While he's purposefully remained ambiguous about the date and details of a White House run for months, it now appears that former President Donald Trump's 2024 plans are etched in stone.
That's according to multiple reports – and a strong hint from the man himself.
In a recent interview with New York magazine's Olivia Nuzzi, Trump strongly implied he had already decided to run.
Nuzzi wrote:
“Well, in my own mind, I've already made that decision, so nothing factors in anymore. In my own mind, I've already made that decision,” he said.
He wouldn't disclose what he'd decided. Not at first. But then he couldn't help himself. “I would say my big decision will be whether I go before or after,” he said. “You understand what that means?” His tone was conspiratorial. Was he referring to the midterm elections? He repeated after me: “Midterms.” Suddenly, he relaxed, as though my speaking the word had somehow set it free for discussion. “Do I go before or after? That will be my big decision,” he said. [emphasis added]
He was thinking aloud now. “I just think that there are certain assets to before,” he said. “Let people know. I think a lot of people would not even run if I did that because, if you look at the polls, they don't even register. Most of these people. And I think that you would actually have a backlash against them if they ran. People want me to run.”
In response, the Washington Examiner compiled a list of recent articles that seemingly corroborated Nuzzi's piece, including one from Politico yesterday that highlighted conversations between Trump and wealthy donors about the pros and cons of announcing his candidacy before the midterms. Another, published in The Washington Post, noted that advisers are urging Trump to wait until after the midterms to announce his candidacy.
Trump demurred when Nuzzi asked if he was looking to announce in September, as some of his allies have claimed.
Polling consistently shows Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis as Trump's closest matchup in a hypothetical GOP primary field. A recent poll from The New York Times/Siena College indicated roughly one-half of Republican voters prefer another candidate.
Outside of the GOP base, polling suggests voters don't like Trump or Biden for 2024. A Politico/Morning Consult survey released this week showed that 48% of respondents think Trump definitely should not run for president. A further 13% think he probably should not run. Meanwhile, 46% of those surveyed believe Biden should not run for reelection, and 18% said he should retire.
& rerun 2016 campaign & 2020??
Best be Kingmaker & adviser
Trump did so much for the good of this country and its people, I cannot see why he wouldn’t run and win. Compared to what we have now, it is like there is nobody in the White House and no Congress or FBI or Secret Service, just nobody working for the people of the United States. Seems everywhere you look, it is just lies and corruption.
That’s too bad. I was hoping he wouldn’t, but I’m not surprised. Don’t screw it us for us, Donald. This is serious business. However, if you can snag the nomination I’ll have no choice but to vote for you. I’d rather have someone without the baggage you’ll bring along, but such is life. Humility clearly isn’t one of your strong points