Following a period of sustained recrimination, the Republican Party has convened an emergency summit to address what delegates describe, in a joint communiqué, as a catastrophic blame shift. The summit, designated Session RNC-26/11, will be held at a neutral venue in Alexandria, Virginia, with observers from four factions and one unaffiliated donor who has asked not to be named.
Sources familiar with the planning confirm that the agenda was drafted in accordance with established de-escalation protocol. Item one concerns the allocation of responsibility for the midterm results. Item two concerns the president’s stated focus on his legacy, which several delegations have characterised as a disproportionate allocation of attention. Item three concerns voter concerns, which were acknowledged in the preliminary briefing and subsequently reclassified as a matter for a future working group.
Speaking to the BBC, one senior figure described the situation as ‘a disaster.’ The summit’s communications office has asked that the term be used with care. Delegates have agreed to a temporary ceasefire on public statements pending the outcome of bilateral talks. Those talks will be conducted through intermediaries, who have been instructed not to use the word ‘betrayal’ in any written record.
The party’s position remains that the situation is under control and that all sides are committed to unity. Any suggestion of a standoff is considered premature.