(New York) “A Republican star is born. »
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With these five words published on Twitter on November 15, 2019, Donald Trump had put Elise Stefanik, then 35 years old, into orbit. That day, the Republican representative from New York, whose huge constituency borders Quebec, defended the president tooth and nail, at the start of the first impeachment procedure targeting him. She posed as a bulwark between “the Democrats and American democracy”.
It was a dramatic turnaround for the Harvard graduate who had previously opposed Donald Trump on several issues, including climate, taxes and free trade. But this change of heart was only a prelude to a transformation which would earn the New Yorker to be described by The Press of “Quebec’s Trumpist neighbor” in May 2021. At the time, Quebec could hope to benefit, given its trajectory in Washington.
A few days later, Elise Stefanik would also dislodge her Republican colleague from Wyoming Liz Cheney from her position of number three in the Republican hierarchy in the House of Representatives. She owed this promotion in particular to her adherence to Donald Trump’s Big Lie about the 2020 presidential election.
However, this Republican star disappeared from the radar last Friday.
One-sided loyalty
In a statement released just as the Justice Department unsealed part of the Epstein files, Elise Stefanik announced that she was ending her campaign for governor of New York State, which will be at stake in 2026. At the same time, she informed voters in her district that she would not seek a seventh term as representative.
“This decision was not taken lightly for our family,” said the mother of a young boy.
His critics see his story as a perfect example of the danger faced by anyone who sells their soul to Donald Trump. In the end, despite all the compromises, this person risks losing everything.
Elise Stefanik’s allies must at least admit that loyalty is not a two-way street in Donald Trump’s eyes.
Elise Stefanik will have said and done almost everything to demonstrate her loyalty to Donald Trump. In November 2022, while several Republicans blamed the ex-president for disappointing results during the midterm elections, she announced that she would support him for the 2024 presidential election.
Donald Trump, it should be noted, had not yet even announced his candidacy.
Prestigious nomination
She did not hesitate, moreover, to amplify Donald Trump’s speech against illegal immigration by adopting a version of the racist theory of the Great Replacement.
“Their plan to grant amnesty to 11 million illegal immigrants will transform today’s electorate and create a permanent liberal majority in Washington,” she said in an ad, making an unfounded accusation against Democrats.
For a period, his name was mentioned in Donald Trump’s list of potential running mates. The latter consoled her for having preferred JD Vance by appointing her ambassador of the United States to the United Nations. Position with a sumptuous penthouse valued at $16 million.
But Elise Stefanik’s confirmation to her post by the Senate was delayed. We first wanted her to stay in Washington to participate in some crucial votes in the House, where the Republican majority was tiny.
Then the White House created a surprise by withdrawing its candidacy for the UN. There was fear of defeat in a by-election.
“There are others who can do a good job at the United Nations,” Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Therefore, Elise will remain in Congress. »
Praise for Mamdani
Elise Stefanik, who had already enrolled her young son in a new school in Manhattan, must have felt this decision like a stab in the back.
But his president had another betrayal in store for him.
Since announcing her campaign for governor of New York State in mid-September, Elise Stefanik has worked to establish a connection between outgoing Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul and New York Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, a socialist Democrat.
“She supported this communist,” she said indignantly on Fox News on the day of the launch of her campaign.
The representative had already called Zohran Mamdani a “jihadist” and an “anti-Semite”. However, Donald Trump completely undermined his argument during the visit of the mayor-designate of New York to the Oval Office on November 21.
“Do you think you are sitting next to a jihadist? », asked a journalist, referring to Elise Stefanik’s criticism.
“I met a person who is very rational. I met a person who really wants to make New York great again,” the president replied.
Elise Stefanik can console herself: she will now have more time to visit her northern neighbor with her family.
