Trump confirms another run
FORMER United States president Donald Trump has confirmed he will officially mount a third campaign for the White House, in an early start to the 2024 contest.
Tuesday’s announcement came just a week after an underwhelming mid-term elections showing for Republicans, and will force the party to decide whether to embrace a candidate whose refusal to accept defeat in 2020 pushed American democracy to the brink.
“In order to make America great and glorious again, I am tonight announcing my candidacy for president of the United States,” Mr Trump said to an audience of several hundred supporters, club members and gathered press at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.
“America’s comeback starts right now,” Mr Trump added, formally beginning the 2024 Republican primary.
Another campaign is a remarkable turn for any former president, much less one who made history as the first to be impeached twice and whose term ended with his supporters violently storming the US Capitol in a deadly bid to halt the peaceful transition of power on January 6 last year.
Far from the undisputed leader of the party, Mr Trump is facing criticism from some of his own allies, who say it is time for Republicans to look to the future, with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis emerging as an early favourite to be a White House contender.