although Trump won a majority of Republican state primaries,<ref>[http://www.thegreenpapers.com/P16/R Republican Convention]. ''The Green Papers''. Retrieved March 21, 2017.</ref> many states did not award delegates on a statewide winner take all basis. In addition, although candidates for convention delegates are pledged to specific Presidential candidates, in many cases the individuals selected to serve as delegates are not strong advocates for their pledges.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/28/us/politics/pennsylvania-delegates-donald-trump.html?_r=0|title=In Pennsylvania, Unbound Delegates Remain Wary of Donald Trump|work=New York Times|first=Jeremy|last= Peters|date=April 27, 2016|accessdate=March 21, 2017}}</ref> As a result, the Anti-Trump movement unsuccessfully sought to change the rules for the Republican National Convention to eliminate the requirement that delegates pledged to Trump actually vote to nominate Trump as President.
==During Trump's presidency==
The size and influence of the Never Trump movement had greatly declined by Trump's first year as president.<ref>[https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/12/28/ny-mag-never-trumpers-crash-burn/ NY Mag: Never Trumpers Crash and Burn]. ''Breitbart News''. December 28, 2017. Retrieved December 28, 2017.</ref> Many never-Trumpers have refused to give Trump credit when he made a decision as president they liked. For example, while some Never Trumpers congratulated President Trump for declaring [[Jerusalem]] as the capital of [[Israel]], others – even those known for supporting Israel – stayed silent on the declaration.<ref>Pollak, Joel B. (December 6, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/12/06/nevertrump-jerusalem-move-good-trump/ #NeverTrump on Jerusalem, Embassy Decision: ‘Good for Trump’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved December 8, 2017.</ref> Many of them also criticized Trump's foreign policy because it put U.S. interests first.<ref>Glick, Caroline (August 5, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/jerusalem/2018/08/05/caroline-glick-never-trump-foreign-policy/ Caroline Glick: Never Trump’s Insane Foreign Policy]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved August 5, 2018.</ref> Other never-Trumpers eventually warmed to president Trump after seeing his actions as president, and they acknowledged [[Donald Trump achievements|his achievements]].<ref>Shaw, Adam (December 19, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/12/19/never-trump-conservatives-soften-to-president-trump-hail-his-achievements/ ‘Never Trump’ Conservatives Soften to President Trump, Hail His Achievements]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved December 20, 2017.</ref>
Conservative critics have described the "Never Trump" movement as [[useful idiot]]s of the [[liberal media]].<ref>Nolte, John (January 15, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2018/01/15/nolte-media-found-useful-idiots-nevertrump/ Nolte: The Media Has Found Its Useful Idiots in #NeverTrump]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved January 15, 2018.</ref> As seen with the quick firing of Never Trumper [[Kevin Williamson]] from ''[[The Atlantic]]'' due to his conservative [[pro-life]] positions on abortions, their knee-jerk opposition to President Trump did not cause the left-wing media to fully accept them.<ref>Nolte, John (April 6, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-journalism/2018/04/06/nolte-kevin-williamsons-atlantic-firing-wake-nevertrump-wont/ Nolte: Kevin Williamson’s ‘Atlantic’ Firing Should Wake Up #NeverTrump (But It Won’t)]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved April 7, 2018.</ref>
In April 2018, [[David Brooks]], himself a Never Trumper, admitted that the Never Trump movement had failed.<ref>Scarry, Eddie (April 10, 2018). [https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/david-brooks-the-anti-trump-movement-is-a-failure David Brooks: 'The anti-Trump movement is a failure']. ''Washington Examiner''. Retrieved April 10, 2018.</ref> If it had succeeded, the Supreme Court would have had a 6–3 Democrat majority by mid-2018.<ref>Nolte, John (June 29, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2018/06/29/never-trump-would-have-ensured-democrats-had-6-3-scotus-majority/ Nolte: Never-Trump Would’ve Handed Democrats 6-3 Supreme Court Majority]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved June 29, 2018.</ref>
Many Never-Trumpers, despite claiming to be "conservative", openly advocated for electing Democrats in the 2018 midterm elections.<ref>Multiple references:
*Kurtz, Howard (July 6, 2018). [http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/07/06/divorcing-trump-why-some-conservatives-are-now-pushing-democrats.html Divorcing Trump: Why some conservatives are now pushing Democrats (!)]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved July 6, 2018.
*Scaliger, Charles (July 6, 2018). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/politics/item/29464-establishment-conservatives-now-hoping-for-democratic-takeover-in-november Establishment Conservatives Now Hoping for Democratic Takeover in November]. ''The New American''. Retrieved July 6, 2018.
See also:
*Scarry, Eddie (July 7, 2018). [https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/columnists/medias-anti-trumpers-arent-leaving-the-gop-theyve-been-fired Media's anti-Trumpers aren't 'leaving' the GOP. They've been fired]. ''Washington Examiner''. Retrieved July 6, 2018.</ref> This came despite the extreme positions of Democrats.<ref>Hayward, John (February 3, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2019/02/03/hayward-wake-up-call-nevertrump/ Hayward: A Wake-Up Call for NeverTrump]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved February 3, 2019.</ref>
== See also ==
== References ==
<references/>{{Reflist|colwidth=35em}}
[[Category:United States Politics]]
[[Category:Feminism]]
[[Category:Leftist Thought]]
[[Category:Donald Globalism]][[Category:Anti-Trump]]