In "How Democracies Die" by Steven Levitsky, the author argues that the failure of Republican leaders to break from Donald Trump ultimately reinforced his position within the party. By not openly condemning Trump's threat to democratic norms and institutions, these leaders contributed to his rise to power, which could have been avoided had they prioritized their commitment to democracy over party loyalty.

Levitsky suggests that a strong and unified denunciation from the GOP, including a potential endorsement of Hillary Clinton, might have significantly altered the political landscape. This scenario highlights the crucial responsibilities of political leaders in safeguarding democratic values, which, according to Levitsky, were neglected in favor of short-term party gains.