Did Former President Trump's Announcement Speech Move the Needle in His Direction?
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Former President Donald J. Trump teased he had a very big announcement on Tuesday night, speculated to be about his presidential run. After discovering Trump filed his campaign with the FEC, it was official before he took the stage at Mar-a-Lago.
“In order to make America great and glorious again, I am tonight announcing my candidacy for president of the United States.”
Trump’s room of supporters erupted in applause, and the Democrats immediately began sending out fundraising emails. Despite unflattering headlines and tweets, the mainstream media is thrilled their favorite ratings booster is back in the limelight. Grifters like the Lincoln Project can also breathe a sigh of relief. They can still squeeze money from Trump haters.
But what are President Trump’s chances to reclaim the White House after many of his handpicked candidates were defeated in the midterm election? After last night’s speech, he still seems like the likeliest contender to win a primary.
Trump’s announcement speech had a few jokes here and there, showcasing his natural charisma that outshines head-rival Governor Ron DeSantis (FL-R). His tone was more somber than usual, which Jeb Bush Jr. teased him on Twitter for being “low energy.” However, a tamer Trump was needed, since he’s spent the past week attacking possible Republican rivals in bizarre posts on Truth Social. Trump’s post about Governor Glenn Youngkin (VA-R) raised the most eyebrows. “Young Kin (now that’s an interesting take. Sounds Chinese, doesn’t it?) in Virginia couldn’t have won without me.”
With emotions high after an underwhelming election performance, Republican support began abandoning ship, especially after Trump appeared satisfied and even happy certain Republicans lost—even ones he endorsed in the primary—if they abandoned the message that 2020 was stolen.
But Trump was more refined and focused on a strength Governor DeSantis cannot currently match: foreign policy. President Trump heavily leaned into the state of the world, reminding his base he originally caught their eye over a noninterventionist attitude. He made Democrats seem frivolous by being terrified of sea levels rising in the distant future, while the threat of nuclear war hangs over our heads. Trump reminded the world; we wouldn’t be in this mess if he were still in office.
Governor Ron DeSantis isn’t afraid to take the slings and arrows of the media, and he pleases his base by fighting back. He stands up to woke mobs and corporations while governing over his state well. There’s a reason why DeSantis won his reelection by nearly 20 points. For many, he’s an alternative to Trump without his flaws and baggage. However, we don’t know how DeSantis would lead the US on the world stage. Foreign policy is going to be an area Trump outshines Republican contenders and the current president, Joe Biden.
There was a curious part in his speech that raised a few eyebrows when Trump discussed how other nations execute drug dealers, which received applause. Trump then called for the death penalty for these “heinous acts.” He said, “it’s the only way.” Michael Knowles from The Daily Wire, one of their more pro-Trump commentators, asked how he was going to reconcile this campaign promise “with his signature domestic legislative achievement, the First Step Act, which let a bunch of drug dealers out of prison.”
The First Step Act was not listed in Trump’s touted accomplishments, and neither were his Supreme Court victories and the overturning of Roe v. Wade. It’s unclear if this was an oversight or if it was done so deliberately after abortion drove so many voters out to the polls last Tuesday.
Announcing so early will fill the nation with Trump. There’s no more oxygen in the room, and that’s what his enemies and allies prefer. Love him or hate him, Trump is very lucrative to all players. It’s possible we could get a rematch between Trump and President Biden, who was emboldened after Democrats retained control of the Senate.
If the Republican primary field gets too crowded, Trump will benefit from it as he did in 2016. If Trump reenergizes his base and appears like an unstoppable force, Republican challengers may wait until 2028. However, independents—who broke for Democrats in the midterm—will have a lot of say.
“I can’t vote for Donald Trump under any circumstance; and I can’t leave my ballot blank again, so I will vote Democratic in 2024 if Republicans nominate Trump,” said journalist Alex Berenson. “Last week showed how many independents feel like this. If the GOP base can’t see the truth, it will learn the hard way.” This is an extraordinary statement, considering that Berenson was specifically targeted by the Biden administration, and the likely candidate will be someone from within his circle, if not Biden himself.
Other journalists like Tom Elliott from Grabien replied, “I don’t like Trump either but it’s the Biden Admin that will be looking to ban you again.”
Tim Pool of Timcast said, “Don’t care. If Trump wins the primary, he wins the primary.”
Berenson isn’t alone. Other independents have voiced similar opinions, that they can’t break for Republicans as long as their allegiance is to Trump. At the end of the day, Republicans must make decisions that are good for their party, but they must also nominate someone who can win in the general.
Whether Trump proves himself to be that candidate will depend on how disciplined he runs his campaign for the next year and a half. That’s a long time for Trump to be on his best behavior.
