McCarthy’s efforts to cultivate supporters and gain influence ultimately backfired. The far-right politics he espoused and the tactics he employed to try and capture the Republican base alienated moderates, independents, and many of his own supporters. This led many of his hard-line supporters to abandon him and join hardline factions led by other politicians. In the end, McCarthy was left with a diminished following, unable to quell the forces of disruption that had threatened to consume him. The chaotic and fragmented Republican landscape he helped create eventually led to his downfall as a leader and attempted influencer.
McCarthy thought he could harness forces of disruption. Instead they devoured him.
