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| Photo Credit: AP. |
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has indicated interest he would join the race for the 2024 White House race, saying “I’ve already made that decision”, according to multiple reports.
A report by
The Washington Post said some of Trump’s closest advisers have been pushing him
to abide by historic norms of announcing a presidential bid after the midterm
election cycle to avoid blame if Republicans underperform, while others have
been pushing for an earlier bid to scare off rivals amid signs of weakening
support among Republican voters, according to The Washington Examiner.
A similar
report by Politico indicated that Trump has been discussing the timing of his
announcement with “some of his wealthiest and highest profile supporters” at
recent dinners, according to The Washington Examiner.
“Well, in my
own mind, I’ve already made that decision, so nothing factors in anymore. In my
own mind, I’ve already made that decision,” Trump told New York Magazine.
Trump would
most likely announce his decision before or after the midterm elections.
“I would say
my big decision will be whether I go before or after,” he said. “You understand
what that means?”
“I just
think that there are certain assets to before,” Trump said in favor of announcing
his decision before the midterm elections to make him a factor in the race.
“Let people
know,” he said. “I think a lot of people would not even run if I did that
because, if you look at the polls, they don’t even register. Most of these
people. And I think that you would actually have a backlash against them if
they ran. People want me to run.”
Trump is facing some strong contenders in the Republican Party such as Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis who is believed to be his closest GOP rival.
DeSantis is
favored among New Hampshire voters according to a recent poll and is expected
to fare better than President Joe Biden in the state’s general election contest
if he secures the nomination.
A poll this
week found roughly half of republicans would not vote for Trump.
Mr Trump has
been facing a number of allegations as the January 6 panel continues to hold
its sitting at the Capitol Hill. Several former White House aides have openly
testified against him accusing him of orchestrating the deadly siege on
Congress on January 6 2021 in a bid to overturn the 2020 elections and remain
in power. He has denied the allegations.