Trump relishes Republican establishment's scorn as Bush and Romney oppose him

As traditional GOP power-brokers defect from party, president welcomes the criticism from the ‘haters and losers,’ US political correspondent Griffin Connolly writes

Donald Trump is running his 2020 campaign as if he's still an outside disruptor and not the incumbent. (Photo courtesy Getty Images) (Getty)

President Donald Trump is deeply divisive, and he knows it.

He has known it for a long time. He even appears to relish it.

“I would like to wish everyone, including all haters and losers (of which, sadly, there are many) a truly happy and enjoyable Memorial Day!” he famously tweeted on 24 May 2015, just three weeks before he announced his candidacy for presidency at Trump Tower in New York City.