Former President Donald Trump said in an interview with New York magazine, published this week, that he has already made up his mind about launching a third presidential run in 2024.
Despite the mocking tone of reporter Olivia Nuzzi, the former president opened up about the process of running and the fact that he has already made a decision about his much-anticipated second campaign against Joe Biden.
Nuzzi reported how the former president told her over the telephone that his fans were more adoring than ever before, and that he feels very confident that if he decides to run, he will succeed.
Trump Feels Confident About His Chances
“Look,” the former president said. “I feel very confident that, if I decide to run, I’ll win.”
When pushed on whether he does intend to run, Nuzzi noted that 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?”
Trump Could Sway the Midterms if He Announces Before
The comment appeared to be a reference to the upcoming midterm elections in November. Typically, presidential campaigns are announced after the midterm elections – but there is nothing typical about former President Donald Trump. However, if he does announce before the midterms, he’ll be held responsible for how well the GOP performs. If the party underperforms, it could hurt Trump’s chances and indicate to the party that it’s time to move on.
If the GOP takes back control of at least one chamber of Congress, however, then the former president could just cement his position as leader of the party and guarantee himself the nomination for 2024.
Whether the former president is running or not is still technically in question, given that making such an announcement would expose Trump to campaign finance laws that restrict how he can spend PAC money. Most people, however, would say that the former president plans to run again.
Will a Trump Announcement Be a Surprise?
All the evidence suggests he will, and Trump also told Nuzzi that his mind is made up.
“Well, in my own mind, I’ve already made that decision, so nothing factors in anymore,” he said. “In my own mind, I’ve already made that decision.”
Beyond the many campaign stops in swing states, and the packed rallies reminiscent of his 2016 campaign, former President Donald Trump has also reportedly begun convening some of his biggest donors for intimate dinners. Politico reported how, in recent weeks, Trump has met with wealthy and high-profile donors to discuss his 2024 election campaigns, and discussed the topic of when he should make his official announcement during the private dinners.
Jack Buckby is a British author, counter-extremism researcher, and journalist based in New York. Reporting on the U.K., Europe, and the U.S., he works to analyze and understand left-wing and right-wing radicalization, and reports on Western governments’ approaches to the pressing issues of today. His books and research papers explore these themes and propose pragmatic solutions to our increasingly polarized society.
