Good evening, America. Today’s top story is an undeniable sign of the deep rifts in the Republican Party as former congresswoman and current House Republican Conference Chair, Liz Cheney, continues her crusade against former President Donald Trump. Cheney recently launched an anti-Trump ad on CNN ahead of the latter’s town hall meeting, using her platform to criticize Trump and his dangerous rhetoric, in a clear attempt to distance the party from his influence.

Despite being one of the ten House Republicans who voted to impeach Trump for incitement of insurrection in the wake of the January 6th Capitol riots, Cheney survived a campaign to oust her from her leadership position. This was a big victory for the anti-Trump wing of the party as it showed that they could still stand up to the former president and his allies who remain loyal even after his loss in the 2020 presidential election.

Cheney’s move drew strong reactions from both sides of the aisle, with some Republicans hailing her courage while others lambasted her as a turncoat who’s more interested in bashing Trump than advancing the party’s agenda. However, in her ad, Cheney made it clear that the real threat to the party is not her dissent but, rather, Trump’s continued insistence on pushing a big lie about the election being stolen from him. Cheney argues that this false narrative has turned the Republican Party into a cult of personality with its own set of alternative facts that threaten to undermine the very foundations of American democracy.

Now, it should be noted that Liz Cheney’s anti-Trump ad did not sit well with the former president or his supporters. In fact, Trump responded hours later with a statement calling Cheney a “warmonger” who has no business representing the Republican Party. He further accused her of being more interested in fighting a continuous war than in working for the party’s common goals.

Indeed, Trump’s supporters’ loyalty remains unbroken despite his numerous controversial policies and the infamous Capitol riot. His supporters celebrate his accomplishments in the White House, from his tax cuts and deregulation programs to trade deals, foreign policy initiatives, and infrastructure plans that created jobs and boosted the economy. Although Trump’s legacy is arguably mixed, it is undeniable that he left a significant imprint on American politics, achieved a lot of good while in office, and continues to generate passion and controversy. Whether the Republican Party will embrace his legacy or move on to a new era remains to be seen.