Win for Joe as ‘healthy’ Trump flags run

WASHINGTON: Donald Trump hailed himself as the “healthiest president ever” in contrast to Joe Biden as he cemented his position as the overwhelming favourite to be the Republicans’ next presidential nominee at a conference for party faithful.

While Mr Biden scored a significant victory after 18 months of negotiations when the Senate passed his ambitious climate, tax and healthcare plan, Mr Trump was the star speaker at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Texas.

A straw poll of delegates on their preferred candidate for 2024 gave Mr Trump 69 per cent support, way out in front of his nearest rival Ron DeSantis, who had 24 per cent.

In a thinly veiled attack on Mr Biden, 79, who has been isolating after testing positive for Covid, Mr Trump lauded his own fortitude, boasting that his former White House doctor Ronny Jackson “loved looking at my body … it was so strong, powerful.

“He said I’m the healthiest president that’s ever lived.”

The 76-year-old then teased that he will reveal his decision to run soon: “We’ll be making an announcement in the not too distant future.”

Mr Biden, meanwhile, was buoyed by his win in the Senate, a critical moment before crucial midterm elections.

Democrats approved the $430bn ($620bn) spending plan, officially known as the “Inflation Reduction Act”, which will go to the House of Representatives next week.

The plan would include the biggest US investment ever on climate – $US370bn aimed at effecting a 40 per cent drop in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.