Donald Trump plans to hold his first presidential campaign event of the year in South Carolina later this month as part of a gradual rollout rather than a return to his raucous rallies after a quiet launch that was deemed underwhelming.
(Bloomberg) — Donald Trump plans to hold his first presidential campaign event of the year in South Carolina later this month as part of a gradual rollout rather than a return to his raucous rallies after a quiet launch that was deemed underwhelming.
The former president is holding an “intimate” event in the early primary state as he continues to meet with donors and builds out his campaign behind the scenes, according to a source familiar with his activities. Politico first reported the plans.
Trump campaign advisers told Politico it doesn’t make sense to start holding Trump’s signature rallies and spending large amounts of money so early in the 2024 cycle.
Trump has opened a campaign headquarters in West Palm Beach, launched a campaign website and released policy videos vowing to wage war on drug cartels and stop what he called “Silicon Valley censorship” if elected, but he hasn’t held a major campaign event outside of his Florida home since he announced his third White House bid on Nov. 15.
Since then Trump has faced backlash for dining with the antisemitic rapper formerly known as Kanye West and White nationalist Nick Fuentes and suggesting Constitutional provisions be terminated to reinstate him. He also teased a “major announcement” that was hawking NFT trading cards for $99 each.
Trump advisers have said the low-profile start is by design and is focused setting the foundation for an overwhelming campaign.
But the move comes after Trump attempts to cement his grip on the party and ward off 2024 challengers backfired. He was widely blamed for the GOP’s disappointing midterm results after his hand-picked candidates lost key races in what Republicans expected to be a “red wave.”
So far, Trump is the only candidate to formally declare. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who’s leading Trump in some hypothetical 2024 polling match-ups, is widely expected to run, and several GOP candidates are considering White House bids and laying the groundwork for potential campaigns.
They including former Vice President Mike Pence; former Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley of South Carolina; former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo; US Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina; outgoing Maryland Governor Larry Hogan; and former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson.
“The more the merrier,” Trump said in an interview with the Revolver released Jan. 3. A crowded field in 2016 allowed Trump to capture the GOP nomination when he won South Carolina and other states with only about a third of the vote, and he’s counting on his loyal base to stick with him in 2024.
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