Jeb Bush's emergence as the front-runner for the GOP nomination for president in early 2015 is widely considered the primary catalyst for Donald Trump's decision to enter the presidential race in June of that year. Trump saw an opportunity to challenge the Bush dynasty and shake up the establishment, capitalizing on the dissatisfaction with conventional politics within the Republican voter base. Although Bush would later struggle against Trump's populist surge in the primaries, his initial lead prompted Trump's campaign to begin. In fact, the MAGA (Make America Great Again) movement can trace its start to a high-level GOP meeting in Salt Lake City, where the dissatisfaction with establishment politics was palpable, setting the stage for Trump's outsider campaign.
 

The January 2015 meeting between Jeb Bush and Mitt Romney at Romney's home in Salt Lake City became a pivotal moment in the early stages of the 2016 Republican presidential primaries. Both were seen as potential frontrunners representing the establishment wing of the party. The meeting was described as a gentlemanly exchange where they discussed their respective strategies for a presidential run. This conversation was crucial because it acknowledged the competition for the support of the GOP establishment, which included donors, political operatives, and party leaders. Jeb Bush, with his deep political roots and a successful governorship of Florida, emerged from this meeting with an understanding that he was likely to garner the establishment's favor.
 

Following this meeting, it became clear that the GOP establishment was leaning towards supporting Jeb Bush. His campaign was viewed as a continuation of the influential Bush political dynasty. Bush aimed to present himself as a conservative with a proven track record, appealing to both the base and moderates, while his stances on education and immigration were thought to be more broadly appealing. However, Mitt Romney, despite his previous presidential bids and reputation as a "turnaround artist," faced the reality that his time might have passed, especially after his 2008 and 2012 losses. By January 30, Romney decided not to run, acknowledging that the party was looking for new leadership. This shift of support to Bush inadvertently fueled Trump's campaign and the rise of the MAGA movement as an anti-establishment force.