CNN “State of the Union” anchor Jake Tapper said Monday night that Donald Trump is all but certain to be the Republican presidential nominee, despite handwringing from the GOP apparatus in Washington, D.C.
Asked by TBS “Conan” host Conan O’Brien whether he believed Trump will be the nominee, even as he struggles to obtain the needed delegates ahead of the summer convention, Tapper said yes.
“I do think he’ll be the nominee,” he said. “I’ve been saying since last fall I don’t see any way that the Republicans who are running against him can stop him. And he has been a force. He has a dedicated and devoted group of supporters, 35-45 percent, depending on the state, and there is almost nothing he can do that will make them look away.”
Since launching his campaign in June, Trump has dominated the news media, one controversy after another, many of which might have toppled another candidate only seem to have emboldened Trump’s candidacy.
“He has this mesmerizing persuasion quality,” Tapper said of Trump’s rise.
