Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) says a future with former President Donald Trump at the helm would “hurt our Republican party.”
During his appearance on CNN’s “State of the Union,” host Dana Bash asked Hutchinson if Trump has been successful at taking down the Republican party as he knows it.
“He will only define our party if we let him define our party,” Hutchinson said.
He explained it is “fine” for CPAC to invite Trump to speak but suggested it is important they consider other voices.
“We have to have many different voices and, in my view, we can’t let him define us for the future because that would just further divide our country and it would hurt our Republican Party,” Hutchinson said.
Watch his comments below:
Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson says he wouldn't support former President Trump for reelection in 2024. "We can't let him define us for the future because that would just further divide our country and it would hurt our Republican Party." #CNNSOTU pic.twitter.com/SKXHfcooGt
— State of the Union (@CNNSOTU) February 21, 2021
Bash noted Trump is considering a run for reelection in 2024. She asked him if he would support the former president again.
“No, I wouldn’t. It’s time and he’s got a good family. I worked with Ivanka and others and they love America. But I would not support him for reelection in 2024,” Hutchinson said.
He continued, “He’s going to have a voice, as former presidents do. But there’s many voices in the party, and again, he should not define our future. We’ve got to define it for ourself and that has to be based upon the principles that really gave us the strength in America.”
Hutchinson stressed the party needs to respond to Trump supporters and take Trump’s message and “handle it in a different way.”
Trump is scheduled to speak at CPAC on Feb. 28 in Orland, Florida, as IJR reported.
A source told Reuters, “He’ll be talking about the future of the Republican Party and the conservative movement. Also look for the 45th President to take on President (Joe) Biden’s disastrous amnesty and border policies.”