Allies of Donald Trump say the former president, who lost in 2020, will announce as early as next week that he will run for the White House again in 2024. In case you doubt it. Mind you, Trump has already mocked his fellow Republicans and potential competitors before Tuesday’s midterm elections.
Trump held a rally in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, ostensibly to boost voter turnout for Republican senator Mehmet Oz and gubernatorial candidate Doug Mastriano. Mr. Trump backed both in the primary, and Mr. Mastriano trailed in the polls. Mr. Oz is in fierce competition with Lt. John Fetterman, and his loss could cost Republican control of the Senate. There is little doubt that David McCormick, who was narrowly defeated by Oz after Trump endorsed him, will easily beat far-left Fetterman.
But as usual with Mr. Trump, Larry is to Mr. Oz…himself. During the rally, Trump presented the results of recent polls on the 2024 Republican presidential nomination.
“We are the Republican Party winning big, big, big nominations like no one has ever seen before,” Trump said as the numbers rolled onto the screen. “Come on, 71 year old Trump. 10% Ron DeSanctimonias.”
It was an attack on Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who is currently running for re-election in Trump’s home state. DeSantis is leading the polls, but the election isn’t over yet. Perhaps Trump believes that if he can reduce the governor’s margin of victory on Tuesday, it will be less likely that DeSantis will challenge him for the nomination.
Trump continued, mocking the former vice president, who is also considering running for the White House. “Mike Pence, 7 – Oh, Mike was doing better than I thought,” he said.
Then he raised Texas Senator Ted Cruz, who ran against Mr. Trump in 2016 and may run again.
“By the way, Ted Cruz does a good job. He didn’t like me for a while, but we had to be friends, right? We could have taken him to the Supreme Court No way,” Trump said. “If I had brought him to the Supreme Court, I would have voted 100% in the Senate to oust him. Okay? Even the Democrats would have voted for him. Okay? But , he’s nice and smart and good.” Mr. Cruz’s attack on disgust is best understood as a warning not to run.
Trump wants to clear the Republican presidential precinct and knows that Mr. DeSantis has emerged as his strongest potential adversary in the past two years. If it declares next week, it would also be an attempt to discourage potential Justice Department indictments.
But focusing on his own prospects and criticizing fellow Republicans even before the critical midterm elections, Trump’s only unchanging principle is what’s good for Donald Trump. remind me again of
Journal Editorial Report: Four toss-up states determine who controls the US Senate. Image: Ted S. Warren/Associated Press
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