Trump Launches 2024 Presidential Bid

Topline

Former President Donald Trump said Tuesday night he’s making another run for president, setting off what’s expected to be a fiery and highly competitive 2024 Republican presidential contest, framed by a worse-than-expected performance for the GOP during last week’s midterms.

Key Facts

Crucial Quote

“Two years ago we were a great nation and soon we will be a great nation again,” Trump said.

Key Background

Trump has been the dominant figure in the Republican Party for six years, but he enters the 2024 race as a weakened candidate after several of his most high-profile endorsements lost in last week’s midterm elections. Many political observers have blamed Trump and his insistence that Republicans continue to push false claims of widespread fraud in the 2020 election as a reason Republicans fell short of expectations in the midterms, failing to win the Senate and appearing on course for a slim House majority despite predictions of a “red wave.” Polls suggest Trump might still be the Republican favorite—for now—in the 2024 primaries, but DeSantis is quickly gaining momentum after winning reelection in a landslide last week, one of the few shining bright spots for the GOP in an otherwise disappointing election. Some of Trump’s erstwhile supporters, including former Vice President Mike Pence and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, are also considering 2024 Republican runs, along with Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.), who is staunchly conservative yet has been ostracized from the GOP due to her vote to impeach Trump over the January 6 storming of the Capitol and her choice to serve on the House committee investigating the riot.

What To Watch For

A 2024 primary calendar has not been set but the first votes are expected to be in the Iowa caucuses, which in 2020 took place on February 3. Debates will likely begin next year.

Tangent

Trump enters the race with growing legal baggage stemming from the turbulent end to his first term in office, most notably over a trove of highly classified documents found in August during an FBI raid of Mar-A-Lago, which could reportedly lead to federal criminal charges. Federal prosecutors investigating the January 6 riot have also reportedly asked questions about Trump’s attempt to remain in office after the 2020 election, and state prosecutors are looking into Trump and his allies’ push to overturn Biden’s win in Georgia, though his legal exposure in both probes is unclear. He is also facing numerous investigations and lawsuits into his business dealings, including a suit from New York Attorney General Letitia James (D) accusing him and his family members of purposely misvaluing their assets for financial gain.

What To Watch For

The presidential run could complicate the Department of Justice’s investigations into Trump. CNN reported federal prosecutors have discussed potentially asking an independent special counsel to oversee the probes, in part because of concerns the Biden Administration could be accused of using the DOJ to attack a political rival.

Further Viewing

Further Reading

Trump Organization Settles Lawsuit With Protesters Alleging Assault—Here’s Where Other Cases Involving Ex-President’s Business Stand (Forbes)

Trump-Backed Candidates Have Mixed Showing In Midterms—And Trump Is Reportedly Furious (Forbes)

Less Than Half Of Republican Voters Would Back Trump In 2024 Primary, Poll Finds (Forbes)

Chris Christie Applauded For Trump Digs—Here Are The Other GOP Leaders Who Have Strayed From Trump After Midterm Losses (Forbes)

Trump Castigates Ron DeSantis—And Fox News—As Conservative Outlets Blame Him For Midterm Results (Forbes)

Miami-Dade Goes Red: GOP Scores Massive Midterm Election Wins In Once-Democratic Stronghold (Forbes)

Trump Mar-A-Lago Investigation: What To Know As Ex-President Goes To Supreme Court (Forbes)