Former US President Donald Trump has launched his campaign for the 2024 election with appearances in two states. In New Hampshire and South Carolina, the Republican presented his respective teams for the election campaign on Saturday. The 76-year-old said he was angrier and more committed than ever. Trump also repeated his lie about voter fraud and again claimed to have won the 2020 election against current President Joe Biden. He also said that under his leadership there would never have been a Russian war of aggression in Ukraine.
In South Carolina, Trump received support from local Republican Senator Lindsey Graham. Both New Hampshire and South Carolina are among the states that start the Republican primary early. Internal party votes will decide who will run for the party’s presidency in 2024. The election will take place in November next year. For the Democrats, Biden has so far left open whether he will run again.
Sharp attack on Biden
The predecessor who was voted out attacked his successor heavily in the two appearances. Trump accused Biden of leading the world to the brink of a third world war. He also echoed many earlier statements, such as the claim that murderers, rapists and terrorists were being sent to the United States through the Mexican border.
Trump had already declared his application to the Republicans in November, after the recent midterm elections. So far, no opposing Republican candidate has dared to break cover. Several prominent Republicans are said to have ambitions. Among them are Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Trump’s former Vice President Mike Pence and his former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
If Florida Gov. DeSantis enters the race, polls say he could become Trump’s closest competitor. He was re-elected governor in the midterm elections with almost 60 percent. Trump himself did not stand for election in November. However, the poor performance of many of the candidates he supported weakened him within the party.
Legal pressure
Trump is also under legal pressure. Various investigations are currently underway against him – also because he illegally took hundreds of secret documents from the office. If re-elected, Trump would be the first U.S. president to serve two non-consecutive terms since Grover Cleveland in the late 1800s.
