Following two years of political turbulence, former President Donald Trump announced his candidacy for the 2024 Presidential Election. His announcement, which came after a disappointing midterm election for the GOP, caused a stir amongst both parties, leaving many wondering about the likelihood of Trump winning re-election.
This campaign may prove to be the most challenging one yet for the Republican, as he will be tasked with navigating multiple lawsuits and the resulting blow to his reputation. Currently, Trump is being investigated by the Department of Justice regarding top-secret documents found in his house at Mar-a-Lago and his role in the insurrection on January 6th of 2021. Recently, Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed a special counsel to oversee the criminal investigations into the former President, further complicating the situation. These allegations could also put Trump’s ability to run for President at risk, as there is the potential that he could be disqualified from running for the position.
Also, Trump will be tasked with facing some of the fiercest political competition of his career, particularly within his own party. Many believe that Ron DeSantis, the governor of Florida, will run for the Republican nomination. Some speculate that DeSantis, one of the most popular governors in the nation, with an approval rating of 64%, will pose a serious threat to Trump and has a legitimate chance at outcompeting the former President, adding intra-party tension to an already important election.
Trump’s position as the leader of the Republican party is also in question because of the midterm elections. As previously mentioned, the midterms were disappointing for the Republican Party, which expected to win far more seats in both chambers. Most notably, a string of Trump-backed candidates lost, leading many to wonder if Trump is the party’s future. For example, in Pennsylvania’s 8th District, a district that voted for Trump in 2020, the Democratic candidate, Matt Cartwright, managed to keep the seat, beating out the Trump-endorsed Republican, Jim Bognet. This result, a surprise to many, illustrates the shift away from Trump that has occurred since the 2020 Presidential Election, subsequently making Trump’s third presidential bid possibly the most challenging one yet.
If Trump does manage to win in 2024, he will be the second president in history to win two non-consecutive terms, joining Grover Cleveland, the 22nd and 24th President of the United States. But for now, the only sure thing is that Trump will run again in 2024, amid legal troubles, fierce competition, and waning popularity.
