Wednesday, November 16, 2022

He's baaaaaack

As expected, former POTUS Donald Trump confirmed his plans for 2024.


"In order to make America great and glorious again, I am tonight announcing my candidacy for president of the United States," Trump said, to cheers from his supporters.


Outside of the "Trump cultists," this news was received with either disdain or apathy by notable right-of-center news/opinion outlets.


 



 

Heck, even Fox News Channel didn't carry the entirety of the live announcement during a show hosted by Trump's top media bobo in Sean Hannity (CNN apparently aired the whole thing, but they shouldn't expect Trump to be a ratings elixir this time around).

Given we're a week removed from an Election Day where GOP Congressional candidates horribly underperformed (specifically the majority of Trump-endorsed candidates), the stink of failure was still emanating from Trump as he announced his run. While he may believe that the majority of Republican supporters will wave off his being twice impeached as President or his unprovoked attacks on successful GOP governors, the fact is his '24 launch is off to an inauspicious beginning with people whom he once considered staunch allies. How inauspicious? Well, Trump's top megadonors and key figures from his presidential administration (including eldest daughter Ivanka) are all taking a pass on being involved with him in any facet of this campaign. 


Leave aside his boorish & egomaniacal leadership as President, the toxic environment he created in the White House, the undermining of political candidates within his own party and the sheer lack of statesmanship. Trump should not run because he has one indisputable disadvantage among the potential candidates who may challenge him for the GOP nomination: He can only serve one term. Given the likely quagmire that a Republican President would face were he or she elected in 2024, it would require at least eight years to right the proverbial ship. Plus I think we've had enough of the "boomers" (regardless of political party) serving in both the Executive and Legislative branches of government. Time for a fresh perspective. 

As of now, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is looked at as the only formidable candidate to topple Trump. While I believe there are many more candidates who should be given serious consideration, it appears at this point that the base will consider only DeSantis as an alternative to Trump. Obviously a lot can change over the next several months, so I can only hope Trump becomes further irrelevant in that time. 

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