Has Donald Trump been “cashed in” as he announces his 2024 candidacy?

Posted by: 11/15/2022 – 07:13

Donald Trump He promised a speech on Tuesday, November 15 that would be “the biggest announcement” and “the most important in the history of the United States.” If he confirms his candidacy for the 2024 race for the White House, future historians will doubtless appreciate differently the memorability of the announcement, made in an environment marked by giddiness.

The Republican billionaire called the press at his luxury home in Mar-a-Lago, Florida at 9pm (2am GMT Wednesday). “President Trump will announce his nominee for president on Tuesday,” one of his advisers, Jason Miller, promised, promising a “very professional, very polished” speech.

But with the November 8 midterm elections and the absence of a Republican “red tide” in Congress, Donald Trump is now seen as the main culprit in what is seen as a failure — Republicans failed to control the Senate Uncertainty still lingers over the fate of the House of Representatives.

>> See our discussion: “US midterm elections: Democrats pitted against Republicans”

Donald Trump’s kingmaker reputation has been severely damaged by his personal involvement during the campaign. Many of the new candidates who have received his support, especially in 2020, were attacked on November 8 for endorsing the thesis that Donald Trump was the victim of election fraud. The examples of Senate candidates Mehmet Oz in Pennsylvania and Blake Masters in Arizona continue to be highlighted. In all, they defeated more than two dozen Republican candidates — for the Senate, House of Representatives, or governor — backed by Donald Trump. According to a list maintained by Newsweek.

“Looking at the ratings, all the outgoing Republicans have been re-elected and the losers are Trumpists, except for JD Vance, the senator-elect from Ohio, and Joe Lombardo, the governor-elect of Nevada”, Jean-Eric Brana analyzes. Lecturer at Paris-Pantheon-Assas University, specialist in American politics.

“Third election in a row where Donald Trump will beat us”

While midterms are usually a vote for or against the president in the White House, Donald Trump’s omnipresence during the campaign has shifted the ballot: 32% of voters voted against Joe Biden, while 28% opposed Donald. trump, According to a poll cited by NBC News.

As a result, more and more Republicans want to turn on Donald Trump, casting a shadow over his presidential plans. “This is the third election in a row that Donald Trump has failed us,” Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan denounced Sunday on CNN, referring to the 2018 midterm elections, the 2020 presidential election and the 2022 midterm elections.

Other big names in the party, such as New Jersey Governor Chris Christie or former House Speaker Paul Ryan, have criticized Donald Trump for meddling in the campaign and acting as a foil to nonpartisan voters.

For his part, the former president plays the victim and, as usual, attacks the Republican Party. On Sunday, he lashed out more aggressively at the Senate’s Republican leader, Mitch McConnell, who had been a strong ally during his tenure but sidelined himself after the attack on the Capitol.

“He rigged the election and everyone despises him,” he bemoaned on his reality social network, accusing him of not investing enough money in the campaign of the plague masters, the candidate he supports in Arizona.

“He can no longer generate enough speed”

Donald Trump has also attacked media owned by President Rupert Murdoch, Fox News TV Channel and the New York Post newspaper for endorsing Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2024. On the front page, the day after the election, under the headline “Future,” he caricatured Donald Trump in the form of Humpty Dumpty before his funeral the next day. from a wall.

“Donald Trump is completely devalued. He can’t build enough momentum today. He still has fans who can go wild on social media, but next to that, he’s getting old. After all, when voters are waiting for a solution on inflation, the energy crisis, wages, he’ll do anything. Not provided.

Another obstacle complicating his ascension to the White House: his numerous legal troubles, which could disqualify him. The former president is the target of multiple investigations for his role in the January 6, 2021 attack on Congressional headquarters or the management of the White House archives.

Still, the businessman-turned-politician has proven in the past that he shouldn’t be buried too quickly. At age 76, he remains undeniably popular with a segment of the Republican electorate, and polls have consistently placed him as the winner of the Republican primary.