Third party surprise

What if the third party run in the USA is the GOP?  A populist storm with Trump out in front could own the Republican brand.   The McConnells and Boehners and Cheneys would be the splinter in 2020 trying to re-brand for the good old days, a bit like the Progressive Conservatives trying to get their party back from the rednecks out of Alberta.  Clever Trump got in some points with the Palin crowd today.  He's no conservative but he's zeitgeist.