Trump Announces 2024 Presidential Campaign

Former president Donald Trump (R) announced his 2024 presidential campaign on Tuesday, Nov. 15 from the ballroom of his Mar-a-Lago resort. Trump is the first GOP candidate to announce his campaign and is expected to be challenged for the Republican presidential candidacy by current Florida Governor Ron DeSanstis (R).

With the 2022 midterm elections concluding, the 2024 Presidential election might still seem like a far away quandary. But what does Trump’s announcement indicate for the close future of American politics?

News organizations such as “The Washington Post,” “CNBC,” “The Independent,” and others speculate whether Trump’s re-election campaign is already showing signs of consequence. Lara Trump, television producer for Fox News and daughter-in-law to the former president, was released from Fox News following Donald Trump’s announcement. 

One possible explanation for her separation from the network comes from Fox News owner Rupert Murdoch himself. Murdoch reportedly stated that Fox News Network would not back the former president in his next campaign.

“The current American political debate is profound… It is crucial that conservatives play an active, forceful role in that debate, but that will not happen if President Trump stays focused on the past. The past is the past, and the country is now in a contest to define the future.” Murdoch said in a shareholder address.

Without one of his greatest sources of media coverage and support, Trump looks down a long and strenuous road to the White House against the younger Desantis, who stands to run without the baggage of two impeachments, a presidential campaign loss, and both federal and criminal investigation.

While this doesn’t guarantee who voters will choose in the 2024 primary election, it goes to show Trump’s campaign is unlikely to succeed on momentum alone. A poll conducted by YouGov following the midterm election suggests that Republicans favor DeSantis over Trump by 46% to 39%. 

Despite his potential competition within the Republican party, Trump seemed focused on a rematch with President Biden in his 65 minute speech.

“In order to make America great and glorious again, I am tonight announcing my candidacy for president of the United States… I will ensure that Joe Biden does not receive four more years.” Trump said. 

But he left room to dig at contenders within his own party, too, “Taking on the most corrupt forces and entrenched interests imaginable [is] not a task for a politician or a conventional candidate. This is a task for a great movement.” Trump said. Notably, he dismisses DeSantis as “an average Republican Governor with great public relations.”

The next two years are sure to be ones of high contention, political mud-slinging, and tense partisanship, following the lead of the past two presidential elections. Voting in America, you can’t count your chickens before they hatch, but you can participate in public polling to help gauge what upcoming elections might look like and how to prepare for them.