Post-Trump or Trump... The US Republican Presidential Race Heats Up

Former President Donald Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis
[Photo by AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Joselgina] "Post-Trump or Trump?" Within the Republican Party, which received a far less impressive result than expected in the U.S. November 8 midterm elections, voices are growing louder that a new figure, not former President Donald Trump, is needed as the next presidential candidate two years from now. The series of accountability demands targeting former President Trump have become an opportunity for 'presidential hopefuls' to begin moving in earnest. However, former President Trump is expected to proceed with his presidential bid announcement as scheduled on the 15th (local time).

◆ DeSantis Surpasses Trump in Polls as 'Presidential Hopeful'

According to the Washington Post (WP) on the 13th, after the midterm elections, voices among Republicans, including close aides of former President Trump, have continued to call for a new leader rather than Trump himself. This is a consequence of increased calls holding former President Trump responsible for the Republican Party's failure to achieve a landslide victory (Red Wave) despite the overwhelmingly favorable environment for a referendum on the ruling party.

Behind the unexpected strong performance of the Democrats, there is an assessment that the anti-Trump faction consolidated their forces at the last minute. Some have also pointed out that former President Trump empowered candidates lacking qualifications, leading to consecutive defeats in key regions. Republican political strategist Scott Reed stated, "The decisive cause was that former President Trump endorsed many second-rate candidates."

In the midterm elections, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who secured re-election by an overwhelming margin, topped a Republican Party presidential preference poll, surpassing former President Trump.

According to a survey conducted by polling agency YouGov from the 9th to the 11th, after the midterm elections, 42% of Republican voters and pro-Republican independents preferred Governor DeSantis as the next Republican presidential candidate. In contrast, former President Trump's support stood at 35%. This marks a sharp reversal compared to a survey just a month ago, where former President Trump (45%) led Governor DeSantis (35%) by 10 percentage points.

Governor DeSantis has been cited as the strongest rival and alternative to former President Trump in the Republican Party's race for the 2024 U.S. presidential election. This month, Ken Griffin, CEO of hedge fund Citadel, which supports Republican political funding, publicly declared support for Governor DeSantis. Former President Trump, seemingly aware of this atmosphere, has recently raised overt warnings, saying, "(If Governor DeSantis) runs for president, he could get hurt very badly."

Besides Governor DeSantis, other 'post-Trump' figures mentioned include former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, former Vice President Mike Pence, and Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin. WP reported that these Republican presidential hopefuls are quietly assessing what results might come if they run for president, using the midterm elections as a turning point. Governor Youngkin has already hinted at a presidential bid. Former Vice President Pence plans to publish a book around the 15th, when former President Trump is expected to announce his candidacy.

◆ Trump to Declare Presidential Bid on the 15th as Scheduled?

Former President Trump, who aimed to carry momentum from the midterm election Red Wave to the presidency, now faces inevitable setbacks. His close aides are reportedly persuading him to postpone the major announcement originally scheduled for the 15th until after the Georgia Senate runoff election on December 6. It has been widely expected that former President Trump's presidential bid announcement would take place at that event.

However, former President Trump is showing strong determination toward his presidential campaign despite repeated accountability demands. Since the 'major announcement on the 15th = presidential bid declaration' has already been forecasted, postponing it could be interpreted as admitting responsibility for the election setbacks.

Earlier, former President Trump confirmed in an interview with Fox News shortly after the election that the schedule on the 15th would not change. He said, "We achieved tremendous success (in this election)," and questioned, "Why should we change?" In a post on Truth Social, he also self-assessed, "Although somewhat disappointing in some respects, from my personal perspective, it is a very big victory." These remarks are interpreted as drawing a line against the accountability directed at him while building public opinion that the party performed well thanks to him, thereby adding justification for his presidential bid.

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