If there is one man in politics who knows how to make an entrance, it’s former President Trump and he chose to make a big one to announce his candidacy for President in 2024. Hosted at his Mar-a-Lago, Florida home, he made it incredibly clear when he took the stage that he was there looking to change the trajectory of American history. Given what has been thrown at him since he left office following the 2020 elections, it’s amazing he still wants to run.
Trump first won his time as President in 2016 by thoroughly trouncing Hillary Clinton. Should he succeed in winning the primary and then the Presidency in 2024, he would be the first man to do it since Grover Cleveland in 1892 after losing the office to Benjamin Harrison in 1888. It would also make him President 45 and 47.
To roars of thunderous applause, Trump made his declaration. “In order to make America great and glorious again, I am tonight announcing my candidacy for president of the United States. There has never been anything like it, this great movement of ours. And perhaps there will never be anything like it again. America’s comeback starts right now.”
With Georgia having a run-off for a Senate seat, many wanted Trump to wait to make his declaration. Many feared that it could impact that race and send voters on the fence going the wrong direction. The “red wave” many projected not landing as expected they are having to adjust fire for the party going forward.
As Democrats succeeding in keeping light control of the Senate, Republicans are still waiting for the final word about control of the House, but even then, it won’t be the stronghold many were projecting. This lighter victory was especially shocking as Trump-endorsed candidates were sweeping the primaries to take the GOP nominations. Many anticipated that such thorough victories would, in turn, spell certain victory for these candidates in the actual elections.
Coming back for the Presidency in 2024 is one of the boldest moves Trump can make right now as the economy has been torpedoed over the last 2 years. As such, it was the biggest concern for voters during the 2022 midterm elections, with record-breaking inflation people are yearning for a change. This desire is what likely pushed Trump to come back so quickly to declare his candidacy.
This kind of announcement is especially polarizing, and many fear that he wouldn’t be successful again. Given how strong the economy was under Trump, there is good reason to think he could win. During his time in office, the Dow closed above 20,000 for the first time in 2017 and topped 30,000 in 2020. The S&P and Nasdaq also followed with their own record highs.
Trump delivered on his promises and cut the red tape by reducing regulations that were limiting American businesses and workers. The return of policies that brought back supply chains from overseas reinforced his “Make America Great Again” slogan and messages of “America First.” He also made it government policy to “Buy American and Hire American” to keep those jobs here on our shores.
Energy has been another big issue for Americans. While not condemning or demonizing electric vehicles, Trump made the US the number one producer of oil and natural gas in the world. In-kind, President Biden put an immediate end to that when he took office. Since then the lower prices and security in the industry that Trump brought to the country have been wiped out.
Love him or hate him, many of his moves made America a more successful country. He also was outspoken about what he was accused of. When called out on not paying taxes, he told them it was because he was smart, and political donors were doing the same thing. He pulled back the curtain for all to see, and we need that again.
