Former President Trump returns to campaign trail, vows to be ‘more angry and committed’ in 2024 bid
Former President Trump’s 2024 White House bid kick off
Former US President Trump is set to kick off his 2024 White House bid on Saturday with visits to a pair of early-voting states, his first campaign events since announcing his latest run more than two months ago. Trump will be the keynote speaker at the New Hampshire GOP’s annual meeting before traveling to Columbia, South Carolina, where he is set to introduce his state leadership team.
Show of force behind the former president
New Hampshire and South Carolina hold two of the party’s first three nominating contests, giving them enormous power in selecting the nominee. Trump and his allies hope the events will offer a show of force behind the former president after a sluggish start to his campaign that left many questioning his commitment to running again.
Outreach to political operatives and elected officials for support
In recent weeks, his backers have reached out to political operatives and elected officials to secure support for Trump at a critical point when other Republicans are preparing their own expected challenges. “The gun is fired, and the campaign season has started,” said Stephen Stepanek, outgoing chair of the New Hampshire Republican Party who served as co-chair of Trump’s 2016 campaign in the state.
Potential challengers including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former Vice President Mike Pence, and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley
While Trump remains the only declared 2024 presidential candidate, potential challengers, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former Vice President Mike Pence and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, who was Trump’s ambassador to the United Nations, are expected to get their campaign underway in the coming months. In South Carolina, Gov. Henry McMaster, U.S. Sen.
Trump’s team struggles to line up support from state lawmakers
Lindsey Graham and several members of the state’s congressional delegation plan to attend Saturday’s event at the Statehouse. But Trump’s team has struggled to line up support from state lawmakers, even some who eagerly backed him during previous runs. Some have said that more than a year out from primary balloting is too early to make endorsements or that they’ are waiting to see who else enters the race.
Others have said it is time for the party to move past Former US President Trump to a new generation of leadership. Republican state Rep. RJ May, vice chair of South Carolina’s state House Freedom Caucus, said he wasn’t going to attend Trump’s event because he was focused on that group’s legislative fight with the GOP caucus. He indicated that he was open to other candidates in the 2024 race.
Dave Wilson, president of conservative Christian nonprofit Palmetto Family, said some conservative voters may have concerns about Former US President Trump’s recent comments that Republicans who opposed abortion without exceptions had cost the party in the November elections. “It gives pause to some folks within the conservative ranks of the Republican Party as to whether or not we need the process to work itself out,” said Wilson, whose group hosted Pence for a speech in 2021.
He added: “You continue to have to earn your vote. Nothing is taken for granted.” Acknowledging that Trump “did some phenomenal things when he was president,” like securing a conservative U.S. Supreme Court majority, Wilson said South Carolina’s GOP voters may be seeking “a candidate who can be the standard-bearer not only for now but to build ongoing momentum across America for conservatism for the next few decades.
But Gerri McDaniel, who worked on Former US President Trump’s 2016 campaign and will be attending Saturday’s event, rejected the idea that voters were ready to move on from the former president. “Some of the media keep saying he’s losing his support. No, he’s not,” she said. “It’s only going to be greater than it was before because there are so many people who are angry about what’s happening in Washington.” The South Carolina eventis expected to be a show of strength for Former US President Trump and his supporters as he kicks off his 2024 White House bid.
The former President will be visiting New Hampshire and South Carolina, two early-voting states that hold two of the party’s first three nominating contests. The events will be an opportunity for Former US President Trump to rally support from political operatives and elected officials and to secure support for his campaign at a critical point when other Republicans are preparing their own expected challenges.
Criticism from some who say it’s too early to make endorsements or that they are waiting to see who else enters the race
Trump’s team has struggled to line up support from state lawmakers, even some who eagerly backed him during previous runs. While Former US President Trump remains the only declared 2024 presidential candidate, potential challengers, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former Vice President Mike Pence, and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, are expected to get their campaign underway in the coming months. However, Trump’s team is facing criticism from some who say it’s too early to make endorsements or that they are waiting to see who else enters the race. Others have said it is time for the party to move past Former US President Trump to a new generation of leadership.
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