Is Elder's defeat a death rattle for Trumpism or merely the sound of a kids toy rattle?

The David Cay Johnson article “A clear repudiation: Larry Elder's mammoth defeat may signal the death rattle of Trumpism” equivocates. It begins accurately calling Elder’s loss “a clear repudiation” but uses the word “may” as to whether this is the death rattle of Trumpism. Indeed, it may, but then again, it may not.

His main points:

• The overwhelming rejection of the effort to recall California Governor Gavin Newsom is a powerful message for those Republicans who think their future lies with Donald Trump and Trumpism. It doesn't.
• That's a clear sign that Trump's influence is waning -- especially since Trump weighed in to support the recall. That's a clear sign that Trump's influence is waning -- especially since Trump weighed in to support the recall.
• Trumpism can't grow and regain power when all its got are made up tales of vote fraud. California voters just proved it by overwhelming margins at the polls.

An actual death rattle is a medical phenomenon. It sometime happens to a patient shortly before they die. The are not experiencing physical distress at the time but it is disturbing to relatives who hear it. 

If David Cay Johnson is correct then candidates across the country running in all but the most pro-Trump states who attach themselves too closely to Trump are likely to loose either to Democrats in general elections or never-Trump Republicans in primaries.

If and when Trumpism dies will it go gently with a quiet death rattle? I think not. My sense is that it will probably expire with the sound and fury of denial, desperation, and as suggested in the following quote, possibly outbursts of violent protests.

Elder's website engaged in the same kind of incitement, insinuating that his supporters might have to reach for "the ammo box" if their legal challenge to Newsom's as-yet-non-existent-victory were unsuccessful. From “Republicans show signs that they've given up on elections”

Thursday, Sep 16, 2021 · 11:29:49 AM +00:00 · HalBrown

‘Study Newsom’s playbook’: what Democrats – and Republicans – can learn from California’s recall

Governor’s strategy could help Democrats in some states but also offers them a warning

from The Guardian