How Trump silently prepared ground for 2024 return

Donald Trump’s bid to secure Republican endorsements for his potential White House return has unfolded quietly since early 2021. Despite the Capitol attack and impeachment, Trump has orchestrated a meticulous campaign, hosting dinners, fundraisers, and rallies, gaining significant support from elected Republicans in Congress.

TRUMP’S STRATEGIC OUTREACH

The landscape is witnessing a surprising shift as Trump garners endorsements not just from loyal voters but also from GOP lawmakers, creating a formidable momentum for his potential nomination.

His strategic outreach, spanning from House leadership to the hard-right House Freedom Caucus, reflects a broad unity within the party, making his nomination seem increasingly inevitable.

While some Republican senators, including Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, remain cautious, Trump’s relentless pursuit of full-throated endorsements continues.

This approach starkly contrasts with warnings from experts about the risks of undermining the results of free and fair elections.

“I don’t have any announcement to make on the presidential election. In fact, you all may recall I’ve stayed essentially out of it,” said McConnell ahead of New Hampshire, reported by AP.

The holdouts, though notable, are becoming overshadowed by the growing wave of endorsements. Trump’s team asserts that winning over sceptics has been smoother than anticipated, emphasising the absence of pressure campaigns.

Even lawmakers like Senators Ted Cruz and Josh Hawley, who played key roles in Trump’s post-election efforts, faced his warnings on social media before eventually endorsing him. The sway Trump holds over the party is evident, with support pouring in from both House and Senate Republicans.

“And if he’s re-elected in November, and I hope he is, I will again be Donald Trump’s strongest ally in the Senate,” Cruz told AP.

TRUMP SHAPING REPUBLICAN PARTY’S NARRATIVE

The endorsement race underscores a moment of transformation for the GOP, where those not aligning with Trump’s policies are considered for removal from the party, as indicated by key ally Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene.

The momentum behind Trump’s endorsements has positioned him as the dominant force in shaping the Republican Party’s narrative. As he accumulates support, concerns about the party’s stance on election results persist, echoing the broader debate about the health of democratic institutions.

The strategic orchestrations by Trump’s team, led by former White House Political Director Brian Jack, have facilitated the endorsements. This effort, coupled with Trump’s extensive relationship-building within the party, underscores the depth of his influence.

As the campaign progresses, Trump’s focus on endorsements remains unwavering. Despite some holdouts, the majority of Republican senators and House members have rallied behind him, reflecting a united front as he eyes the GOP nomination.

A longtime Trump backer, GOP Sen. Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming, said after making her endorsement in time for Iowa she expects to meet with Trump within 30 days to talk about her priorities in her state.

To those who are still holding out, Rep. Byron Donalds, told the AP at Trump’s victory party in Nashua, “It’s not about the train leaving the station or one of those political cliches everybody likes to use. It’s about having a united Republican Party and winning back the White House in 2024.”

Rep. William Timmons was among the South Carolina lawmakers that Trump’s campaign brought to New Hampshire to appear at a rally in a display of force.

South Carolina’s primary is next month, and Timmons said he was working to win over Republican colleagues, “putting the hard press” on those who had previously backed Scott.

His message to those who have yet to endorse Trump: “Come on in. The water’s fine,” he said, reported AP.