As for former President Trump’s 2024 campaign, Republican leaders have refused to publicly endorse him, even though he leads in most primaries.
Prominent Republicans in early-voting states such as Iowa and South Carolina have withheld their support.
As Republican ambitions begin to harden, and Trump’s most formidable primary opponent, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-Florida), is believed to be close to bidding for his own White House. I am becoming hesitant to participate.
“They’re waiting to see what happens with the Trump campaign,” said Brian Seychik, an Arizona-based Republican strategist and Trump campaign alum.
“I think people who support Donald Trump want the campaign to be about inflation, securing borders, talking about the success of his administration.” Also how the lace was stolen from him and he doesn’t get enough credit for this or not enough credit for it I think you’re afraid of that.”
Last week, Trump made his first notable entry into the 2024 campaign, visiting New Hampshire and South Carolina, where early voting is important. The former president addressed officials at the New Hampshire Republican Party’s annual convention and unveiled his leadership in South Carolina at the Columbia State Capitol.
Key figures such as South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster (Republican) and Senator Lindsey Graham (Republican) attended the event, which drew an audience of 200 people. Still, Trump hasn’t pulled out the number of her endorsements she did during the final election campaign of 2020. She plans to challenge her former boss.
“If you’re a former president, why aren’t all the Republicans in South Carolina supporting you?” a former spokesperson for Trump’s inaugural committee and former executive director of the South Carolina Republican Party. One Alex Stroman said:
The scaled-down nature of Trump’s campaign, which took place over the weekend, raised eyebrows among observers accustomed to his usually crowded and raucous rallies. said it could be a sign of a decline in the company’s stock price, while others said it was likely part of a broader strategy.
One alumni of Trump’s 2016 and 2020 presidential campaigns told The Hill that more intimate events make Trump look more president.
“It was smart to do that,” said the alum. “It’s a classic hit, so who’s Larry’s x-factor? How are you going to go? Is he just going too far off script?”
Of course, Trump still has plenty of time to formally endorse his fellow Republicans.upon Politico reported on Tuesday Senator J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), who Trump endorsed in 2022, told allies that he plans to endorse Trump in 2024. his support.
And Trump continues to hold a strong lead in most of the 2024 polls.Ann Emerson University Survey Trump, released last week, was shown to have a 26-point lead over DeSantis. Harvard CAPS-Harris Poll Last week’s data showed Trump leading DeSantis by 20 points.
“The reality of this situation is that he is leading in all these polls because people have been hurting over the last few years. I believe he’s the one who’ll get us back on track,” freshman Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-Texas), a supporter of the former president, said in an interview with The Hill.
Other Republicans are more skeptical, arguing that Trump’s early campaign entry will give him an advantage in near-term polls.
“When you’re the only one in a race, it’s easy to be the frontrunner,” Stroman said.
Republicans, both Trump supporters and critics, say they expect a solid 2024 primary.
DeSantis, by and large, is seen by many in the Republican Party as the next best thing to succeed the former president, and seems to be tipping his candidacy in 2024. Other candidates said to be considering a presidential run include Haley, former Vice President Mike Pence, former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin (Republican). . Senator Tim Scott (RS.C.) has also emerged as a front-runner and is expected to attend the Polk County Iowa Republican annual Lincoln dinner next month.
While various Republicans say they are waiting to see how the primaries play out, Trump supporters say the former president’s record is reason enough to endorse him out of the gate. It claims to be
“I think all these people are great and will be great leaders in the future, but the reason they haven’t resonated yet is because they haven’t proven themselves yet,” Hunt said. I got
However, Trump has been uttering harsher words to those who are trying to challenge him, especially DeSantis.
“I think it would be a huge act of dishonesty because I let him in. He didn’t stand a chance. His political life is over,” Trump said. told the Associated Press Saturday.
Trump’s brief words sent a strong signal to DeSantis, who was once considered one of the president’s key supporters.
“He clearly fears the ascension of Ron DeSantis and wants to cut him off as soon as possible.” I think that there.”
Florida’s governor hit back at Trump on Tuesday, contrasting Trump’s re-election success in 2022 with his predecessor’s failure in 2020.
“People can make a decision about whether to run you for re-election. It’s Florida history,” DeSantis applauded.
And while Republican critics of Trump say the primary won’t be the coronation of the former president, they also argue that it won’t be the coronation of DeSantis either.
In 2016, Trump had great success by giving his Republican opponents insulting nicknames. .
“This is a test of willpower and stamina on so many levels, and surviving Donald Trump’s daily and possibly hourly assaults is part of the process,” Seychik said.
Trump’s endorsed candidates underperformed significantly in last year’s general election, but his brand nevertheless proved successful in the primary.
“He’s still a man to beat, as evidenced by his success in the primary, not a general, as evidenced by his success in last year’s primary,” Seychik said. “It’s a pretty tough cliff to jump off unless someone shows they have the will and the grit to stand up to Donald Trump.”
