The hints are getting louder and the signs clearer that Donald J. Trump will run for president in 2024. Last weekend the former president all but said he plans to take on the Democrats again but won't make an official declaration at this time. However, here is what he did say:
"It is getting to a point where we really have no choice."
"… actually, for me, it's an easy question. I mean, I know what I'm going to do, but I'm not supposed to be talking about it yet from the standpoint of campaign finance laws, which, frankly, are ridiculous."
"I think you're going to be happy."
Add these comments to the ones previously made by others, and you have a distinct picture of Trump's political intentions. At the end of March, former first daughter-in-law Lara was asked about Trump's political future. She answered, "You do have hope, that I can tell you, you do have hope." Just last week, Representative Jim Jordan (R-OH) was overheard telling supporters, "He's gonna run again." When queried further, Jordan doubled down, "I know so. Yeah. I talked to him yesterday."
The Oval Office Beckons
These not-so-subtle hints are clear indications that Trump will throw his hat in the ring – to quote a phrase – "at the day and hour of his choosing." Current events will dictate part of his timing, but another component will be determined in light of current campaign finance laws. The Federal Election Commission states:
"… a candidate must file official reports with the government after he or she decides to run and raises or spends more than $5,000. However, the agency also provides a ‘testing the waters’ exemption. That allows potential candidates to raise and spend money while they weigh their decision, without having to file reports. That exemption, however, comes with an important caveat: that money used in this period is subject to federal campaign finance limits."
Trump certainly has a left-over war chest from the 2020 race and may not want to come under campaign finance rules and regulations until he absolutely must. There are also other issues on the horizon for the former president, including but not limited to the forced publication of his tax records. However, the New York businessman always seems to take the myriad lawsuits filed against him in stride.
Clear the Field, Folks
It's been said and perhaps rightly so that there are no secrets in Washington. Along those lines, one might postulate there are few coincidences as well. Just five days ago, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis publicly said rumors of his running for president in 2024 are "nonsense." DeSantis declared the buzz about his candidacy for president as "purely manufactured." It’s unlikely that any other Republican could achieve the foothold that Trump has with the GOP.
Donald Trump
(Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Meanwhile, over on the hard left, The New York Times is trying to drop its own hints regarding another run by The Donald. In an interview with Representative Jim Banks (R-IN) – who the paper intimates is nothing more than a Trump groupie – writer Reid J. Epstein quoted the congressman as saying, "He brings excitement among the Republican Party base that is unmatched by anybody else." Epstein's article carried a mild but distinct odor of progressive fear that Orange Man Bad might decide to jump back in the ring and slug it out with the Dems in 2024.
With each passing day, the evidence is mounting that 45 will make a bid to become 47. Only once has that been done in U.S. history. Grover Cleveland was the 22nd and 24th president, becoming the only American president to serve two non-consecutive terms. However, there are plenty who lost the first time around, ran again, and won, including Thomas Jefferson, Andrew Jackson, William Henry Harrison, and, of course, the most recent – Richard M. Nixon.
Even at this early stage, the drums of political war are starting to rumble in the distance. Will it be Trump versus Biden (not likely) or Harris (how delicious) or another Democrat-du-jour is anyone's guess. But the first part – that is “Trump versus” – you can pretty much take to the bank. Still, politics is a strange business and obstacles have a way of popping up at odd times. But if it is simply a matter of whether Trump wants and plans to run for president again, then there is little doubt that if he can, he will.
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Read more from Leesa K. Donner.
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