Casting America as a basket case of decay and economic disaster, former President Donald Trump declared his candidacy for the 2024 presidential race on Tuesday. Everything about Trump’s speech delivery — an hourlong rambling monologue of lies, complaints and wild exaggerations — was exhausting to watch and no doubt frustrating for Republican leaders who hope to recover from the Nov. 8 midterm disappointment and rebuild their party without him at the top of the ticket.
Trump is back, whether Republicans want him or not. A big question is whether Democrats want him back. He’s like a migraine that won’t go away, yet he might be the most beatable Republican in the foreseeable 2024 lineup.
At least for now, Trump will have to campaign without a lot of the advantages he enjoyed before. Rupert Murdoch’s media conglomerate, which includes Fox News and The Wall Street Journal, has pulled its support and begun openly criticizing Trump. The congressional leadership appears to be distancing itself, leaving the likes of wacko Reps. Matt Gaetz of Florida and Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia as his principal cheerleaders. Even Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley is refusing to raise a fist in Trump’s defense.
