They are still the rarest of Republicans – those who have spoken out and stood up to President Donald Trump over the past year, willfully saying something he rarely hears: No.
Even as most of the GOP faithful remains squarely behind the president or unwilling to publicly step out of line, the list of those confident enough to defy Trump over policy and politics is growing. It’s a new moment for Trump, who has kept a tight hold over his party for most of the last decade.
The stresses and strains of the upcoming midterm election year may show whether the fractures in Trump’s base are truly deepening. That, of course, is far from certain. Yet this group of eight Republicans is notable for how they’ve gone against the grain to openly challenge Trump.
Here’s a look at the eight.
Is Trump’s grip on the GOP weakening? These eight Republicans tested him in 2025 | CNN Politics