Another one bites the dust? Brad Thor lays down his #NeverTrump sword

.@BradThor This can't be true, Brad was the absolute last person that I thought would cave. Trump is too dangerous. pic.twitter.com/1EbYOmm90r

— Daniel Jensen (@dsjensen12) August 16, 2016

Wow. This afternoon, bestselling author and self-described “#NeverTrump stalwart” penned what was no doubt a difficult piece for HotAir:

.@BradThor, setting down his #NeverTrump cudgels 4 fight against @HillaryClinton Hope @realDonaldTrump calls him: https://t.co/ngoDoZQ7u5

— Hugh Hewitt (@hughhewitt) August 16, 2016

https://twitter.com/BradThor/status/765612155970478080

In his op-ed, Thor concludes:

Drug #1 [Hillary] will kill us – no question. Drug #2 [Trump] might kill us, but it also might:

A) Slow the cancer, or even

B) Cure the cancer

It’s a lot to hope for, I know, but hope is all we have left. We have exhausted every other avenue. Make no mistake – I believe one hundred percent in standing on principle. Principle, in this case though, will not cure cancer.

Sadly, that crappy clinic south of the border is starting to look like our only option.

Needless to say, Thor’s piece proved extremely provocative. He elaborated on his position on Twitter:

.@BradThor Trump is not a cure. He's a symptom.

— Gina Dalfonzo (@ginadalfonzo) August 16, 2016

https://twitter.com/BradThor/status/765613172824891392

.@BradThor Somewhat disappointed. I guess we can now, and forever, be counted on to "come around and get on board." Need to dwell on this.

— Paul Marsh Ex-GOP (@pdmarsh54661709) August 16, 2016

https://twitter.com/BradThor/status/765613558348541952

very sad. if changing dc is the goal. if limited govt is the goal how is the answer not an Article V convention? @BradThor

— Charles (@repub9989) August 16, 2016

https://twitter.com/BradThor/status/765613789135904769

https://twitter.com/BradThor/status/765614138164965376

Why rethink #NeverTrump now? It's never been more clear that Trump is unfit than during the past two weeks.

— Carl Forsling (@CarlForsling) August 16, 2016

https://twitter.com/BradThor/status/765614513223823361

I mean you go from Trump being a dictator in the making to "well his justices might not be as bad".

— Sean Wendt (@Writ3Wing3r) August 16, 2016

https://twitter.com/BradThor/status/765615217443299329

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It's neither. The Church and Christ on principle are the cure, not the election of a lesser evil. https://t.co/1Zvddc5Lyu

— TREY ☧ (@TreyMays) August 16, 2016

https://twitter.com/BradThor/status/765615485492789249

https://twitter.com/BradThor/status/765615852410572800

https://twitter.com/BradThor/status/765616405697945600

https://twitter.com/BradThor/status/765616813841448960

If you say something like this, then you've given up on 2020 as well as 2016 https://t.co/7OslYH5ixw

— PoliMath (@politicalmath) August 16, 2016

https://twitter.com/BradThor/status/765617473517486081

I get it but disagree. Even without Trump we're heading here. It's a question of speed. The people are the problem. https://t.co/SD9Z6wGOr5

— Drew McCoy (@_Drew_McCoy_) August 16, 2016

https://twitter.com/BradThor/status/765617754410016768

https://twitter.com/FCMarx68/status/765617715189014529

https://twitter.com/BradThor/status/765618032093822976

https://twitter.com/ThatElJefe/status/765617999403360256

https://twitter.com/BradThor/status/765618298780278784

https://twitter.com/DrollNDry/status/765618280019136514

https://twitter.com/BradThor/status/765618671339397121

The question is who will lead us into WW3 sooner? I believe Trump will.

— ??‍♀️ Ex-GOP (@pondlizard) August 16, 2016

https://twitter.com/BradThor/status/765618977229905924

.@BradThor pic.twitter.com/oQJp7oUuHP

— Brian Nichols (@BNicholsLiberty) August 16, 2016

https://twitter.com/BradThor/status/765619410031767554

while USS Conservative sinks? no thanks. Again DT = Right wing progressive. @EdMorrissey

— Charles (@repub9989) August 16, 2016

https://twitter.com/BradThor/status/765620050954973184

https://twitter.com/Mikemclendon/status/765619976787128320

https://twitter.com/BradThor/status/765620296778969088

Hate to disagree but Trump's nationalism/statism is just as harmful to liberty and more harmful to conservatism. Needs to die.

— Neil Hansen (@njh2005) August 16, 2016

https://twitter.com/BradThor/status/765620597489623044

https://twitter.com/actdrewary/status/765620713361436672

https://twitter.com/BradThor/status/765621067968876545

https://twitter.com/BradThor/status/765621468927492096

You can be clear as you wannabe. Doesn't make it the right call.

— Lee Southwell (@LeeSouthwell96) August 16, 2016

https://twitter.com/BradThor/status/765622420883566593

@actdrewary The ideology that wins this election WILL STRUGGLE in 2020 and beyond. Let the dems bite that bullet.

— Joel (@joel_alex_) August 16, 2016

https://twitter.com/BradThor/status/765622420883566593

Doesn't matter. Result is still gonna be 43-7. At least everybody thought Mcgovern was a good man. Trump that much worse.

— Jon Lustig (@jonlustig) August 16, 2016

https://twitter.com/BradThor/status/765622724836335616

https://twitter.com/BradThor/status/765623202143997953

Or we could all grow a set and vote for one who is not horrible.

— John Price (@JPrice02) August 16, 2016

https://twitter.com/BradThor/status/765623912814284800

I think that ship has sailed. Trump is tanking. Are you just trying to avoid being the on the #nevertrump side of the blame?

— 1024/PumpkinSpice (@Brksaj1) August 16, 2016

https://twitter.com/BradThor/status/765624180289179648

Sorry but supporting Trump at this point is just silly. Sell out for no reason. He's going to lose whether you support him or not

— Anne Zurmehly (@GmailAkzurm) August 16, 2016

https://twitter.com/BradThor/status/765624382974820352

A misogynist supported by the KKK, North Korea, and Putin, no less.

— LucyPevensie Ex-GOP (@LP6801) August 16, 2016

https://twitter.com/BradThor/status/765624500721516546

https://twitter.com/Skinny_Steve_A1/status/765624482421702661

https://twitter.com/BradThor/status/765624824471416833

Then you don't 'believe 100% in standing on principle'. You believe less than 100%.

— Marla NeverTrump AlwaysConservative Hughes (@MarlaMHughes) August 16, 2016

https://twitter.com/BradThor/status/765625143083339776

The best thing for #GOP: for Trump to be utterly humiliated & for all of the fools who supported him to lose credibility forever.

— Skin that smokewagon! (@heatpacker) August 16, 2016

https://twitter.com/BradThor/status/765625355629686784

Appreciate the thoughtfulness, the great analogy, & irony of #2's country of origin. Still, won't affix my name/vote to bad seeds.

— Teeeem? (@TexanCat) August 16, 2016

https://twitter.com/BradThor/status/765627127278473218

https://twitter.com/KFoleyFL/status/765621851292917760

https://twitter.com/BradThor/status/765627334892347392

@BradThor leaving #neverTrump because of absurd @hughhewitt "cancer cure" analogy's like deciding Trump can win because Dick Morris says so

— John Ziegler (@Zigmanfreud) August 16, 2016

https://twitter.com/BradThor/status/765627932341665792

The goal is to strengthen the Libertarian Party for the future. May be America's only salvation. https://t.co/wvun4xThQf

— Neal Boortz (@Talkmaster) August 16, 2016

https://twitter.com/BradThor/status/765628200785440768

https://twitter.com/BradThor/status/765628846704095232

https://twitter.com/BradThor/status/765630536421376001

Probably Hillary but I wouldn't count out Trump. He seems to love causing trouble!!

— Jennifer Irons (@TeamBobbyEwing) August 16, 2016

https://twitter.com/BradThor/status/765631155228012548

Probably Hillary but I wouldn't count out Trump. He seems to love causing trouble!!

— Jennifer Irons (@TeamBobbyEwing) August 16, 2016

https://twitter.com/BradThor/status/765631413832081408

From that perspective, it's worked. But @BradThor is assuming lesser evils fallacy has worked for conservatism. https://t.co/BQF44cuQfy

— TREY ☧ (@TreyMays) August 16, 2016

https://twitter.com/BradThor/status/765631794670669826

https://twitter.com/BradThor/status/765632472033988609

He's changed positions on EVERY SINGLE issue just since his campaign started.

— Erik (@SuperLooperAZ) August 16, 2016

https://twitter.com/BradThor/status/765632764481863685

https://twitter.com/BradThor/status/765633044262813696

authoritarianism and liberty are polar opposites

— Category0ne (@Category0ne) August 16, 2016

https://twitter.com/BradThor/status/765633989839351808

You people have been saying that since January. SMDH. Jus aren't getting it. He's not here to win…lmao.

— Geswho®️ (@TheGeswho) August 16, 2016

https://twitter.com/BradThor/status/765634291988566016

https://twitter.com/BradThor/status/765634561413943296

Won't listen to best people now and won't listen if by some miracle he's elected.

— Richard Saunders (@Minuteman_1756) August 16, 2016

https://twitter.com/BradThor/status/765634813856477184

what part of Trump looks like liberty to you? And what do you think liberty means?

— Enron Hubbard (@RevJackWagon) August 16, 2016

https://twitter.com/BradThor/status/765635055960072192

(Note: Thor still has a lot to say. You can follow the conversation here.

Some of Thor’s followers agree with his position, or at least understand where he’s coming from:

Your point above IS the bottom line. Glad you came over.

— Don Daughtry (@ddaughtry2) August 16, 2016

https://twitter.com/bertram25/status/765612780682637312

You make a fairly compelling case, Brad.

— Paul L O’Brien (@paul_L_obrien) August 16, 2016

https://twitter.com/TheTennStar/status/765614626717347840

Respect your position, have same respect for you. Still not participating. Most times, rock bottom is what it takes. natures cure

— Steve Kelly (@Skelly363) August 16, 2016

I disagree w/ this analogy but respect & admire your logical conclusion-2 choices-one will definitely continue our downward spiral

— Karen Walker (@walkerkpt) August 16, 2016

Respect the decision but jumping on a train that is derailing only lets the GOP know we will eventually go along to get along.

— 1024/PumpkinSpice (@Brksaj1) August 16, 2016

@dminor85 @BradThor I get where he is coming from we are running out of time

— FACT CHECK ❤️?CNN MSM???? (@pixiebell2008) August 16, 2016

I honestly don't hate people like @BradThor who are trying hard to make best of awful situation.

I don't agree w/him, but that's ok.

— Pradheep J. Shanker (@Neoavatara) August 16, 2016

– Respect your opinion, but I'm okay with dying on my principles. I'm old anyway.

— Brian Hoyt (@BrianHoyt3) August 16, 2016

Many others are just disappointed, to say the least:

https://twitter.com/apartment_2f/status/765613348851449860

https://twitter.com/Reaganomics2016/status/765627512940556288

.@BradThor Somewhat disappointed. I guess we can now, and forever, be counted on to "come around and get on board." Need to dwell on this.

— Paul Marsh Ex-GOP (@pdmarsh54661709) August 16, 2016

https://twitter.com/Natural_Econ/status/765613942332850178

https://twitter.com/ChuckNellis/status/765627221956583424

https://twitter.com/COgrandmom77/status/765613934049046528

.@BradThor I have immense respect for you. Don't cave. Don't give in. Our principles are bigger than temporal convenience. Stay strong.

— Demetrius Minor (@dminor85) August 16, 2016

nope. Not going down that road, can't do it.

— Tracy (@rubyfurie) August 16, 2016

It should make you anti-both! No matter how many books you've written this defies logic. I will not fall in line. No way. Period.

— Jeremy L (@stlcards778) August 16, 2016

Brad I can't handle the cancer. I'm willing to test the other drug. Wish we were on same page. I'm worried about our country

— Debra Garrett (@debragarrett) August 16, 2016

What happened to this guy? You will have to live w/ this decision after Trump's loss in Nov. https://t.co/tOlyRdk0qd

— (((AG))) (@AG_Conservative) August 16, 2016

Disappointing.

— Stephen Gutowski (@StephenGutowski) August 16, 2016

.@BradThor Trump is not a cure. He's a symptom.

— Gina Dalfonzo (@ginadalfonzo) August 16, 2016

https://twitter.com/Joseph_Curze/status/765613166248071168

Disagree. If cons embrace Trump he's ours, and conservatism is then replaced by Trumpism. This isn't about 4 years. It's about 40.

— Time For Choosing (@TimeForChoosing) August 16, 2016

If we don't stand on principles, then we fall for anything.

— “Quid Pro Quo” Susan (@KueblerSusan) August 16, 2016

Sorry but supporting Trump at this point is just silly. Sell out for no reason. He's going to lose whether you support him or not

— Anne Zurmehly (@GmailAkzurm) August 16, 2016

Trump has no chance anyway, so why get on the Titanic now? The only one going down is you. #Unfollow

— The Purple Corn Pop (@ThePurpleCat16) August 16, 2016

"We have to pass the bill to know what's in it" https://t.co/KPdp42wJh0

— Matt Dawson (@SaintRPh) August 16, 2016

https://twitter.com/FigDrewton/status/765616311149944832

So everything you said about Trump being another Chavez waiting in the wings was BS?

— Sean Wendt (@Writ3Wing3r) August 16, 2016

I mean you go from Trump being a dictator in the making to "well his justices might not be as bad".

— Sean Wendt (@Writ3Wing3r) August 16, 2016

Where the hell do you think we need be going? Toward Venezuela? You clearly understood that's where Trump takes us before.

— (((AG))) (@AG_Conservative) August 16, 2016

He's not going to, though. This would be a better argument if he hadn't basically already lost the election. https://t.co/o7sVoqAAta

— John Podhoretz (@jpodhoretz) August 16, 2016

Are you serious? You're permanently sinking the ship by tying it to Trump. We are going to lose a whole generation. https://t.co/PzmCIL1f09

— (((AG))) (@AG_Conservative) August 16, 2016

What do you think?

Editor’s note: This post has been updated with additional tweets.

***

Related:

Author Brad Thor outs Donald Trump as ‘strongman in waiting’

‘Liberty is my litmus test’: Brad Thor pens ‘powerful’ piece to ‘fully explain’ his stance on Trump vs. Hillary