Like a giant puzzle, in a slow yet captivating manner, the 2024 presidential election is taking shape with former President Donald Trump leading the pack on the GOP side.
Thus far, the billionaire real estate mogul is the only person who has officially launched his candidacy.
Trump could not make as much noise as he did in 2016 when he launched his bid for the White House against an army of seasoned rivals.
Donald Trump failed to bring back the elements, (the roaring crowd, the build-up with the Hollywoodesque moment that was created when he and his wife, Melania Trump, descended the famous escalator, and the controversial and headline-making speech), that made his first announcement riveting and historical.
While Trump might not be as popular as he was six years ago, he is still very much bombastic and powerful. The real estate mogul jumps on all opportunities to demonstrate his power over his opponents.
As Ron DeSantis tries to pierce through the spotlight by talking about all he plans to do to make Florida great again, Trump is boasting about being instrumental in the most significant political coup of 2023 — Rep. Kevin McCarthy‘s messy election as House Speaker.
Taking to his Truth Social platform, Donald Trump said he is still the Republican Party’s most powerful political kingmaker and gleefully took full credit for swaying numerous Freedom Caucus lawmakers and anti-McCarthy Republicans to change their votes and support the Californian politician.
Trump stated: “The Fake News Media was, believe it or not, very gracious in their reporting that I greatly helped Kevin McCarthy attain the position of Speaker of the House. Thank you, I did our country a big favor!”
Kevin McCarthy said via CNN that Trump is as formidable as ever, and his power and influence are impressive.
He revealed: “I do want to especially thank President Trump. I don’t think anybody should doubt his influence. He was with me from the beginning … And he was all in. He would call me, and he would call others.”
Kevin McCarthy confirmed that Donald Trump is indeed a top player in the GOP with a plan for the county.
He shared: “And he really was — I was just talking to him tonight — helping get those final votes. And what he’s really saying really for the party and the country that we have to come together. We have to focus on the economy. We’ve got to focus and make our border secure. We’ve got so much work to do, and he was a great influence in making that all happen. So, thank you, President Trump.”
McCarthy’s win has added some steam to Trump’s sleepy campaign. The former reality TV star turned politician has taken the show on the road with a fiery stop in New Hampshire.
Donald Trump did not use the event to attack his top Republican opponent — Ron DeSantis. However, Trump gave the Governor of Florida the ugly nickname DeSanctimonious and claimed that he failed voters by “shutting down Florida and its beaches during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Trump also claimed that DeSantis would be “disloyal” to him if he ran in 2024.
He wrote on Truth Social: “The revelations about Ron DeSanctimonious doing FAR WORSE than many other Republican governors, including that he unapologetically shut down Florida and its beaches, was interesting, indeed.”
Using his initials, Trump revealed: “DJT leading BIG!!!” This week, the Washington Post confirmed that “Ron DeSantis’ advisors are actively preparing for a 2024 presidential run.”
He will make the announcement in the spring of 2023 and plans to make moves in New Hampshire and Iowa.
DeSantis is currently leading Trump in most polls.
