Former Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan Declares Republican Party 'Gone for Good' Under Trump's Control

Former Georgia Republican Lieutenant Governor Geoff Duncan recently asserted that the Republican Party, as he knew it, is "gone for good," attributing its transformation to former President Donald Trump's pervasive influence. Speaking on CNN, Duncan offered a stark assessment of the GOP's current state, stating, > "Trump completely controls the entire GOP. The only example I can give is like a rogue cult leader coming into a church and taking it over. He's brainwashed them. You don't have to look further than the zombiesque reaction recently. This is not the Republican Party I grew in. I think it's gone for good."

Duncan, who served as Georgia's 12th Lieutenant Governor from 2019 to 2023, has been a vocal critic of Donald Trump since the 2020 presidential election. He notably refused to support false claims of widespread voter fraud in Georgia and chose not to seek re-election in 2022, instead dedicating his efforts to what he termed the "GOP 2.0" movement, aimed at reforming the party post-Trump. His consistent opposition to the former president's narrative has positioned him as a prominent figure among anti-Trump Republicans.

His recent comments come amidst ongoing internal struggles within the Republican Party regarding its identity and future direction. Duncan's public stance, including his endorsement of President Joe Biden in the 2024 election and later Kamala Harris, led to his unanimous expulsion from the Georgia Republican Party's executive committee in January 2025. Following his expulsion, Duncan remarked on CNN, asking, "What took them so long?" and expressing a disinterest in being associated with a group he believes prioritizes "chaos and confusion."

Duncan's strong remarks underscore the deep divisions that continue to shape the Republican landscape. As a CNN political commentator, he frequently highlights the challenges he perceives within the GOP, advocating for a return to traditional conservative principles rather than what he describes as a personality-driven political movement. His analysis reflects a broader sentiment among some former and current Republicans who believe the party has fundamentally shifted under Trump's leadership.