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Trump was rather low-energy but got in many of his favorite digs.
Donald Trump, as expected, announced his 2024 presidential bid Tuesday evening.
"Tonight I am again announcing my candidacy for president of the United States," he said to an audience at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Fla.
He was rather subdued, by Trumpian standards, but he got in many of his usual digs about the "fake news media," "the China virus," and "radical left Democrats that are trying to destroy our country from within." That was after promising to unify the nation.
He also had his usual lack of factual information: Having served four years, he claimed he'd gone "decades" without a war. He distorted his effect on last week's midterm election, which saw voters reject most of the candidates closely associated with him. He claimed his record was 232 wins, 22 losses. He called American cities "cesspools of violent crimes," a less than accurate depiction.
Trump faces numerous obstacles as he seeks the Republican nomination, although that doesn't mean he should be counted out, as no one expected him to win the nomination or the presidency in 2016.
Political observers are talking about several other GOPers as potential nominees. They include Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a onetime Trump ally who's now the subject of the former president's barbs; Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin; former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo; Trump's vice president, Mike Pence; and even U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney, who lost her primary this year after bucking her party to oppose Trump and join in the investigation of the insurrection of January 6, 2021.
Trump has failed to comply with a subpoena from the congressional committee investigating the events of January 6, and he has other legal troubles too -- investigations of his company's finances, his interference in Georgia's election in 2020, and his possession of classified documents after leaving the White House. "It's extremely likely that Trump and others are going to face criminal charges," legal expert Norm Eisen recently told reporters, according to The Hill.
LGBTQ+ groups, reproductive rights activists, and basically anyone who isn't hard right would certainly not welcome another four years of Trump. "Another Donald Trump presidency presents a serious threat to our nation's LGBTQ community, which continues to face rampant homophobia and transphobia fueled by his divisiveness," said a statement released by LGBTQ Victory Fund President and CEO Annise Parker. "Donald Trump and those who wish to follow in his footsteps continue to use our community -- and LGBTQ kids in particular -- as political pawns in their quest for power.
"When our fundamental rights are challenged, our kids' safety and well-being are threatened and our leaders are terrorized, going back is not an option. Donald Trump is one of the most bigoted leaders of our time and his continued anti-LGBTQ rhetoric and actions are dangerous and unqualifying.
"With this year's Rainbow Wave, it's clear our community has never been more powerful or unified. We will leverage this momentum into 2023 and 2024 as we use every ounce of our strength to support fiercely pro-equality, pro-choice leaders ready to defend our community. The next presidential election is an opportunity for voters to break from candidates who promote the politics of hate and instead choose a leader who supports fairness and equality for all Americans."
Human Rights Campaign Interim President Joni Madison had this to say: "We in the LGBTQ+ community have watched over the past seven years as Donald Trump's hateful language and discriminatory policies have emboldened waves of bigotry, disinformation and violence. Even as Republican voters have become increasingly supportive of LGBTQ+ people -- registering majority approval of nondiscrimination projections and marriage equality -- he and his extremist MAGA supporters have worked tirelessly to try to slander and demonize us, our relationships, and our families. His time in office saw a relentless onslaught of unconscionable executive orders that made it harder to live as an LGBTQ+ person in this country.
"A majority of Americans rejected Donald Trump twice, and we expect that voters will again reject his malevolent, dystopian vision for our country. Trumpism failed again in this year's midterm election, with his endorsed candidates rejected by voters in crucial Senate, gubernatorial, and down ballot races in states such as Arizona, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. In 2024, he is bound to fail once again, and the Human Rights Campaign will work to mobilize the 62 million 'Equality Voters' -- for whom LGBTQ+ equality is a make-or-break issue -- to stand together in opposition to his candidacy, and to ensure Trump forever remains a one-term president."
GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis put out this statement: "GLAAD documented more than 200 attacks against LGBTQ people throughout the Trump-Pence administration. It was an administration defined by anti-LGBTQ actions and rhetoric and policy that empowered white supremacists and fueled racism, xenophobia, antisemitism, and misogyny. The unmistakable message from the 2022 midterms is that Americans value freedom, support the democratic process, and reject the divisive policies of the recent past. GLAAD urges the media to include former President Trump's record against LGBTQ equality in their campaign reporting."
People for the American Way incoming President Svante Myrick offered this: "Donald Trump may want to be reelected, but the tide has turned and he's swimming against it. There was no Red Wave this year. Trump's highest-profile election deniers lost their own elections. Americans voted overwhelmingly in favor of abortion rights. And young voters, who came out in droves, are looking for fresh leadership. That was clear in numerous down-ballot races where newcomers and young, progressive candidates won. This is the time to reinvigorate our democracy by investing in that pipeline of young leaders, who will excite and engage voters who are looking toward the future, not the past."
Jaime Harrison, the chairman of the Democratic National Committee, issued this statement: "Today is just the kickoff to what will be a messy Republican primary with candidates competing to be the most extreme MAGA Republican in the race. The DNC will be ready for them all."
