Hear me out. Trump is unelectable. He can get through a primary. He can't get through a general. He precludes any other candidate and more importantly, he precludes any other kind of candidate. Desantis had a chance, because he did an OK job of replicating 'Trumpism'. But you can't grow beyond a core base of pyschopaths with that kind of candidate. That base isn't growing. Its a fixed quantity. Having Trump around means you both a) cant run an alternative candidate because you cant capture the core to get through a primary, and b) can't expand beyond the core because of the nature of the candidate.
The Republican party is basically fucked because of this. Because until Trump goes away, they can't move on. And you'll never win a national election with him again.