Trump Surprises Republicans with Presidential Bid Declaration... "Major Announcement on the 15th" (Summary)

Former U.S. President Donald Trump [Photo by Reuters]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] Former U.S. President Donald Trump announced that he will make a major announcement on the 15th (local time). Initially, there were reports that he might declare his 2024 presidential bid a day before the U.S. midterm elections, but the Republican Party, concerned about rallying Democratic voters, persuaded Trump not to do so, and it is reported that he postponed the announcement until after the midterm elections.

According to the Washington Post (WP) and others on the 7th, Trump said at a rally held in Ohio, "On Tuesday, November 15th, I will make a very big announcement at Mar-a-Lago, my residence in Palm Beach, Florida." He did not specify what the announcement would be. However, foreign media speculated that based on Trump’s recent remarks, it hinted at a presidential bid.

Earlier, WP reported citing multiple sources that Trump told his close aides at the Ohio rally that he would announce his presidential candidacy that day. Sources also said that some members of Trump’s family were expected to attend the event.

Meanwhile, senior Republican officials who have been trying for months to prevent Trump from announcing his candidacy before the midterms reportedly contacted him repeatedly on the same day. The Republican side has shown concern that if Trump announces his candidacy before the midterms, it could consolidate Democratic votes and drive them to the polls.

Sources said senior Republican officials persuaded Trump that announcing his candidacy on that day might be overshadowed by midterm election news, and that a later announcement would attract more attention, and it seems they succeeded. At the rally, Trump also said, "We do not want anything that interferes with the importance of tomorrow (the midterm election)."

WP emphasized that Trump often attempts to create tension and frequently reverses decisions based on advice from his aides. However, WP analyzed that Trump has felt a sense of crisis seeing his biggest intra-party rival, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, gaining public support recently, and wants to leverage the midterm election results, which is pushing the timing of his announcement earlier.

Trump’s announcement of his candidacy has been expected soon. On the 5th, during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania, he hinted at the imminent announcement by saying, "You will be very happy very soon." The U.S. political media Axios also reported that Trump is discussing with his closest aides how to announce his presidential bid on the 14th.

Meanwhile, Trump is expected to hold a large party at Mar-a-Lago, his residence, on the evening of the 8th, the day of the midterm elections.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.